Copaxone feel nervous??? Symptom? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

lillyfields · 05-26-2009, 03:47 PM

I started taking Copaxone a week ago and after about day 4 I started feeling really nervous. I have constant butterflies even though I am not worried about anything. Did anyone else have this problem while on Copaxone??? I know hat it is listed as a side effect. It is funny how the big booklet I was given on Copaxone and how it works and it is supposed to be much safer then the others, but they also give you the little black and white folded up info tucked in the back with all these possible side effects and problems that the big happy booklet does not mention. This just blows my mind. Anyway anyone else get nervous and have really painfull injections. They say they r supposed to feel like a bee sting. Well to me it feels like a bee stinging me with a 6 inch stinger over and over for 15 minutes and a few stabs in between the stings. Is this just me???????????

MSNik · 05-26-2009, 04:55 PM

Lilly- I dont know much about nervousness, but the one week that I took Copaxone, I wound up in the hospital having anaphalatic shock. (sp?). I couldnt breathe...the shots to me felt like someone was breaking my arm- the pain was insane...and the reactions each night were HUGE hives, HUGE welts and shortness of breathe. When it got so bad that I was rushed to the hosptial without being able to breathe, I stopped taking Copaxone. 3 months later, I was on Rebif and have never had a problem with it.
So the side effects are there- you should probably be discussing this with your prescribing doctor as soon as you can...this isnt something you want happening to you. Besides, the epi shots are 100x bigger then the copaxone ones- and trust me, they hurt, too!

Nikki

sodapopper · 05-27-2009, 06:09 AM

I've been on Copaxone for almost 1 1/2 years. I don't get the anxiety you are talking about, but in the beginning I had to put a cold compress on the post injection site. The pain with injection improved with time. Not sure why-maybe I just got used to it. Also-first couple of weeks I would get a small dime sized whelt. Don't get that anymore either. If it is hurting really bad- make sure that you are not injecting too deeply. If you get into the muscle instead of just the fatty tissue, it is a killer. Could the anxious nervous feeing be coming from the stress of getting a shot everyday. That is something new for you. In the beggining I wasn't nervous about giving myself a shot-but it was an adjustment and the thought of what if I have a reaction was there. Have you called shared solutions about this. I had a concern one day and they were very helpful. Good luck!!

happy513 · 05-29-2009, 07:36 AM

Hi Lilly. My husband started taking Copaxone 4 weeks ago. I am wondering if the nervousness you are feeling is anxiety. Because for myself when I take a medication and read the side affects, my brain sometimes thinks it is feeling those side affects (i dont know if that is considered hypochondriac, but you know what I mean). I try not to read the side affects listed, but just monitor any unusual feelings. My husbands main side affects with Copaxone is a severe burning sensation for about 20 minutes afterwards. However, when we got to spot 3 on the arm he felt like someone had run his elbow over. Also, a welt right around the injection site and some soreness that lasts about a day in that area. Certain areas hurt worse than others for him (the abdomen and hip), so in those areas he will take a Xanax about 20 mins before he takes it. Maybe you should try that and see if it helps you relax a little. My husband is a newbie to Copaxone too - but I hope that was some help. I will keep you in my prayers.

florencem64 · 06-29-2009, 05:31 PM

Hi I have been on Copaxone for about two weeks and the only side effects I have gotten is the slight burning a after the injections that only last for about five minutes. I have had two really bad bruises after two injections one on my abdomin and one on my thigh I called shared solutions and they told me it is sometimes normal to bruise but I also found out I gave myself the injection to high on my stomach thats why I got the bruise there but the one on my thigh might just be because I hit a capulary or something. I guess I am still learning. Warm compresses help with the burning. I would really suggest you call your doctor or at least Shared Solutions and discuss the way you are feeling. I hope everyone stays well!!! Flo