copaxone tips

What is the best way to get help paying for copaxone or is there a generic version that is less expensive? I was hoping to start taking it soon, but Im afraid I can't afford it. Also, has anyone taken the new oral version? Is it less expensive? I was advised not to use it but I certainly will if I can afford it. Plus, what are the other benefits of using copaxone othr than slowing down the formation of new lesions. Will I get my energy back? Will my concentration get better?

First off, welcome to the forum! You ask a great question. You might find some tips here from an older discussion found here. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/COPAXONE/show/957226 The first six months I was on the weekly injection (Avonex), I took acetaminophen/paracetamol 30 minutes prior and at recommended intervals for the 24 hours post-injection (to head off the common 'flu-like symptoms' side-effect associated with that particular drug).

I'm on Avonex so I don't have personal experience with Copaxone, but I know there are plenty of others on the forum that can advise you on that. As for traveling, I use gel-pack ice in a small cooler in my carry-on. That will be good for several hours. Make sure that you'll be able to re-freeze it before your next travels; some hotels don't have freezers for guests.

I was on copaxone for three months. Some of the obvious tips include making sure the syringe is at room temperature, use the ice pack and the heat pad as it feels good, let the alcohol dry before the injection to eliminate the sting. Pick a time of day that works for you and stick with it - a lot of people keep theirs in the bathroom and inject when they are getting out of the shower.

I am on Copaxone. The severe burning does lessen over time and the ice packs after injection DO help with the burning. Also lessens the red welt that you can get. Can the stinging occur later on in the course of Copaxone? Yes. But knowing that it might happen seems to make it a little easier. Another note, when you alcohol wipe the skin, come back with another sterile piece of guaze and TOTALLY dry the area.

d like to hear from those who have tried or are on the diet and any tips they can give or any recipes / resources they found helpful.

About three days ago, I woke up with a symmetrical tingling in my arms which reached all the way to three fingers, the small one to the middle finger. The following day the tips of my fingers were a little more numb, and I began to have the tingling sensation in my under arms and chest. Today I still have all those previous symptoms but now i have a tingling sensation in my belly (the skin) and in my legs from my knees down to the ankle.

OMG I thought these Copaxone injections were no big deal. Now my sites are itching like crazy! Today my arms are driving me crazy and I did those injections last Thurs & Fri. Shared Solutions told me to call my doctor for a topical cream suggestion. I'm waiting for a call back but the nurse said I may have to switch medications. After ALL I have been through with the insurance nightmare and applying to NORD to get the Copaxone.

Ive been researching open enrollment plans for my part d Medicare plan. Not one covers copaxone at more than 33% of total out of pocket expenses. This is too spendy of a drug to pay even $120.00 a day for it!!! Its crazy. I was curious if anyone has received help from any agencies covering it fully and/or mostly? Ive contacted Medicare, my prescription plan, teva, and my doctors office. I just received a basic health plan card from my state but again....not covered under the current formulary.

Now on to being proactive with the therapy - I hope you will do well with the copaxone. The injection training should be of help to you and there are lots of people here on copaxone will to share aditional tips (including me). For now, just take some time to absorb this confirmation of what you've known for a long time.

Hello, I am new to this forum and to this disease. I was just diagnosed with MS 4 weeks ago and am now on my 8th day of copaxone. Other than feeling like I've been stung by a bee after I inject myself, I feel a large size lump (size of a golf ball) and terrible itching the next day that seem to last all week. Is there any tips on how to lesson the pain and/or itch? I've tried the ice pack on the injection site right after which seems to help a bit but not enough.

I started Copaxone two months ago and I am still having the lumps and itching for days after injections. My PA told me the lumps will most likely not go away. She asked me if I could tolerate it. Is this true for you MSers that have used Copaxone. Debating whether or not to continue these injections. It's not horrible but annoying. Kinda embarassing to itch my sites all the time! Im just scared to switch and then have to deal with flu-like symptoms with the other injectibles.

So I just started Copaxone yesterday and injected my stomach, stung for a bit but otherwise okay. Today my husband injected my left arm and its been an hour and it still hurts like crazy and my arm all the way to my fingers feel almost numb? Does anyone know if this is normal and if so how long it usually lasts? (or was the injection done wrong?

This can happen with Copaxone, and it did during the first year I was on the medicine. One, like the one you had, was more apparent than the other reactions. I told my neurologist, and he thinks I was injecting in my blood stream. He gave me some tips to avoid doing that again, and for the life of me can't remember what they were. Maybe someone on the forum does know.

I'll start with the bad - I started back on Copaxone and it's been H*LL! When I first used Copaxone it was a breeze, not issues whatsoever. This time the pain from the injections is extreme and I have fist size bruises all over my thighs and tummy! I hate it! The good news is I went to see the Optic Neurologist this week and she is wonderful. I've never met a Doctor who takes such care to make sure I understand everything that is happening to me.

I just got the approval from insurance for Copaxone. They are shipping it Friday. I need to make an appointment for my Shared Solutions nurse to come help get me started. I have received a lot of information from the Copaxone people. It is starting to get overwhelming. I finally just put it away and decided to wait for the nurse to come out. I am really scared about giving myself a shot. Anyone have any tips on this?? Is this overwhelmed feeling I am now getting a normal feeling?

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.

Be prepared for the injections hurting when you first get started on Copaxone, but do not have anxiety about it. There are things that the Copaxone nurse will show you that will lessen the pain. I've been on the medicine daily since March 2008--over 5 years. The medicine has made a difference in my MS progression. Please keep this in mind when starting the treatment and keep with it. At first, my husband did the injections every day for a year or two.

//www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Copaxone---some-tips-to-avoid-the-dreaded-IPIR/show/1146269 In that post I did see that it can last for days after words. Hope it helps.

Any advice on getting Copaxone through security or dealing with AFOs and heavy duty knee braces? Is is difficult to get the airline to have a shuttle to get you from gate to gate? THANKS! ANY travel advice would be greatly appreciated!

I can call the copaxone folks in another hour but thought I'd float this question to the group too.... I'm leaving for a week in FL (first time travelling since starting copaxone) and wondering what is the protocol for travelling with sharps - do I take my whole sharps container with me? in my checked back or carryon? any other tips for a new traveler?

Hello everyone, I hope those of you reading this post have had a good weekend? I was hoping to get some tips on choosing a dmd. I've recently been diagnosed with RRMS which has mainly been severe ON with milder symptoms elsewhere (so far!) Anyway, I haven't started a dmd yet because I'm trying to stop b/feeding my son first but I'm due to see the MS nurse in a couple of weeks, where we will make a decision about my treatment.

Both arms/hands and parts of my fingers go completely numb at night and it wakes me up. Today I now have tingling in my left hand and the tips of my fingers are numb so I can't "feel" things as well. (along with off and on buzzing in spots up and down the entire left side of my body) Is this related to MS or something else? I know you can't say for sure but was curious if anyone out there had this happen. Thanks in advance to anyone that can shed some light on this.

symptoms numbness in feet, legs abdomen, intermittent fatigue, some brain fog although not sure what it just part of aging. I am taking CoPaxone. Altho I am diagnosed with RR MS my numbness started in my feet and have slowly creeped up to abdomen. I am doing OK, still working fulltime. Just wanted to join this forum and share info.

I have been diagnosed just over a year and my difficulties with my legs still remain the same even thou I am on treatments, copaxone, gabapentin, tizanadine. I am finding it hard to cope with it, as many others with MS say they have periods of time without any difficulties.

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