copaxone allergic reaction?

[kelly08]

i have been on copaxone a little over a week, when i had a rxn-didn't think much about it until one of my friends asked me how my shots were going and i mentioned the symptoms i had the night before and she said it sounded like it may be a rxn i should talk to my doc about, so i called the drug co who said ultimately check with my doc but that allergic rxns were uncommon, my doc's nurse asked some questions and called back saying he thought it sounded like an allergic rxn and to not do anymore shots--i really want to be able to take this med cause i don't think i could tolerate feeling crummy while getting used to the interferons--so i'm trying to figure out whether what i experienced was a true allergic rxn or just a different reaction than i have had so far. i had some hive like very itchy and red raised areas that were about 6 inches from injeciton site, all over body itching, my tongue felt thick-but it looked relatively normal maybe a little swollen, and i had a little coughing (like a tickle in my throat) and the next day i had a red rash over a lot of my body. Has anyone else had these allergic type responses? I am hoping it is just a little diff version of the chest tightness sensation they warn you about!

[MSNik]

Kelly, that really does sound like an allergic reaction. I woudnt take it any longer. Its unfortunte, but some poeple just cant get used to copaxone either..I know of several people who had the same thing happen to them and they are all on Rebif now.
You mentioned being afraid of the side effects of the interferons. Dont be. If you take avonex, youlll have them for a day or two after the shot once a week. If you take Rebif, youll have them for 6 hours, 3 times a week....and betaseron, about 8 hours, every other day...BUT all of these side effects diminsh over a period of 2-6 months. Mine were completely gone by month 4.
I love Rebif. The first month there are NO side effects becasue you are on the titration pack - the dose is very low, allowing you a chance to get used to the drug...its not until the 2nd month that you hit full dosage and MIGHT get the flu like symtoms....not everyone gets them. But, I did- and I took 2 aleve before the shot and they stopped. Its very controllable. Rebif is also the smallest needle on the market and truthfully, its been great, for me.
Whatever you do, dont keep taking the Copaxone until you see your doctor. Rashes and hives and a tickle in your throat is NOT normal and you might want up with a more severe reaction with each shot you do...hold off, go see your doctor. Remember these are drugs, and many people have reactions to differnt drugs. Copaxone is also more prone to allergic reactions becasue it is synthetic (manmade). The Interferons are actually derived from what is already in your body, therefore your tolerance level should be higher.

Good luck.
Nikki

[kelly08]

thanks for the response, i have stopped for now until i can discuss it with my doc because i do know that if it is an allergic rxn that it can get worse-much worse--with each dose. i guess i am just really hoping there's some way to tell if it is a true allergic rxn (like maybe give the shot in his office so he can observe and determine if it is--and also be in the right place if i did have a more serious rxn). in addition to my apprehension about the side effects of inerferons is the whole process of getting a new med authorized by my insur co and wondering if they will pay for another one so quickly (i just started copaxone about 2 wks ago and the sent me 3 months worth of meds so i wonder if they will take those back and give me another or if i'd have to wait 3 months until i should have finished the copaxone) but i guess i am getting ahead of myself. About the interferons, when you do get the flu syndrome is it bad enough that you just want to lie around? i know when i get sick i usually don't feel like doing anything and that is what i'm afraid of-i don't have a day a week that i can just rest until i feel better. i guess it's not so much fear of feeling bad it's fear of being unproductive a day out of every week for a few months. So is it usually that severe or more like you go about whatever you do normally and just don't feel up to par? sorry for such long posts i am new to this-message boards, ms, medication, everything!

[MSNik]

Kellly, the questions are good ones. Never feel bad for asking any question. To try to answer it, I dont think youll have any problem getting another medication..the pharmacies all know that these things happen and all it should take it your doctor faxing the script to the pharmacy along with the reason for the change...it happens all the time.
As for the flu-like symptoms, I can only speak for Rebif. I took my Aleve at about 6 pm. Took the shot at about 7 pm (or shortly before). The shot takes 10 minutes start to finish (with icing it, giving it and massaging the area afterwards). The symtoms DO NOT KICK IN for at least 2 hours..by then, it was going on 9- 9:30. I would go to bed by 10 anyway....the symtoms made me feel awful a few times, but quite honestly, not so bad that I couldnt function. Id get a stomache ache- one time I got the hot/cold sweats- but honestly, Id fall asleep in the middle of it and that was it. Id wake up FINE. I work fulltime (as a sales rep on the road) I have a very needy and NOT supportive husband, one daughter and 2 other stepkids....no one suffered thru any of this. ITs not that bad. Keep in mind, it only happens on the 3 days a week that you do the shot.
Hope this helps.
Nikki