Newly diagnosed and trying to decide which drug to take

A board to discuss the Multiple Sclerosis modifying drug Copaxone
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3dogs
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Newly diagnosed and trying to decide which drug to take

Post by 3dogs »

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and apologize in advance if this question has been posted before.

I was diagnosed with MS a month ago and have been trying to decide which drug I want to take for treatment. I see my neurologist next week and am supposed to talk with him about my choice then. I'm leaning toward Copaxone because it doesn't have the liver enzyme/low white blood cell/thyroid potential side effects (I am hypothyroid, diagnosed in 1998). But, I'm concerned about the racing heart/tight chest, etc. side effects of Copaxone. (Concerned about the side effects for all the treatments, actually!).

Any advice/insight would be welcome!

Thanks! :)
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Wonderfulworld
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Post by Wonderfulworld »

Best of luck deciding 3dogs...it pretty much does come down to just luck, as every MS'er is different and responds differently. I worsened on Rebif but improved on Copaxone, albeit with lipoatrophy but my MS improved.
The injection reactions you mention, racing heart etc - have only happened me a few times in all the years on Copaxone and were unremarkable and very mild and transient, nothing that scared me anyway. A dose of niacin would be much stronger than what I experienced on Copaxone!
HTH
Last edited by Wonderfulworld on Tue Mar 29, 2011 10:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Concussus Resurgo
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RR-MS dx 1998 and Coeliac dx 2003
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Tecfidera, Cymbalta, Baclofen.
EPO, Fish Oils, Vitamin D3 2000 IU, Magnesium, Multivitamin/mineral, Co-Enzyme Q10, Probiotics, Milk Thistle, Melatonin.
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Stabilo
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Post by Stabilo »

Hi 3Dogs,

I only started taking Copaxone in October, and still believe I made the right decision. I too leaned toward it more so because I didn't want to struggle with the "flu like" symptoms that the interferons apparently cause.

I have only had one really bad reaction from the Copaxone, and it scared me a little bit, but I knew to expect it at some point, so I was prepared for the worst.

Like Wonderfulworld said, everyone is different and therefore react differently to each drug, but so far I have been relapse free besides some residual vertigo from my last relapse in September, and am unsure whether to contribute it to the Copaxone or placebo (as the Copaxone is not supposed to take effect for 6 to 9 months) Regardless, I am satisfied with the choice to take Copaxone.

Good luck in choosing what's right for you :)
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
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3dogs
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Thank you!

Post by 3dogs »

Thank you both for your responses! :-)
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