Is Copaxone considered IMMUNOTHERAPY?
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:57 pm
I was diagnosed as having RRMS two years ago, and have been on Copaxone for a year. I'm doing great, with no symptoms other than waxing and waning in the strength of my voice.
I applied for a government job about six months ago, and have passed through all the various levels of the application process -- EXCEPT for the last step, which was the medical examination. It included a full medical history, which asked for all the medications I was on, all the doctors I'd seen, etc. The doctor who performed the physical examination determined that I was fully able to perform the duties of the job.
I got a rejection letter yesterday, stating that I was not suitable for the job because I was taking medication for IMMUNOTHERAPY, and the job involves "close contact with international air travelers with frequent exposures to various types of pathogens".
I have read that Copaxone is an immunomodulator, and as such does not lower the body's immune defense against viruses and other outside pathogens. This certainly has been my experience, as I have not had any kind of cold, flu, etc., while being on Copaxone. This is entirely different than the lowered immune response when a person is on immunotherapy (chemotherapy).
Am I understanding this correctly? Is there a heightened risk to outside pathogens when one is on Copaxone?
I applied for a government job about six months ago, and have passed through all the various levels of the application process -- EXCEPT for the last step, which was the medical examination. It included a full medical history, which asked for all the medications I was on, all the doctors I'd seen, etc. The doctor who performed the physical examination determined that I was fully able to perform the duties of the job.
I got a rejection letter yesterday, stating that I was not suitable for the job because I was taking medication for IMMUNOTHERAPY, and the job involves "close contact with international air travelers with frequent exposures to various types of pathogens".
I have read that Copaxone is an immunomodulator, and as such does not lower the body's immune defense against viruses and other outside pathogens. This certainly has been my experience, as I have not had any kind of cold, flu, etc., while being on Copaxone. This is entirely different than the lowered immune response when a person is on immunotherapy (chemotherapy).
Am I understanding this correctly? Is there a heightened risk to outside pathogens when one is on Copaxone?