Re: Copaxone-I'm starting - Tammy

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

First and foremost.. do NOT follow the actual directions that come

with the Copaxone telling you to keep the bubble pack out for 20

minutes to warm up before injecting!.. It will sting for a long long

time if you follow those directions.

It was suggested, and does work better.. if you take out the card

with 5 syringes to the card.. and leave it out for 24 hours before

injecting.. leaving the remaining four in the dark blue zipper pouch

that should come with your start up kit type stuff.. If it doesn't..

find someplace "dark" to keep them, but at room temperature... when

you are down to the last two injections from that card of 5.. take

out the next card, and place it in the pack as well.. (The people

at Shared Solutions will confirm this.. or should since I got this

little hint from them way back when)..

Secondly... their instructions will tell you to either ice before

and heat after.. but what you want to do is the exact opposite..

(got that from them as well).. but you will get to the point that

icing and heat aren't necessary.. I only think I tried it once or

twice, and found that doing NONE of that was much better..

Instructions will tell you to set the auto-ject to 6.. as that's the

most common setting.. If you don't have a ton of meaty tissue in

your upper arms.. set it back to 4 or 5.. less likely to nick or

completely hit a vein that way.. thighs & hips as well as belly

can be at 6 with very little trouble.. AVOID stretch marks as often

as you can.. at all costs.. if you have to use an area with tons of

them (like my belly is) try to locate in between if possible..

You won't need to pre-medicate with Tylenol or Advil or anything

actually... My first injection, I stupidly tried to follow the

Avonex pattern.. and used the back of my leg (plenty of fatty tissue

there).. but sitting on the injection site, isn't pleasant.. and it

stung for a couple hours.. If you avoid a spot that might have

pressure on it for any period of time, that's best.. the sting

(which you may or may not experience) will only last for a minute or

two, and is really no more painful than a bee sting.. You may welt

following the injection as well.. could welt quite a large area..

but no need to fret on that.. it only "looks" bad.. it will fade in

an hour or so.. After the welt fade, you may experience heat and

redness in that area.. avoid rubbing it for 24 hours.. If a cool

cloth or something cool would help you, it's fine to use that to

reduce the heat and redness..but that also only lasts for a few

hours in most cases.. even if it's still there the next day.. for me

anyway, it's not anything to cause concern..

IF you would happen to nick a vein and the Copaxone enters the vein

(though it's not in the documentation) that's when the flushing and

shortness of breath occurs.. depending on how much of the drug

enters the vein, will affect the length of time this reaction will

continue.. just be aware that it could happen (nothing to be afraid

of or worried about.. in 3 years I've only every hit a vein one

time) but just be aware that it could happen (when I did it, I

actually questioned WHY I wasn't feeling any of this stuff because I

KNEW I hit the vein.. but the onset was not immediate.. I had time

to turn back to the desk, unscrew the auto-ject, cap the needle,

drop it on the desk and put the auto-ject back together before the

flushing started.. and it was first.. felt incredibly hot.. So that

would another clue that you may become short of breath.. it will be

scary should it happen.. AGAIN.. NOT A FREQUENT HAPPENING.. (once in

3 years for me.. and watching the depth of the auto-ject prevents

that).. but should it occur.. try to sit back and relax.. do not try

and put your head between your knees when you feel light headed, it

will cause an immediate pounding headache.. that will stop when you

sit back up.. lean back in your chair and remind yourself to take

long slow deep breaths and not allow panic to set in.. IT WILL

PASS..

If at all possible, have someone around with you when you do your

injections.. if the above should occur.. they can help remind you to

breath and try to relax.. and talk you through it to keep panic from

setting in as well..

Now NONE of that was meant to scare you off this stuff.. even that 1

episode that I had in the 3 years I've been on.. was nowhere near

what I went through the 4 years I was on Avonex..

Remember to alter your injection sites every day.. I used to do..

arm arm, leg leg, belly, hip hip.. and knew which day of the week

was which body part to be injected.. (I now use both sides of my

belly, cause it's sooooo big there's lots of area to use)..

