Starting My First Treatment
Starting My First Treatment
Dear all, I live in Berlin, Germany. Its hard for me to connect with English speakers who have MS here and its not a commun as it is in Canada. Anyway, found a Neurologist, had my first appointment last week and she is letting me decide between for injections 3 times a week (Copaxone) and pills (Tecfidera). While the injections are a lower dose, phisically they hurt over time. And Tecfidera seems to be the most used one but depression seems to be a side effect (which I already battle) What is… read more
I’ve used Copaxone for 17 years and have no internal side effects, have had only two mild attacks in 21 years (but everyone is different). Copaxone is even better now since only 3 times a week (use to be every day). You must rotate around (I don’t do my arms, but do both hips, thighs, and both sides of stomach) to help with your skin getting firm or dented/dimpled-in with some areas. Ice can help, nurse will advise you to avoid skin irritation. That is my only small issue, otherwise no problem. Needle is very short like 1/4 in. Goes into your fat, muscle types hurts more and have longer needles. I don’t even feel it sometimes, but sometimes I hit a sensitive spot and stings a few seconds. I administer it with an Autoject. Just load and push button and it does the rest. Tried Tecfedera and didn’t like my face getting warm and red (flushing) for 20 min. twice a day and it affected my legs/walking in cold weather. Felt like walking through mud on occasion. Does that for some people according to an online search. However, my brother does fine with it (takes twice a day), he does get the flushing though. Hope this helps!
I was on copaxone yrs ago. It was 3 times a week. But back then it had to go into the muscle,. That absolutely sucked. Think I've tried most of the older meds. I can't handle needles. Hate them always have. Then I believe it was Betaserone that came out with the auto injector. It was like hitting the lottery. There's days. I'm on Kesimpta it's a once a month injection into the skin. Also has an auto injector Amen. I've also been on Ampyra for several yrs. For those not familiar with Ampyra. It's a pill. Take it everyday. Once in the morning and once at night. A couple of yrs ago I was going thru some heavy depression and I played Doctor and decided it had to be the Ampyra that was causing it. So. Like a full fledged idiot. I took myself off the Ampyra. About a week later. I noticed a horrible feeling in my legs. They got real heavy, started tripping over my own feet. So I went back on the Ampyra and I took that medical degree that I didn't have hanging on my wall and pretended to cut it up almost like it didn't exsist. I've learned to be more open and honest with the real doctors. I started to say about the Ampyra that if your having problems with your walking. Maybe run it by your neurologist. The Depression Thing. It's kind of a no win situation. Depression is a buy one get one free. Meaning Depression comes along with the M.S. and most of the meds I've been on over the years can cause Depression also so if you feel your fighting Depression. Don't Hesitate telling your Doctor's. Best of luck to everyone
Tom
I've been on copaxone for almost 8 years. It's the safest out there. That's why I'm staying on it. Plus I haven't had any new lesions except a recent one with my optic nerve. That's probably my own fault as I missed doses over the years. Not anymore!
I used Copaxone for 15 years. At first it was everyday then it was 3 times a week. The were like a bee sting and that is really minor to me. Finally I went into SPMS and use Ocrevus. No depression, but my own as I lost my husband in June. Married 55 years… My family is supportive and I thank them for it
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