Copaxone and steroids

teachk · Getting to Know You... Joined: Aug 03, 2004 Posts: 11

I recently found out that I am not having the best results from copaxone. I am allergic to the interferons and can not take them. My neuro suggest a course of solumedrol every four months in conjunction to copaxone. Has anyone tried this? If so, how were the results?

bebe · Family Member Joined: Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 50

Have you tried all the interferons? What type of "allergic reaction" did you have? Many physicians will use steroids for treating acute relapses because it usually hastens the recovery process. Unfortunately, no long term benefit has been shown with pulse steroid use. I think there has been one study but the results have not been duplicated.

teachk · Getting to Know You... Joined: Aug 03, 2004 Posts: 11

My neuro will not let me try another interferon. He is afriad of anaphylactic shock. I had developed whole body hives with Betaseron. The options that were given to me 1) steroids 2) methotrexate or 3) a clinical try involving Rituximab. As of right now I plan on staying with Copaxone until I feel that I need to add another drug to the mix. I am leaning toward the steroids because I had good results with it the one time I was on it. I am also hoping that Tysabri will come back on the market.

batpere · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:57 am Post subject: Re: Copaxone and steroids

Brian · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:48 am Post subject:

Hi - I am not having a good reaction with Copxone either. My site injections are swollen and itch for days. I am in combo therapy (I am also on Novantrone) and I do pulse steriods (IV solumedrol 3 days and a taper of predizone) every 4 months or so. I still get the best results with the steriod. I was on Betaseron, but I did not have any site reaction and it did not seem to be doing anything.

I am torn. Because the Betaseron had no effect and I seem to be getting quite a reaction with Copaxone, I may have to live with the site injection reactions. Any advice?

Baumer · Getting to Know You... Joined: Oct 28, 2004 Posts: 19

Hi Brian,

I am currently on Copaxone. I use the autoinjection to do the shots as I am a big whimp when it comes to needles. The nurse who showed me how to use the autoinjector told me to set the needle depth to 6mm. I kept it set to this depth for all injection sites. With this depth, I had all kinds of site reactions, from muscle spasms in my legs and arms to seriously huge and itchy welts on my "back-side" and stomach. I finally started to mess with needle depth, and have significantly reduced the severity of the site reactions. I now do legs and arms at 4mm and back-side and stomach at 8mm. Basically, if you are getting muscles spasms and cramping, I believe that the needles is going too deep. The itchy welts seem to be caused by the Copaxone not going in deep enough. Just my 2-cents. Hope this helps.

-Aaron Laughing

teachk · Getting to Know You... Joined: Aug 03, 2004 Posts: 11

Hi Brian- Preparation H helps with the welts.