Hey Chappy,

I understand how you feel, I hope things turn out good for you and quick! I recently started copaxone and every time i inquire about what it will do for me, i'm just told it slows the progression. I'm sure you know that, but try not to get so upset about it, there are people who understand, like me. I hope everything works out for you. This is a horrible disease i'm 19 and I worry everyday about what the future will bring.

take care buddy.

MS club is not really what we wanted to join, huh?

Avonex has terrible side effects and Copaxone on the other hand, side effects are not bad, other than like myself...itching and redness at the injection site along with lumps.

Why are these drugs not working you ask? They, being the experts, say it takes at least a year of constant medication to actually begin to slow the progression down. Like with Copaxone and the need to take it every day is because it is not in your system for a great amount of time. Unsure about Avonex, Beta, Rebif or other approved drugs. I do know that Copaxone is not toxic to your liver.

And it also depends on the form of MS you have. Is it RRMS, PPMS, SPMS or Benign? It could be that you were given a dx of RRMS and maybe it has now gone in to SPMS and if that would be the case then one drug that worked for RRMS may not slow it down for SPMS.

I injected each and every day with Copaxone for three (3) years and one day I decided, my own personal choice and not one that my nerologist liked what so ever, was no more needles and I haven't looked back. I also changed my diet, lowered stress, exerise as much as possible, which is not always consistent. Oh, and keeping a postive attitude always works.

As you both may know, MS does not treat us all the same, some better than others and some worse as others. Some may have more bad days and others good. Some may not be able to handle heat while others can. One day you can walk, the next day your leg is heavy and the following week you are able to run.

When I was younger I always loved the unpredictabilities in life, however this is not what I had intended.

Advice I can give is to do what you feel is best for you, keep a positive attitude and stay away from processed foods and cows dairy. And keep informed on all the latest information on MS. There are free magazines for the taking...I don't have their sites but you may be able to find them by googling their names: Focus & MSA Motivator. Up to date info on treatment, devices, etc.

~Zig

I was dx'd im JAn 2004. I was on Avonex, then bc I couldnt handle the flu like side effetcs after a year switched to Betaseron , smaller more frequant doses. My husband was out of work for almost 2 yrs (ecinomy in Southern Cali is BAAAD) And we lost our health ins so I stopped taking nay meds. Then I had a case of optic neuritis and STILL do not have vision in my right eye. Its been 4 months : ( Im so afraid its not going to come back. AND afraid Im going to have optic neuritis in my left eye also. I am still working and my husband is back at work so we have ins again BUT my neuro wont change me back to Beta--(he put me on the free Copaxone program) Im so afraid to NOT be on an interferon I did 2 rounds of IV steroids when I first lost my vision and it didnt help. Im so afraid and afraid Im doing these stupid injections everyday for NO reason bc they arent going to work (not strong enough for me) ANYONE have a positive outcome of a similar situation??

Hi everyone...I was diagnosed with MS about a month ago now, haven't been feeling 'normal' for about three months now. Optic neuritis bad in my left eye, slight spots (occasional) in my right eye...SCARY. two rounds of the prednisone IV infusions, about 3 weeks apart, three days each time. do not believe they did anything at all for me--but impossible to know...did my body start repairing itself or did those toxic steroids actually aid in the reduction of my inflammation?? in 9 days I am supposed to stop breastfeeding my 4 month old daughter to begin life on Copaxone and I'm just not sure. as it gets down to the wire here I feel more and more strongly about just radically changing my diet to super healthy ie no fake colors flavors AT ALL, low fat high protein, etc...and my lifestyle to include REGULAR exercise (SO hard to stick to!) and lower my stress. I do NOT want a shot every day, I do NOT want to be dependent on a drug for the rest of my life--I want to believe that I can slow the progression on my own!! I am reading 'Spontaneous Healing' by D. Andrew Weil...A MUST READ. good luck everyone...it's a tough and nasty customer, this MS...but we really can manage it and I'm going to try it without drugs. Peace.

I am also struggling with the idea of ending my MS treatments. I have taken Avonex and rebif and know i am on Copaxone. Treatments seem as bad as the disease, I am also on vegan diet as i have read in some sources similar things concerning fats and MS.

I went the Copaxone route...not my cup of tea...

I use the anti-inflammatory diet and thus far it works...except I'm having cognitive issue which is one of the downfalls of this lovely disease...

Of course it does not effect each one the same way...so if it works best for us, then so be it and if not...these meds are not a cure but a hope to slow down the progression of this MonSter.

Zig

To my fellow pin cushions my nuero doc has just informed me that there will be oral medications for RRMS within the next year or so and they should be very effective!Talk to your nuero and ask him about them if he's not aware of them tell him to get on the ball and do the research so you have a better chance of getting off the needle.

Hi, every one who have been fighting MS. I know it is tough to fight. But guess the fighter in you gets tougher. Because you got live with it for the rest of your life. I am doing a study of copaxone users and avonex and trying to find which one of this two drugs have been really helpful. Please share your experience for me to learn