What I think you might want to do though.. is kind of pay attention

to the way your legs work.. and you're going to think I'm completely

off the wall.. my neurologist just raised eyebrows.. but the Shared

Solutions nurse told me that I wasn't just imagining what I was

feeling.. she'd just never had anyone tell her they felt a

difference the first day.. and I DID feel a difference in my legs..

the first night.. and maybe it was only because it was during a trip

to the bathroom in the middle of the night that made me notice it

much more quickly than others.. not sure.. The nurse told me that it

was about 2 weeks into therapy when she started hearing reports of

this.. she said others never felt anything different and some were

six months into therapy before they noticed the difference..

Within two weeks I was walking once again without a cane for

assistance.. and shortly thereafter went back to work (when the job

became available)..and was making trips up and down stairs more than

several times a day.. and continued to do so until May of 2009..

when a major flare hit me.. and that put me back to wall walking,

and the physical therapist said I really needed, and she ordered a

wheeled walker, to prevent me from falling because my balance was so

off..

I stopped taking the stuff for a couple of months... well probably

most of this year.. think I have about six months of the stuff

expired in the fridge that needs to be tossed..

But I'm lucky, I guess.. when I started back on it, on August 23rd,

I think it was, and once again, I felt it working right away.. and

one day last week, I spent ALL of the day making it around the house

with my walker rather than using my power chair.. of course.. I

deserved the smack in the head I got, for stopping in the first

place, but a bout of imbalance really set in.. I couldn't even use

the walker safely because my balance was soooo off.. so the power

chair for the living room and around out here.. the manual chair to

get me from bed to the bathroom at night..

The imbalance has subsided.. so now I get to start working the

stiffness out of my legs and trying to build up stamina with the

walker again..

But once again.. I'll swear.. that they will take the Copaxone from

me when the pry it out of my cold dead hands... It's a darned good

therapy. and even if daily sounds daunting.. it becomes part of

morning routines.. pop all of my pills and then pop myself with an

injection in the morning..

And all is right with the world until time for my next round of

pills (which IS the problem.. I forget the noon/afternoon doses

quite frequently.. LOL)

Hope this helps

HUGS

|)onna

Well, being off therapy since May is killing me!!!!

My neuro has decided to put me on Copaxone until "the

pill" comes out. Funny, "the pill" always had a

different meaning to us ladies didn't it? So, all you

fellow MSers need to fill me in on this drug! I've done

the Rebif, Avonex and Tysabri. They all quit working so

I've got to get on something to thwart some of these

symptoms until "the pill" is approved by our glorious

FDA for use in the good ole USA. Been having some

lovely numb spots everywhere! The other day I swear I

woke up to an epidural, but only in my back. Now that

was a nice feeling for a change! Usual I ache so bad

from the fibro in my lower back that I actually welcomed

that nice MS symptom. But the numbness and tingling and

sometimes almost paralizing symptoms have gotten to be

too much so Copaxone here we come!

Tammy, Tx

[Guest guest]

