This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

I've recently had a couple bouts of swollen glands with accompying dull pain - usually on one side of my neck/jaw. I did a quick google search and found that this is one possible side effect of GA. Anyone else experience this? I'm quite certain that it's not an infection since I have no other side effects. I'm seriously considering cutting back to one shot of C every other day.

I've been on Copaxone for probably close to 4 years. I can't say that I've experienced swollen glands with it. Lipoatrophy, yes. Swollen glands-not that one. Sorry I can't be of more help on this.
Lori

I have experienced swollen glands on Copaxone. I took a short break, about a week off the medicine (I know I know, danger danger!!) took some lymph draining supplements and now how have resumed Copaxone without any issues.

Brownsfan wrote:I've recently had a couple bouts of swollen glands with accompying dull pain - usually on one side of my neck/jaw. I did a quick google search and found that this is one possible side effect of GA. Anyone else experience this? I'm quite certain that it's not an infection since I have no other side effects. I'm seriously considering cutting back to one shot of C every other day.

This is amazing. I have noticed fro the last couple of years swollen glands, at first they were not bothersome, but now they are.

Not a bad pain, just a pain to let me know hay I am here pay attention to me.

I have been to my GP, Neuro, dentist and ears nose and throat spec. None of them told me that it could be casued from copaxone. I have been on copaxone since 2005-January.

I went off of it to try Avonex and thats a whole different story, it did not do good for me, am allergic to it. So back on Copaxone, this time the right gland began to give me the blues real bad.

I get a dull pain, then a stabbing pain, then an ache. Well thinking that maybe I was getting sick I kept taking my temp just in case. No temp, actually its rather steady 97.8 to 98.6. So no fever so really no infection.

Well a couple of weeks ago went ot a new Dr. he put me on a strong antibiotic. No real change. Maybe a tiny tiny big of the swelling went down.

I put warm packs on it at night and thats when it is the worst. Done also some research into it and came up with GA and swollen glands. so now I have something else to take to the Dr.

I also sat down and typed in all the side effects to all the drugs that I am on and checked off the ones that i have. Man I have more side effect symptoms then I have symtopns to MS.

Amazing, wht to do now? I have no idea which way I want to go at this point. All I know is I am sick of the crud.

Birdie

monster wrote:I have experienced swollen glands on Copaxone. I took a short break, about a week off the medicine (I know I know, danger danger!!) took some lymph draining supplements and now how have resumed Copaxone without any issues.

What are those supplements you are speaking of, may try this. Can you let me amd all of us know what they are please.

Birdie

Gland swelling a side effect of Copaxone? No one warned me either. However, I have been having problems with swelling of the glands in the neck for years, and more recently the same thing with glands in my armpits. BUT I know that these problems pre-date me taking Copaxone. In fact they pre-date my having MS, but are typical of the ME/CFS which I've had for years.

My solution? 10mg of zinc. It works (after about 20 minutes) almost every time, but you have to be careful not to take too much zinc, or the nausea will cut in - my limit is about 40mg a day, and usually I take much less. (The RDA is 15mg, I think).

Oh yes, I had swollen lymph nodes. After seeing the X-rays my gynecologist had a fit and sent me to hospital the same day, with a diagnosis of possible lymphoma (doctorese for lymph-node-cancer). As you can imagine we were all very excited and it certainly took my mind off MS for a few days. They whipped out some glands and sent them off, 11 days later came the result - no cancer. Phew!
Back home I googled lymphoma and it came up with immune system. Ha! I googled lymphoma and Copaxone and it came up with lymphoma-like symptoms as side effect. The cancer specialist called to see how I felt (this is the German health system here!) and I told him about this. He was impressed. I told the neuro and he sent off a letter to the Copaxone people.

trying to find the bottom line on this issue but I have yet to read a definitive report as to exactly what the long term prognosis is if one continues on with the lymph nodes being swollen.

maybe the swollen glands is a sign of infection?! perhaps, that's why copaxone + minocycline has been proven to be better than copaxone alone in several studies.

Lymphadenopathy is a side effect of Copaxone. Personally, I'd rather not take minocycline as I don't believe this to be an infection, but more an effect from introducing Copaxone to your system. I am now off Copaxone.

http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/70/3/415.full