ive been taking copaxone for roughly 9 months, i didnt have any everyday noticable symptoms so im not sure if it brings reflief but i know at the injection site every day you will have pain and swelling for a few days. sorry im not much help this is just what i know

I started on rebif and still use it. My symptoms began a marked decrease after 3 months, but the biggest benefit I have found was when I began taking a massive dose of Vitamin D once a month.

I've taken Copaxone, Avonex and Tysabri but I won't count Copaxone in the next statement. In my opinion, none of the DMD's that I took made me feel any better, they just try to halt progression and I don't believe that they did that.

Have you thought about Gilenya? If you are going to take something everyday it might as well be a pill instead of a shot. Food for thought.

I had an alergic reaction to Copaxone and couldn't tolerate Rebif or Avonex. I had 24 Tysabri infusions and now I am on Gilenya.

Me too I love just taking a pill a day, I was also on Tysabri my symtoms are pretty much the same BUT I have had no new leisions I am scared of getting worse symptoms, I dont think I could bare it.....

I did consider the daily pill but since I have to drive 3 hours for the initial set up I kind of put that out of my mind. Yes the daily would be bothersome but no more than diabetes daily. So IDK I was just curious its summer so I not doing the best but I have no interest in feeling worse.

I have been on copaxone for 1 year. I just know there are no new lesions...but I struggle daily with MS. The injection therapies are to slow down the chance of new lesions forming....as far as ones already there, they are still there. I question all the time as to why am I even taking this, I am no better???????

@Dianne882, I understand, I am sure I have lesions why else would I have fatigue, just not to the point that I am having other problems.

The MS Society is sponsoring a study for people taking Copaxone. It is for studying the effects of vitamin D.

Both groups are taking Copaxone. One group is taking 600 units of vitamin D a day and the other group is taking 4000 units of vitamin D a day along with their Copaxone.

So I figure that the vitamin D will probably help me and I am upping my dose of vitamin D from 1000-2000 units a day to 3000-4000 units a day. I don't think that it can hurt.

I take Rebif and have side effects. I took it before and the side effects never went away. It gives me headaches and scar tissue and that never goes away. I take meds for the headaches.

As far as injection site side effects, I understand that massaging the site (at least for Rebif) can help the med spread after injecting and help prevent the scar tissue (now they tell me!). Also, making sure that there is no medicine on the needle when you inject can help the inj site reactions. The nurse told me that for Rebif. Talk to the toll-free number that Copaxone should provide you.

As their nurses. That is what they are paid for. I hope that they can help you.

I am sorry that you have diabetes type 1 as well. You have it tough. I have diabetes in my family. So diet is what really helps your diabetes and your MS. My best goes out to you.

I friend I know that took Copaxone had inj site bumps on her wherever she gave herself the shots. They healed up within a few days. She just had to put up with them. That was years ago and she moved away. I don't think that she stayed on Copaxone because of other side effects though.

E.

@ Ezone, with the diabetes diet and exercise still make little dfferenence regarding my diabetes as I am type 1, I do watch what I eat though with WW diet. I am going to up my vit D to see if that will assist, it has always been low regardless of 5,000 mg weekly g

xavier,
I absolutely noticed a difference in my simptoms when starting Avonex. My numbness and tingling in arms and hands went away completely. I do occasionally get headaches, but they could be caused by anything. I also take probiotics, Vit D, COQ10, and a slew of other drugs. I think it would be quite wise to up your Vitamin D dose. Judging from all the responses here, every drug may have it's own side affects. Injection site bruising, flu like symptoms, scar tissue, you name it, but when it comes right down to it, it just depends on the person. You will find what works for you, have patience and don't give up!!

B