Fantastic and complete 'coverage' of Copaxone injecting, Donna!I could not have said it better! I wholeheartedly agree with everything!love, Kate Re: Copaxone-I'm starting - TammyTo: MSersLife > Tammy,> > First and foremost.. do NOT follow the actual directions that > come with > the Copaxone telling you to keep the bubble pack out for 20 > minutes to > warm up before injecting!.. It will sting for a long long time > if you > follow those directions.> > It was suggested, and does work better.. if you take out the > card with 5 > syringes to the card.. and leave it out for 24 hours before > injecting.. > leaving the remaining four in the dark blue zipper pouch that > should > come with your start up kit type stuff.. If it doesn't.. find > someplace > "dark" to keep them, but at room temperature... when you are > down to the > last two injections from that card of 5.. take out the next > card, and > place it in the pack as well.. (The people at Shared Solutions > will > confirm this.. or should since I got this little hint from them > way back > when)..> > Secondly... their instructions will tell you to either ice > before and > heat after.. but what you want to do is the exact opposite.. > (got that > from them as well).. but you will get to the point that icing > and heat > aren't necessary.. I only think I tried it once or twice, and > found that > doing NONE of that was much better..> > Instructions will tell you to set the auto-ject to 6.. as that's > the > most common setting.. If you don't have a ton of meaty tissue in > your > upper arms.. set it back to 4 or 5.. less likely to nick or > completely > hit a vein that way.. thighs & hips as well as belly can be at 6 > with > very little trouble.. AVOID stretch marks as often as you can.. > at all > costs.. if you have to use an area with tons of them (like my > belly is) > try to locate in between if possible..> > You won't need to pre-medicate with Tylenol or Advil or anything > actually... My first injection, I stupidly tried to follow the > Avonex > pattern.. and used the back of my leg (plenty of fatty tissue > there).. > but sitting on the injection site, isn't pleasant.. and it stung > for a > couple hours.. If you avoid a spot that might have pressure on > it for > any period of time, that's best.. the sting (which you may or > may not > experience) will only last for a minute or two, and is really no > more > painful than a bee sting.. You may welt following the injection > as > well.. could welt quite a large area.. but no need to fret on > that.. it > only "looks" bad.. it will fade in an hour or so.. After the > welt fade, > you may experience heat and redness in that area.. avoid rubbing > it for > 24 hours.. If a cool cloth or something cool would help you, > it's fine > to use that to reduce the heat and redness..but that also only > lasts for > a few hours in most cases.. even if it's still there the next > day.. for > me anyway, it's not anything to cause concern..> > IF you would happen to nick a vein and the Copaxone enters the > vein > (though it's not in the documentation) that's when the flushing > and > shortness of breath occurs.. depending on how much of the drug > enters > the vein, will affect the length of time this reaction will > continue.. > just be aware that it could happen (nothing to be afraid of or > worried > about.. in 3 years I've only every hit a vein one time) but just > be > aware that it could happen (when I did it, I actually questioned > WHY I > wasn't feeling any of this stuff because I KNEW I hit the vein.. > but the > onset was not immediate.. I had time to turn back to the desk, > unscrew > the auto-ject, cap the needle, drop it on the desk and put the > auto-ject > back together before the flushing started.. and it was first.. > felt > incredibly hot.. So that would another clue that you may become > short of > breath.. it will be scary should it happen.. AGAIN.. NOT A > FREQUENT > HAPPENING.. (once in 3 years for me.. and watching the depth of > the > auto-ject prevents that).. but should it occur.. try to sit back > and > relax.. do not try and put your head between your knees when you > feel > light headed, it will cause an immediate pounding headache.. > that will > stop when you sit back up.. lean back in your chair and remind > yourself > to take long slow deep breaths and not allow panic to set in.. > IT WILL > PASS..> > If at all possible, have someone around with you when you do > your > injections.. if the above should occur.. they can help remind > you to > breath and try to relax.. and talk you through it to keep panic > from > setting in as well..> > Now NONE of that was meant to scare you off this stuff.. even > that 1 > episode that I had in the 3 years I've been on.. was nowhere > near what I > went through the 4 years I was on Avonex..> > Remember to alter your injection sites every day.. I used to > do.. arm > arm, leg leg, belly, hip hip.. and knew which day of the week > was which > body part to be injected.. (I now use both sides of my belly, > cause it's > sooooo big there's lots of area to use)..> > What I think you might want to do though.. is kind of pay > attention to > the way your legs work.. and you're going to think I'm > completely off > the wall.. my neurologist just raised eyebrows.. but the Shared > Solutions nurse told me that I wasn't just imagining what I was > feeling.. she'd just never had anyone tell her they felt a > difference > the first day.. and I DID feel a difference in my legs.. the > first > night.. and maybe it was only because it was during a trip to > the > bathroom in the middle of the night that made me notice it much > more > quickly than others.. not sure.. The nurse told me that it was > about 2 > weeks into therapy when she started hearing reports of this.. > she said > others never felt anything different and some were six months > into > therapy before they noticed the difference..> > Within two weeks I was walking once again without a cane for > assistance.. and shortly thereafter went back to work (when the > job > became available)..and was making trips up and down stairs more > than > several times a day.. and continued to do so until May of 2009.. > when a > major flare hit me.. and that put me back to wall walking, and > the > physical therapist said I really needed, and she ordered a > wheeled > walker, to prevent me from falling because my balance was so off..> > I stopped taking the stuff for a couple of months... well > probably most > of this year.. think I have about six months of the stuff > expired in the > fridge that needs to be tossed..> > But I'm lucky, I guess.. when I started back on it, on August > 23rd, I > think it was, and once again, I felt it working right away.. and > one day > last week, I spent ALL of the day making it around the house > with my > walker rather than using my power chair.. of course.. I deserved > the > smack in the head I got, for stopping in the first place, but a > bout of > imbalance really set in.. I couldn't even use the walker safely > because > my balance was soooo off.. so the power chair for the living > room and > around out here.. the manual chair to get me from bed to the > bathroom at > night..> > The imbalance has subsided.. so now I get to start working the > stiffness > out of my legs and trying to build up stamina with the walker again..> > But once again.. I'll swear.. that they will take the Copaxone > from me > when the pry it out of my cold dead hands... It's a darned good > therapy. > and even if daily sounds daunting.. it becomes part of morning > routines.. pop all of my pills and then pop myself with an > injection in > the morning..> > And all is right with the world until time for my next round of > pills > (which IS the problem.. I forget the noon/afternoon doses quite > frequently.. LOL)> > Hope this helps> > HUGS> |)onna> > > >> >> > Well, being off therapy since May is killing me!!!! My neuro > has > > decided to put me on Copaxone until "the pill" comes out. > Funny, "the > > pill" always had a different meaning to us ladies didn't it? > So, all > > you fellow MSers need to fill me in on this drug! I've done > the > > Rebif, Avonex and Tysabri. They all quit working so I've got > to get > > on something to thwart some of these symptoms until "the pill" > is > > approved by our glorious FDA for use in the good ole USA. > Been having > > some lovely numb spots everywhere! The other day I swear I > woke up to > > an epidural, but only in my back. Now that was a nice feeling > for a > > change! Usual I ache so bad from the fibro in my lower back > that I > > actually welcomed that nice MS symptom. But the numbness and > tingling > > and sometimes almost paralizing symptoms have gotten to be too > much so > > Copaxone here we come!> > Tammy, Tx> >> >> >> >> > > love and blessings,Kate

