copaxone? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

ohdeb · 06-20-2003, 08:46 AM

Hi. I have a very dear friend with MS. She has been going through a flair pretty badly in the last 2 months. She cannot drive any longer, she is falling due to not being able to feel her feet and legs. She is going to begin Copaxone and is hoping this will help her at least get back to where she was 2 months ago. My question is, is anyone here taking it? did it help? if so, how long did it take to kick in? I really want to be able to offer her encouragement and want to be able to know what I'm talking about. I have Lupus so I can relate a bit to MS . Thank you for any info!

ladywing14 · 06-22-2003, 05:55 PM

Hi, I have been on Copaxone for just over a year and a half, I have had RRMS for 9 years. I was previously on Avonex for about 4 years, no medications prior to that. My "attacks," as I call them, were becoming more frequently and were lasting longer and my neurologist suggested that we try something different, I wasn't to crazy about having to give myself a shot everyday, but I didn't want to have to keep dealing with my relapses. She started me on Copaxone in November of 2001 and scheduled me for an MRI in April of 2002, she was very happy with the results. Some of the lesions on my brain had disappeared and the few that were left looked smaller and were inactive. In the past year since I saw her the last time, I haven't had any "attacks". I have felt relatively good, tired at times, but no other problems. Hope this helps! Good luck to your friend, I hope it works as well for her as it has for me!

Sharon

JJerzak · 07-02-2003, 02:26 PM

My fiance is on Copaxone. She had been having attacks every 3 months or so. Copaxone is more effective the longer you take it, kind of like an allergy shot of sorts.

Her most active lesion is now small enough to not appear on an MRI. This doesn't mean that everything is healed, as the MRI can only pickup things bigger than a millimeter. And in nerve size...that's pretty big. However, initially this same lesion covered the entire cross section of her spine.

She has also now gone from attacks every 3 months to about 1 year between attacks. Copaxone has shown great promise in preventing as well as reducing lasting effects.

There are also several great treatments on the horizon, which seem very promising.

MS is now very treatable as opposed to even 20 years ago with more great breakthroughs in the near future.

lmrose · 07-02-2003, 02:59 PM

It is so great reading that there are drugs that can now help MS. I know what my Dad went through and I consider his a slow progression. My uncle (Mom's side) went through a more severe case. I hope this will help you all live better lives. Best of luck to all of you!
Lynn

goddess · 07-05-2003, 07:27 AM

hi everyone! i've been on copaxone for almost 2 years and i wouldn't have it any other way. copaxone has worked wonders for me. it's hard to say how long it takes to "kick in". it all depends on the severity of the individual's case of MS. each injection stays in your system for 24 hours. the needles come pre-filled so it makes it alot quicker and easier to do. it literally takes less than a minute for me to get it done. good luck and get back to me if you'd like. my e-mail is [removed]