Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

If it's on your mind and it has to do with multiple sclerosis in any way, post it here.
Post Reply
aplkwst1
Getting to Know You...
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:53 pm

Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by aplkwst1 »

Seriously considering using Copaxone, however, when I review the contents I can't see what is so special about injecting it vs. eating those amino acids in foods. Does anyone understand what the salt copolymer is as the additional ingredient that does not occur naturally? I understand there is a difference between digestion and injection, but don't see the big benefit since it is injected into fat.

Avonex appeals to me due to the benefits of reducing disability, however I don't like the idea that human proteins that could carry viruses are present in its formulation.

The rest of the medication approved for MS really just outright scares me altogether...

Anyone know anything about the synthetic ingredient in Copaxone that is not naturally occurring and why injection is so special vs. just eating foods with those proteins?: xC2H4O2 Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer acetate salt
User avatar
Scott1
Volunteer Moderator
Posts: 1697
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:00 pm

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by Scott1 »

Hi,

If you want to go down the Copaxone path then presumably you accept their explanation that the arrangement of the amino acids mimics myelin. Any food you ingest will be broken down into its basic constituents and absorbed or excreted as the body requires. The possibility that you can somehow control the final form to mimic Copaxone is remote. Ultimately, it is not about the amino acids, it's about the enzymes. Whether they operate normally, are denatured or overexpressed determines the processes in the body. Injecting is trying to bypass the normal digestive process which will turn almost anything you eat into a soupy collection of amino acids that are then influenced by enzymes to help proteins function.

Food is wonderful. I've been eating it for years. The blockbuster treatments have mixed outcomes. Understanding polymers will be far less rewarding than understanding enzymes and sugars. That, however, is a massive task.

Regards,

Regards
aplkwst1
Getting to Know You...
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:53 pm

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by aplkwst1 »

Sounds very complicated 8O

Currently I try to eat foods that do not cause an inflammation reaction according to allergy blood testing. Take LDN (low dose naltrexone). Exercise 3-4 times a week cardio and 7 days a week toning.

Had symptoms of some type of connective tissue disorder since 2004. Got diagnosed with MS in 2008 due to non-severe optic neuritis. Do not have the fatigue symptoms that I hear most have.

Brian scans show some progression, however, that doesn't say much according to neuro as there is really no way to predict future disability. He says 85% of people do have some type of disability after 10-12 years of diagnosis.

I am really just not sure I could handle giving myself and injection as it seems any of the approved treatments would make me feel worse whether it be injection site infections or fatigue from medications.

Neuro recommends Copaxone, however not pushing me into it.

I need to read up on lots of the posts here as I am hoping they come up with real progress for reduction of disability.
User avatar
Scott1
Volunteer Moderator
Posts: 1697
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:00 pm

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by Scott1 »

Hi,

That is the right way to do it. Be knowledge based and not backed into a corner.

Here's my basic idea but just pop it in the pot. http://www.thisisms.com/forum/regimens- ... 24019.html

You should look for what appears relevant to you.

Regards,
User avatar
NHE
Volunteer Moderator
Posts: 6423
Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2004 3:00 pm
Contact:

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by NHE »

aplkwst1 wrote:Anyone know anything about the synthetic ingredient in Copaxone that is not naturally occurring and why injection is so special vs. just eating foods with those proteins?: xC2H4O2 Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer acetate salt
Oral copaxone has been tested in a clinical trial. It was found to be ineffective. Copaxone's activity is all about the polymer binding to the MHC receptor. Once the polypeptide is broken down through digestion into free amino acids, this activity is lost.
aplkwst1
Getting to Know You...
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:53 pm

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by aplkwst1 »

True a person really does have to listen to their body and what is the right treatment for them. You don't know until you try something and see how your body feels after giving it a true try.

I have went down the path of leaky gut and taken supplements probiotics, fish oil, vitamin b complex activated, vitamin d, and folic acid. The mix gave me nausea even though they were clinical grade. I cut back to just vitamin d and LDN now.

My blood testing currently shows excellent levels of vitamin d, vitamins b's, and my complete metabolic panel is perfectly in range on everything.

Working out seems to be my jam (cardio intense) along with LDN and vitamin D supplements. Doing too much weights gives me major tightness in muscles to the point of almost debilitating.

I do feel that being on the low end of BMI (body mass index) does make me feel great and removes any symptoms. It is hard to tell what exactly helps as I have mixed many non FDA approved treatments at the same time.

According to the Neuro I am doing nothing since I am not on an FDA approved treatment plan. It is very difficult to find a neuro that is not directed by the approved FDA treatments.
aplkwst1
Getting to Know You...
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:53 pm

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by aplkwst1 »

Copaxone certainly has been around the longest and has the least side affects. I was not aware there was a clinical study on oral Copaxone. Still am really uncertain that I could bring myself to administering a shot to myself.
Youarethecure
Family Elder
Posts: 324
Joined: Mon Jan 27, 2014 8:44 pm

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by Youarethecure »

Copaxone has an auto inject pen, makes it 1 millllllllion times easier to inject yourself.