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kate, (In more ways than one.. you were my savior way back

when)

I forgot to mention that IF the shortness of breath thing should

ever occur.. that when you have someone else with you.. THEY will do

all the panicking for you.. LOL.. Poor was almost there when my

reaction started (I was working that morning, he wasn't, so he was

still in bed.. when he finally came running cause I was pounding on

the bathroom wall and wouldn't answer him).. HE'S THE ONE who

grabbed the phone, wanted to call 911.. paled out.. and tired to go

into hysterics.. which actually helped keep me from doing so..

because I had to keep him calm.. LOL....

I would have died rolling on the floor laughing at him.. had I been

able to at that second.. I DO laugh at him now though.. and he gets

upset when I laugh at him about his reaction.. which was way way way

worse than mine..

I did also forget to mention, that should you have that reaction..

then you follow the directions and call your neurologist to report

it.. Mine only had me inject HALF a dose the following day.. (I'm

pretty sure that was a "get back on the horse that threw you" type

deal..) and if I didn't have any reaction to that, return to the

full dose the following day.. The half dose was tricky.. cause you

can't use the auto-ject for that.. and even though I could do the

manual injection myself.. it just seemed less painful, if I

inflicted THAT pain on .. made him do the manual instead of me..

LOL.. Oh I could give him nervous break-down so quickly with the

MonSter by my side.. especially at injection time.. make him use the

auto-ject and then winch or do the draw your breath in through your

teeth sound - like slurping soup - when he injects.. gets him every

time..

I AM SO VERY MEAN AND AWFUL!!!!..

Oh well.. nature screams.. darned water pill anyway..

Here's to a great day for you and yours.. and I'm off to the races..

soon have the carpet worn out between the computer and the bathroom!

HUGS

|)onna

Fantastic and complete

'coverage' of Copaxone injecting, Donna!

I could not have said it better! I wholeheartedly agree with

everything!

love, Kate

Re: Copaxone-I'm starting - Tammy

To: MSersLife

> Tammy,

>

> First and foremost.. do NOT follow the actual directions

that

> come with

> the Copaxone telling you to keep the bubble pack out for 20

> minutes to

> warm up before injecting!.. It will sting for a long long

time

> if you

> follow those directions.

>

> It was suggested, and does work better.. if you take out

the

> card with 5

> syringes to the card.. and leave it out for 24 hours before

> injecting..

> leaving the remaining four in the dark blue zipper pouch

that

> should

> come with your start up kit type stuff.. If it doesn't..

find

> someplace

> "dark" to keep them, but at room temperature... when you

are

> down to the

> last two injections from that card of 5.. take out the next

> card, and

> place it in the pack as well.. (The people at Shared

Solutions

> will

> confirm this.. or should since I got this little hint from

them

> way back

> when)..

>

> Secondly... their instructions will tell you to either ice

> before and

> heat after.. but what you want to do is the exact

opposite..

