copaxone or avonex

yes, it was the va neuro recently that mentioned rebif or avonex and suggested strongly i go with one of them versus the copaxone. this guy typically minimizes any symptom i have(my impression). can't talk to a nurse there until doc Rx's something. i don't even want to discuss that office.

I am taking a 6 week break from the Avonex and will be starting Copaxone at the end of April. I actually have two questions: 1) Has anyone taken a break from their medication for that long (and if so, any consequences) and 2) Has anyone switched from Avonex to Copaxone, and if so, how did you do? I still after all these years lose a day on the weekend due to the side effects of the Avonex and am hoping that will not be the result with Copaxone.

Hello! I've just been diagnosed with MS and am wondering which drug is better. I've read the material for Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron. I've narrowed it down to two -- Rebif or Copaxone based mainly on side effects. Which drug is the best?

MY DR WANTS ME TO TAKE AVONEX OR REBIF, TRIED COPAXONE IN 2004 HORRIBLE LUMPS THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS. STOPPED AFTER 3 MOS. I AM GETTING WORSE IN MY GAIT. MY KNEES ARE WEAK & IN PAIN. I AM JUST INTOERABLE TO ABOUT EVERY DRUG OUT THERE. CAN'T TAKE ANTIDEPRESSANTS- WHICH I NEED TO TAKE ACCORDING TO ALL I READ. WHAT HAVE YOU STRUGGLED THROUGH & HOW LONG TO MAKE A DECISION. IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE & SCAREY. MY QUAILTY OF LIFE IS GETTING WORSE - SO ONLY A FOOL WOULDN'T TRY - RIGHT?!

I was on Copaxone and had to stop due to it lowering my blood pressure, I didn't have any reactions to coming off of the med though wasn't even warned that there would be. Good luck with whatever you try next, my body doesn't agree with medications, I have been through Copaxone, Gilenya and Avonex, not sure what I am going to do now. I am sure you and your doctor will come up with the right therapy for you. Good luck!

It’s fair to be worried about the flu-like side effects of Avonex or other interferons, but there are simple things you can do (which I won’t get into now) to minimize or mitigate those effects. It’s possible you will find them debilitating (as did G8trLeslie), and it’s possible Avonex or any other drug simply may not work for you, but it’s also possible you may not deal with side effects at all. I’ve used Avonex for more than eight years.

Now when I see my neuro in now January, we discuss my next option. I did not do well on Copaxone, even though I did it for 1 1/2 years, then we tried Avonex, and reacted to that, 5 months had to get off it... then the Aubagio, and that was not for me either. I 'm hoping the my Dr. will try Tysabri as I know people who have had good success with it. I hope you find something that works for you.

m unable to do the arms or legs anymore due to bad reactions. Avonex is taken in the muscle, right? Is it mainly the thigh? Do you have problems with the pitting skin? My neuro told me I shouldn't inject into damaged skin. I am having a hard time finding a place to inject. I know the medicine spreads thru the fat and basically kills it straight across. I stress because even tho I have a few side effects, I am glad its not flu symptoms. Any ideas is greatly appreciated!

If your disease is active and progressive, go for the stronger medication - Avonex, Tysabri, or Rebif. If you have a slower disease course, Betaseron or Copaxone is a better option. The neuro should be ordering an MRI in a year to check for progression and see whether the drug is working. That way, you can make an informed decision on what's best for your body. I opted for Copaxone, thinking that in a year we would do another MRI to check for progression.

He recommends Avonex because my sister is on that and she is doing great. I am leaning toward Copaxone because it is the one with the least side affects. I am not too fond of giving myself a shot everyday but I don't want to have to worry about liver problems and flu like symptoms either. My sister has been on Avonex for the past 8 years and she is doing remarkable. I love the fact that she is doing well, but I am not fond of the weekly intramuscular shot, I know waaaa what a baby lol.

After turning out to have an allergy to Copaxone and then being on Avonex for years, I want to be on an oral med if at all doable. Comments/experiences anyone?

what MS shots copaxone, rebif, betaseron & avonex has the smallest percentage of blood fractions

t go on avonex because my doc said its not strong enough, that it would just be like going back on copaxone.

Hi, I to am on Copaxone and have been for 4 months as well, and I can't say that I have gained weight... sorry, but I too watch calories all the time so have not noticed to much difference. Hope you can get to the bottom of it ...

Thanks to all, im in the hospital, most common cause being looked at is MS, my mri showed 5 lesions, one is a ring lesion. the doctor is suggesting avonex or copaxone as meds any opionions?

t tolerate Copaxone, I then had the choice of Avonex or Rebif. Few neuros seem to want to help you decide, and mine sure wouldn't. So just based on the idea that I'd rather have flu symptoms once a week than 3, I picked Avonex. For me it has been so much better than dealing with Copaxone every day. I have learned to do it at night, to pre-medicate with Aleve (long-lasting), and to take a sleep med, and that way I can minimize the flu stuff. I'm just very lucky this works well for me.

Copaxone (or other DMDs) won't eliminate exacerbations. Its efficacy is better measured by comparing to how often you had relapses prior to treatment and how your MRIs compare. It's possible you need to change, but please don't be afraid of the interferons. The flu-like side effects are often manageable, and they often become less troubling after the first few months or even sooner.

I guess I reached that point and all MS tests were positive so they started me on copaxone. I was doing well or atleast stable but a routine MRI showed 2 new lesions in the brain so they called it a failed treatment and took me off. Now my symptoms are worse but my brain MRI is stable so they want to start testing for other diseases. I don't know if I am up for it and if all of my tests were positive I don't see why they want to look for more problems.

A co-worker had a hard time with the flu-like symptoms of Avonex and never adjusted. She ended up on Copaxone and likes it much better. I think the people I know that never adjusted to the flu-like symptoms of those medicines that I mentioned are probably in the minority; however, seeing their experience was part of my decision when I chose a DMD. You may want to ask about the plusses of other medicines as opposed to Copaxone, I know there are advantages to those drugs.

That was my experience when I took Avonex. Since I now take Copaxone and have only been on it for a little over a year, I cannot give you a personal view of how well the drug is working for me. I am beginning to notice less relapses, though. How DMD's work is not fully understood. With a few of the DMD's it is thought that the ingredients give the immune system something else to "attack" and will leave your Central Nervous System alone.

I just started Avonex this week and it was by far a better experience for me than copaxone. Copaxone burned and left nasty irritated injection site welts. The only side effect I had from Avonex is that I was a bit tired. I took the pain relievers and didn't have any bad side effects. I just recommend taking it easy. Oh and the injection itself didn't really hurt at all.

m pretty sure that I have seen someone on this site ask about hair loss with Avonex, maybe they will see this and answer you.

Copaxone or avonex

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