copaxone and lipoatrophy

I haven't posted in a while, but tonight I have a question. I am on Copaxone and have taken it for 6 months now without too much trouble. I injected today as usual in my right thigh. Tonight I have a dent in my leg where I injected. Is this lipoatrophy? I am very good about rotating my injection sites. Do the indentations just occur out of the blue, or are they gradual?

Thanks, dude. I chose Copaxone because I couldn't bear to think about increased headaches and fatigue, and especially the flu-like symptoms. I'm starting grad school in August, and I know I won't be able to take sick days very often, so I've convinced myself that I should stick with Copaxone for at least two years. I guess we're just looking for the lesser of four evils, right? Meh. I'm still committed, too, but that doesn't mean I don't think it *****.

It is the lone injectable that is not an interferon and so acts differently to modify the disease. (Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron = interferons. Copaxone is Glatiramer Acetate.) I'll be honest, another reason I gave it a miss was the possibility of welts and lipoatrophy. What can I say? I'm vain! However I do think the latter is significantly lessened with vigilant injection site rotation.

I was ordered the 40 mg copaxone and shared solutions called me and said they would talk with my insurance company and to call them if they hadn't called by the following week. So I called back and their response was "No we haven't called them yet, honestly so many people are switching to the 40 mg dose we're so backed up on going through these claims for every one." I was like...I'll call the ins company myself if that's all you need...

I use copaxone and my shared solutions nurse says its not uncommon to have to take one area out of rotation. I can't inject into my things either. If you've played with depth (the nurse over estimated how fat I was) with no improvement, it's possible to set up a new a new schedule with the nurse. Just give them a call.

I had the same thinking as you when I started Copaxone. I decided my abdomen had as much right to a left and right division as my limbs do. That gives eight general areas that I simply rotate around. It's worked well for me. I don't try to match the day of the week to a specific body part.

I have lipoatrophy already and I've been on Copaxone for about a yr and half. I don't shoot into my thighs anymore. My abdomen has dents now. I have mentioned this to my MS Dr and he just says not to inject into those areas, but I am concerned about the future..I think a call to the Shared Solutions would probably be a good idea.

Teva is testing Copaxone at twice the current level. The results ore given relative to placebo. Nothing is said about results relative to current dose. http://www.nasdaq.

I've been on Copaxone for a year and a half. I have had probably 6 "reactions" in that time. Not all of them were the full-bown reaction that they warn of, altho I have had that and its awful. My question is..Is it ok or normal to get a huge hive-looking thing from the shot? It seems to only happen in the arm, but the welt is as big as my hand. It goes away after a while leaving a nickel sized red spot. It itches like crazy.

I've been on copaxone for 5 months now and I've noticed over the last week or so that the needle is harder to push through my skin. Could there have been a change in needle thickness? Or my skin getting tougher? has anyone ever heard of this or had this happen?

I have less fat in the areas that were injected, and some scar tissue. Copaxone seems to want to sit in your sub-cutaneous fat and be absorbed gradually. So it could have made the chance of an IPIR more likely. The other question would be whether the drug helped me, and I honestly don't know. It's supposed to reduce relapses, and I think even with the drug I had at least two that first year.

I saw my MSologist today and as always had a great time discussing various things. He quizzed me about the copaxone and how it was going and was I having any problems - which I'm fortunately not. He said he has a growing number of patients who have taken to giving their copaxone injections in the shower. Yes, you read that right.... in the shower.

I see my neuro Friday and will most likely stop Copaxone next week so I start on Tecfidera. They said there was waiting period or problem stopping quickly from it. I have lesions on my c-spine and brain and want to go on something better. Best of luck on your choice!

but many archives websites and dr.s have said that lipoatrophy can happen even if your not on medication. This is real symptom that doesn't come and go--I get to see everyday. If anyone has any information--I would appreciate it. Thank You!

Saturday after my shot in my stomach I started getting light headed and hot and my heart started racing. I sat there trying to take deep breaths and looked up at myself in the mirror and my face was bright red! I felt like my heart was about to explode out of my chest! I gathered my composure enough to get to my bed and I went to sleep. I woke up Sunday feeling better aside from the migraine I had (and still have). Has this ever happened to you?

up into the side of my hip, and shaking all over. I called Shared Solutions and left a msg and she called me right back. Yep, they said that it sounds exactly like a muscle injection. My main worry was, whether or not there was going to be any serious side effects from injecting it into a muscle. I've also had the post-reaction heart attack symptom 6 months after starting and I wasn't looking forward to a repeat. I hope that doesn't happen anymore.

Hi and welcome. Unfortunately this is a fairly common side effect of copaxone therapy. I try to not worry about it because my bikini days are long gone. but then again I'm pretty sure I never did have a bikini days. The dimples come from an erosion of the fat under the skin. Be sure you are rotating those sites - and about 24 hours after it is a good idea to massage the area. They suggest doing this in the shower where you skin is slippery.

All my injectable areas are now lumpy and dented. Copaxone does something called lipoatrophy, which means that it starts to eat the fat in the injection site. Looks terrible, doesn't it? That plus the lumps... sigh... guess my bikini days are over (never begun!

I am on Copaxone and have lost weight and there were bumps at first but they went away. You can't tell where I inject.

Can you get lipoatrophy without being on medication? Could lipoatrophy, and foamy urine be a sign of hiv infection? I appreciate the help. Thank you!

Kat, You have gotten some great advice! Doublevision laid it all out perfectly (thanks!) and what she said and the others is true, you eventually get to the point where it is part of your daily routine and the fear will be gone. Be easy on yourself. This is a new bump in the road and it's okay to feel scared. I know I was too and I'm a nurse. So, try to relax and let Copaxone become part of your routine and your weapon against MS. BTW, Jen was correct about rubbing the welts.

There is no blanket "better" or "worse" option. It comes down to doing your homework, discussing your options with the professionals, knowing what your insurance will cover (if you're in the US), and knowing what you can realistically consistently adhere to. Do you forget to take daily pills? An oral might not be right for you. Do you have a needle phobia? The injectables might not be your best option. Yes, they do all have the POTENTIAL for side-effects.

Copaxone and lipoatrophy

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