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@melissag 

Last reply

melissag

copaxone..

Hi everyone, Im know there has been some posts here lately on the subject, but I just wanted to see if anyone had some tips for me. I am supposed to start on copaxone sometime this week, and the idea of daily injections is really intimidating to me. Ive never had to do anything like it before, and I cant help but feel scared about it all. I just wanted to know if anyone had any tips on getting used to it, or how to make it the least painful etc. I did read here that keeping it at room temperature is the best way so I do plan to do that already, but I cant help being a bit freaked out by all of this...
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@janep
@janep
 

Hi @melissa.g, it's perfectly natural to be feeling a bit freaked out by the prospect, it's a very unnatural thing to have to do! I was on copaxone for over 2 years and whilst I probably never fully 'got used to it', it did become part of my routine really quickly. From the many posts on this over the years, the strongest thing to come through is generally that most people find their own specific little tricks to help, as always there's no one size fits all trick unfortunately! Some of the key things to be thinking about though are temperature, both the drug and yourself- some people find a warm pack on the site prior to the jab helps, other prefer a cool pack after. Another thing to think about is timing, I always did my jab before my shower in the morning, the distraction of getting ready for work helped take my mind off it - others find that doing it before bed is good for them. Making sure the setting on the autoject, if you use one, is correct can really help too- your ms nurse can help you with this. Some people, myself included, find the autoject a tad aggressive (!) but I was never brave enough to do them manually but many swear by it if you can stomach it. The best thing I can offer is to say that you WILL adapt and get used to it, it will become part of your routine, like cleaning your teeth and you're getting some control back in the process. Just try and relax, stupid as that sounds! And take your time. Good luck! And keep us posted xx

@EdgarLeroy
@EdgarLeroy
 

I didn't mind the shots. Sometimes they sting, but you will find which locations feel better. Jane is correct about the ice, but I didn't often feel the need. The needle is quite small. The drug itself does not make you feel bad like interferons do. I am curious why you are starting with Copaxone instead of the newer, more effective drugs like Tysabri or Gilenya (oral). If I was RRMS & met the criteria, I would try for the following trial (US & London). Copaxone didn't stop my progression. These new B-cell therapies offer the possibility of stopping progression. Best wishes and good luck! http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.com/2012/11/anti-cd19-and-multiple-sclerosis.html http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01585766?