> (got that

> from them as well).. but you will get to the point that

icing

> and heat

> aren't necessary.. I only think I tried it once or twice,

and

> found that

> doing NONE of that was much better..

>

> Instructions will tell you to set the auto-ject to 6.. as

that's

> the

> most common setting.. If you don't have a ton of meaty

tissue in

> your

> upper arms.. set it back to 4 or 5.. less likely to nick or

> completely

> hit a vein that way.. thighs & hips as well as belly

can be at 6

> with

> very little trouble.. AVOID stretch marks as often as you

can..

> at all

> costs.. if you have to use an area with tons of them (like

my

> belly is)

> try to locate in between if possible..

>

> You won't need to pre-medicate with Tylenol or Advil or

anything

> actually... My first injection, I stupidly tried to follow

the

> Avonex

> pattern.. and used the back of my leg (plenty of fatty

tissue

> there)..

> but sitting on the injection site, isn't pleasant.. and it

stung

> for a

> couple hours.. If you avoid a spot that might have pressure

on

> it for

> any period of time, that's best.. the sting (which you may

or

> may not

> experience) will only last for a minute or two, and is

really no

> more

> painful than a bee sting.. You may welt following the

injection

> as

> well.. could welt quite a large area.. but no need to fret

on

> that.. it

> only "looks" bad.. it will fade in an hour or so.. After

the

> welt fade,

> you may experience heat and redness in that area.. avoid

rubbing

> it for

> 24 hours.. If a cool cloth or something cool would help

you,

> it's fine

> to use that to reduce the heat and redness..but that also

only

> lasts for

> a few hours in most cases.. even if it's still there the

next

> day.. for

> me anyway, it's not anything to cause concern..

>

> IF you would happen to nick a vein and the Copaxone enters

the

> vein

> (though it's not in the documentation) that's when the

flushing

> and

> shortness of breath occurs.. depending on how much of the

drug

> enters

> the vein, will affect the length of time this reaction will

> continue..

> just be aware that it could happen (nothing to be afraid of

or

> worried

> about.. in 3 years I've only every hit a vein one time) but

just

> be

> aware that it could happen (when I did it, I actually

questioned

> WHY I

> wasn't feeling any of this stuff because I KNEW I hit the

vein..

> but the

> onset was not immediate.. I had time to turn back to the

desk,

> unscrew

> the auto-ject, cap the needle, drop it on the desk and put

the

> auto-ject

> back together before the flushing started.. and it was

first..

> felt

> incredibly hot.. So that would another clue that you may

become

> short of

> breath.. it will be scary should it happen.. AGAIN.. NOT A

> FREQUENT

> HAPPENING.. (once in 3 years for me.. and watching the

depth of

> the

> auto-ject prevents that).. but should it occur.. try to sit

back

> and

> relax.. do not try and put your head between your knees

when you

> feel

> light headed, it will cause an immediate pounding

headache..

> that will

> stop when you sit back up.. lean back in your chair and

remind

> yourself

> to take long slow deep breaths and not allow panic to set

in..

> IT WILL

> PASS..

>

> If at all possible, have someone around with you when you

do

> your

> injections.. if the above should occur.. they can help

remind

> you to

> breath and try to relax.. and talk you through it to keep

panic

> from

> setting in as well..

>

> Now NONE of that was meant to scare you off this stuff..

even

> that 1

> episode that I had in the 3 years I've been on.. was

nowhere

> near what I

> went through the 4 years I was on Avonex..

>

> Remember to alter your injection sites every day.. I used

to

> do.. arm

> arm, leg leg, belly, hip hip.. and knew which day of the

week

> was which

> body part to be injected.. (I now use both sides of my

belly,

> cause it's

> sooooo big there's lots of area to use)..

>

> What I think you might want to do though.. is kind of pay

> attention to

> the way your legs work.. and you're going to think I'm

> completely off

> the wall.. my neurologist just raised eyebrows.. but the

Shared

> Solutions nurse told me that I wasn't just imagining what I

was

> feeling.. she'd just never had anyone tell her they felt a

> difference

> the first day.. and I DID feel a difference in my legs..

the

> first

> night.. and maybe it was only because it was during a trip

to

> the

> bathroom in the middle of the night that made me notice it

much

> more

> quickly than others.. not sure.. The nurse told me that it

was

> about 2

> weeks into therapy when she started hearing reports of

this..

