Medication - Copaxone versus Plegridy
Hello
I was diagnosed with Clinically Isolated Syndrome back in 2007 and was quickly put on Rebif for 10 years. I did great on Rebif for the 10 years however I did suffer from the chills every time I took it 3 times a day. After 10 years and given no flare ups and quiet MRIs, I got off the DM therapy and have been good all the way until 3 weeks ago and have had a flare up with numbness in both feet and legs and calves. I also have some numbness in my abdomen area. After running MRIs it looks like I will be having to get on meds again. This time however I was debating whether to start on Copaxone (doesn't appear to have the Flu like symptoms as a side effect) or Plegridy (1 shot every 2 weeks so in theory would only have to suffer with chills/flue like symptoms less often). Any recommendations between which drug to use. I am also concerned about the potential serious side effects of Plegridy (heart failure and liver failure which I assume are rare) but I assume since I was on Rebif and Plegridy is just essentially a higher dosage that stays in your body longer that I should be ok.
Hi
. I don't have experience with either medication, but I am hoping someone will respond soon. With the holiday weekend, you might have to be a little patient. The community tends to be a bit less active then. While you wait, I thought I would share a few posts that might be helpful. This member did some research on the success rates of various medications, including Plegridy: https://multiplesclerosis.net/forums/avonex-vs-plegridy. Here is a forum post about Copaxone: https://multiplesclerosis.net/forums/copaxone. I hope this helps and that you get some good input as you try to make a decision. Thinking of you and wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member) 
Hi
, switching medications is always a tough decision. Most of the time it's just a matter of picking one and trying it to see how it works for you. I personally tend to air on the side of whichever seems more effective. That said, over the years, in my own case, I've realized that schedule and ease of taking it is super important to (for me, that has meant something I take once a month, Tysabri, because not only has it worked better for me, I didn't mess it up, the frequency of copaxone led to me not properly administering it to myself on schedule at times). So I really don't have a recommendation, just some things to think about. Best of luck with the decision and remember, if one doesn't work out, you can try something else. We are super lucky to have so many different meds these days (there were like two when I was diagnosed)! Ditch the medication. Change ya diet instead (( :
It works. Just sayin!!!
Just my humble opinion.
If you can be stuffed, post your weekly diet up, and I'll poke holes in it and get you back on track. You don't need meds. I've had MS for 27 years and I'm still working in a physical 6 days a week.
There is hope!!!!!!!!!!
But sssshhhhh...........Hi
. It's awesome that you want to help, but try to remember that we can't give medical advice here. Feel free to let know what has helped you, but please refrain from telling members to stop taking medications or giving specific them guidance on treatment. I am thrilled that dietary changes have had such a big impact on you and I understand how passionate you are about it, but we always have to remember that we are not medical experts and that every MS journey is different. Wishing you the best! - Lori (Team Member)
I've been taking Copaxone since I was first diagnosed nearly 20 years ago -- back when it was daily injections (20 mg injection every single day). I had always been incredibly healthy so it was incomprehensible to me, at the time of my diagnosis, that I would have to give myself injections. And yet, I did. And it became like brushing my teeth - just another thing I did each day. I now only have to do 40 mg 3 times a week (M, W, F), and what a blessing to go away for a weekend and not have to take meds along and worry about that. I have been very fortunate to have almost no relapses since my diagnosis. I do not know how much has to do with the Copaxone or the Vitamin D supplements my neurologist recommended or just generally healthy eating and exercise or changing my mindset so I do not stress about things anymore. However, I suspect it's some combination of all. There are some more serious side effects listed, but the only ones I have had from Copaxone are soreness (like a bruise) at the injection site for a few days. If you have any specific questions, I'm happy to talk further. - Laura
Hi
. Thanks so much for chiming in and offering support. I edited out your email address though for your own safety. You never know who might be lurking and we don't want you to deal with spammers or worse. Feel free to private message with your email address though or you can simply communicate here through private messages. How awesome that you haven't had much progression since that first incident. I hope that trend continues. I wouldn't change a thing in your routine if it's working for you. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
