Avonex vs. Copaxone - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

crystal22 · 12-02-2005, 12:43 AM

I've been on Avonex for about a year now, and I'm getting very sick of it. My poor muscles are tired of getting poked. I know that the other meds are sub Q and the needles are way smaller, so I was thinking of switching to Copaxone. What do you all think? Are there less side effects with the Copaxone? And is it worth doing a shot every day? Any input would be great.

lilc · 12-02-2005, 05:32 AM

Crystal, I can't compare because I never tried Avonex, but have been on Copaxone for 3 weeks. No side effects. I've also made 2 cross country trips and one international trip during the past 3 weeks, have found it hasn't been a problem to do the daily shots. As a "newbie" to injecting, I think it's a pretty good testimonial!

evolution88 · 12-02-2005, 07:49 AM

Please keep those opinions coming, I've been considering a change for a about four months now.

I tried the powdered form of Avonex and it is a lot easier on the system, but I'm still interested in Copaxone. (Although I travel for work)

Also, there was a recent article written which published the results of some of the longer term effects of Copaxone. In the albeit limited study, they found that Copaxone appeared to actually repair some of the damage done by prior MS attacks. The repairs appears to have actually been with the conductivity of the nerves.

I think I can type this, if you do an internet search and use the terms Copaxone, may, repair, nerve, and damage, the article should come up.

I believe that Avonex has had some of the same results; it reduced the number of MRI viewable lesions. Not sure if that means the same thing or not.

Anyway, I hope everyone will keep posting their opinions and experiences.

tgronich · 12-02-2005, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystal22

I've been on Avonex for about a year now, and I'm getting very sick of it. My poor muscles are tired of getting poked. I know that the other meds are sub Q and the needles are way smaller, so I was thinking of switching to Copaxone. What do you all think? Are there less side effects with the Copaxone? And is it worth doing a shot every day? Any input would be great.

Hi Crystal,

My name is Tony. I am a 56 year old practicing dentist in El Paso, TX and was diagnosed back in 1997, although I've had various minor symptoms since 1982.

My current symptoms are very very minor in any case. I am able to practice and have had no motor problems at all. Mostly just numbness. Very lucky so far.

I started taking Copaxone in 1998 and used it daily for 2 years before suffering a mild relapse. I really felt the Copaxone was not working for me, so I switched to Avonex. I went 5 years before having another relapse, so I feel that it is more effective (though obviously not completely effective) for me.

The advantage of Copaxone, in my opinion, is it's lack of side effects. The disadvantage is the daily shots. Those little sub Q needles sting like the devil.

The advantage of Avonex, on the other hand, is that it is only weekly. And it is intra-muscular. The needle is way longer. And though this seems like it would be worse than the sub cutaneous shots, I don't think it is. The disadvantage of Avonex, of course, is the side effects, which for me can occasionally be pretty miserable.

But I wouldn't go back to the Copaxone. From somebody who gives shots all day long for a living, I think Copaxone is a whole lot more painful.

Hopes this opinion helps. Good luck.

baddoey · 12-02-2005, 11:35 AM

Ive been on copaxone for about 7 months now. . shots suck, plain and simple. I don't feel the shot going in at all but there is this burning sensation after - like a bee sting . . I have nothing to compare it to. . but it has just become part of my day now. I do get some itching and bruising, but I've gotten used to looking at that as well. . just the way that it is. .