Managing Multiple Sclerosis

Archive for the ‘Multiple Sclerosis Treatments’ Category

On a personal note, it looks like yours truly will be leaving Copaxone behind and switching over to Rebif. After taking (and loving!) Copaxone for 2 years, I’ve suddenly decided to develop an allergy to it. About 10 minutes after injecting, I break out in hives and itch like crazy. The first time, I thought it was just a fluke, took an Atarax, felt better and didn’t think much of it. Maybe it was just a coincidence that it happened as I took the injection!?

Okay, I admit that I was a little gun shy after that. I happened to read the patient information (don’t those scare you to even read???) and it mentioned that if you have an allergic reaction – like HIVES – you should contact your doctor immediately! Do you think I did that??? Of course not! Took the Atarax, got better and went on.

Now, I wasn’t sure, after reading that, that I wanted to risk it so I went without for a week. Took an injection, while making sure I still had an Atarax left, and the same thing happened. I guess that’s a wrap on the Copaxone for me, as much as I like it.

I was at my neurologists office this past Friday and he wants me to switch to Rebif. Not sure quite how that’s gonna work out though! I started on Avonex but never could tolerate it very well. Since Rebif is an interferon also, I’m afraid I won’t get along with it. I know the dosage is different and it’s subcutaneous. Maybe I’ll do okay with it. I certainly don’t want to do without anything and my neurologist says that I’m not a candidate for Tysabri yet and that he still doesn’t recommend it even if I was.

We’ll see how it goes with the Rebif, for now, I guess!

I AM curious if anyone else has developed an allergy like this after extended use of Copaxone! If it happened to you, leave a comment and let me know how long it took to happen.

– Vince