I could never do it without the pen, but with it I always did it no problem...... Trust me, it will become second nature after a while.

I agree with your ideas on all the drugs, copaxone was the only one I was comfortable with. Unfortunately, I developed an allergy to it. I did 200 injections of the 3 times a week treatment. I have not taken any drugs in 6 months now. I am going to stick with my weight lifting/cardio, supplements/nutrition, and proper dieting..... at lest for now.

Are you and your doctor not comfortable enough with your regime of LDN and everything else you do?

Best of luck,

Chris
User avatar
1eye
Family Elder
Posts: 3780
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:00 pm
Location: Kanata, Ontario, Canada
Contact:

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by 1eye »

They don't know what causes it, so treating it is a crap shoot. All the DMDs only prevent further worsening at best. Nothing yet can stave off all progression over multiple decades. Good healthy eating and exercise help a lot.

You can give yourself a needle. They have spring-loaded gadgets that help. You can get used to it. I got more site damage from copaxone than interferon. There are oral DMDs but nothing without risk yet.

I am SPMS so DMDs are not prescribed. I take 300 mg biotin /day with rice bran filler, and in 2010 I got one jugular ballooned, which has been a blessing.
This unit of entertainment not brought to you by FREMULON.
Not a doctor.
"I'm still here, how 'bout that? I may have lost my lunchbox, but I'm still here." John Cowan Hartford (December 30, 1937 – June 4, 2001)
aplkwst1
Getting to Know You...
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:53 pm

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by aplkwst1 »

My Dr. would prefer me to be on Copaxone. Personally I think maybe it would be a good idea, but just have trouble with the injection idea and being able to commit to it.
ElliotB
Family Elder
Posts: 2100
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:08 pm

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by ElliotB »

"...have trouble with the injection idea and being able to commit to it"

I was not thrilled with the idea of daily injections, but it is really easy and if you have the depth set correctly, you barely feel them. Although Shared Solutions recommends 1 minute of heat before the injection and 1 minute of ice after, I do 5 minutes of each and find this works better for me.

As far as being able to commit to it, you just need to decide if less relapses is a worthwhile result of your efforts.
User avatar
NHE
Volunteer Moderator
Posts: 6423
Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2004 3:00 pm
Contact:

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by NHE »

aplkwst1 wrote:Copaxone certainly has been around the longest and has the least side affects. I was not aware there was a clinical study on oral Copaxone. Still am really uncertain that I could bring myself to administering a shot to myself.
Effects of oral glatiramer acetate on clinical and MRI-monitored disease activity in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study.
Lancet Neurol. 2006 Mar;5(3):213-20.
  • BACKGROUND: Parenterally administered glatiramer acetate reduces the frequency of relapses and the formation of active brain lesions seen with MRI in multiple sclerosis. This study assessed whether two doses of glatiramer acetate given orally could improve clinical and MRI measures of inflammation and neurodegeneration in a large cohort of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

    METHODS: 1912 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were screened and 1651 were randomised to receive 50 mg or 5 mg of glatiramer acetate or placebo by daily oral administration over 14 months. The intention-to-treat cohort consisted of 1644 patients who took at least one dose of study medication (50 mg glatiramer acetate [n=543], 5 mg glatiramer acetate [n=553], placebo [n=548]). After baseline investigation, clinical assessments were done every 2 months and MRI was obtained for all patients at baseline and at study exit. Additionally, MRI was undertaken every 2 months for a cohort of 486 patients. The primary outcome was the total number of confirmed relapses observed during the study period. Several prespecified clinical and MRI secondary and tertiary outcomes assessed treatment efficacy on inflammation and neurodegeneration due to multiple sclerosis.

    FINDINGS: The cumulative number of confirmed relapses did not differ between the two active treatment groups and the placebo group. Relative to placebo, the rate ratio for the 50 mg glatiramer acetate treated group was 0.92 (95% CI 0.77-1.08, p=0.30) and for the 5 mg glatiramer acetate treated group was 0.98 (0.83-1.15, p=0.76). No drug effect was seen for any of the secondary and tertiary endpoints. The study drug was safe and well tolerated.

    INTERPRETATION: 5 mg and 50 mg glatiramer acetate administered orally on a daily basis do not affect relapse rate or other clinical and MRI parameters of disease activity and burden in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Treatment with oral formulations of glatiramer acetate at the doses tested cannot be recommended.
TeresaL
Family Member
Posts: 82
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 4:14 pm

Re: Copaxone vs eating those 4 amino acids

Post by TeresaL »

I think injecting the proteins triggers a different immune reaction. Ingesting would break down the proteins. I have been on copaxone for yrs. when I try to stop I get worse so it is helping I inject w/o the auto injector ..less painful for me
Post Reply

Return to “General Discussion”