MS, copaxone, and weight gain

[Chrissygizzy]

Hi, I am new to this site so please bear with me. I was reading about Copaxone and weight. I also saw posts elsewhere on avonex and weight gain. I was diagnosised with MS in 2003. Started on Avonex, flu like symptoms just kept getting worse, so my Doctor changed my drug to beta-serone. Side effect here was terrible insomnia. So I was switched to copaxone. Side effects are fatigue depression, insomnia, and injection site pain and brusing. Anyway, Since 2003 I have steadily gained 70 pounds. I dropped 30 while on the Beta-serone, but when switched to the copaxone I put is right back on. I don't care what the doctors say, "all side effecs are in my head, just my imagination." PooPoo, side effects are real and the weight gain correlation with the meds is real. Just my input. I really want to loose the weight, but I am trying with diet and exercise but nothing works.

[lyndacarol]

Chrissy – welcome to ThisIsMS. I am alone in my fixation on insulin. This is my guess on your situation: Insulin is necessary in order to put on weight. Your physician can order a fasting serum insulin test; if your insulin level is elevated (above 3 UU/ML), that would explain how you can put on weight. Diet is the only way to reduce insulin levels; there is no medication to reduce a person's insulin level.

I believe a strict no carb diet would be most effective.