> she said

> others never felt anything different and some were six

months

> into

> therapy before they noticed the difference..

>

> Within two weeks I was walking once again without a cane

for

> assistance.. and shortly thereafter went back to work (when

the

> job

> became available)..and was making trips up and down stairs

more

> than

> several times a day.. and continued to do so until May of

2009..

> when a

> major flare hit me.. and that put me back to wall walking,

and

> the

> physical therapist said I really needed, and she ordered a

> wheeled

> walker, to prevent me from falling because my balance was

so off..

>

> I stopped taking the stuff for a couple of months... well

> probably most

> of this year.. think I have about six months of the stuff

> expired in the

> fridge that needs to be tossed..

>

> But I'm lucky, I guess.. when I started back on it, on

August

> 23rd, I

> think it was, and once again, I felt it working right

away.. and

> one day

> last week, I spent ALL of the day making it around the

house

> with my

> walker rather than using my power chair.. of course.. I

deserved

> the

> smack in the head I got, for stopping in the first place,

but a

> bout of

> imbalance really set in.. I couldn't even use the walker

safely

> because

> my balance was soooo off.. so the power chair for the

living

> room and

> around out here.. the manual chair to get me from bed to

the

> bathroom at

> night..

>

> The imbalance has subsided.. so now I get to start working

the

> stiffness

> out of my legs and trying to build up stamina with the

walker again..

>

> But once again.. I'll swear.. that they will take the

Copaxone

> from me

> when the pry it out of my cold dead hands... It's a darned

good

> therapy.

> and even if daily sounds daunting.. it becomes part of

morning

> routines.. pop all of my pills and then pop myself with an

> injection in

> the morning..

>

> And all is right with the world until time for my next

round of

> pills

> (which IS the problem.. I forget the noon/afternoon doses

quite

> frequently.. LOL)

>

> Hope this helps

>

> HUGS

> |)onna

>

>

> >

> >

> > Well, being off therapy since May is killing me!!!! My

neuro

> has

> > decided to put me on Copaxone until "the pill" comes

out.

> Funny, "the

> > pill" always had a different meaning to us ladies

didn't it?

> So, all

> > you fellow MSers need to fill me in on this drug! I've

done

> the

> > Rebif, Avonex and Tysabri. They all quit working so

I've got

> to get

> > on something to thwart some of these symptoms until

"the pill"

> is

> > approved by our glorious FDA for use in the good ole

USA.

> Been having

> > some lovely numb spots everywhere! The other day I

swear I

> woke up to

> > an epidural, but only in my back. Now that was a nice

feeling

> for a

> > change! Usual I ache so bad from the fibro in my lower

back

> that I

> > actually welcomed that nice MS symptom. But the

numbness and

> tingling

> > and sometimes almost paralizing symptoms have gotten

to be too

> much so

> > Copaxone here we come!

> > Tammy, Tx

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

love and blessings,

Kate

[Guest guest]

I certainly don't recall being your 'savior' atany time, Donna! Perhaps you are mixing meup with someone else, my friend.lol about , though.You are a braver woman than I to self injectwithout the autoject. When they taught me todo that, it really freaked me and grossed meout!love, Kate Re: Copaxone-I'm starting - Tammy> > To: MSersLife > >> > > Tammy,> > >> > > First and foremost.. do NOT follow the actual directions that> > > come with> > > the Copaxone telling you to keep the bubble pack out for 20> > > minutes to> > > warm up before injecting!.. It will sting for a long long time> > > if you> > > follow those directions.> > >> > > It was suggested, and does work better.. if you take out the> > > card with 5> > > syringes to the card.. and leave it out for 24 hours before> > > injecting..> > > leaving the remaining four in the dark blue zipper pouch that> > > should> > > come with your start up kit type stuff.. If it doesn't.. find> > > someplace> > > "dark" to keep them, but at room temperature... when you are> > > down to the> > > last two injections from that card of 5.. take out the next> > > card, and> > > place it in the pack as well.. (The people at Shared Solutions> > > will> > > confirm this.. or should since I got this little hint from them> > > way back> > > when)..> > >> > > Secondly... their instructions will tell you to either ice> > > before and> > > heat after.. but what you want to do is the exact opposite..> > > (got that> > > from them as well).. but you will get to the point that icing> > > and heat> > > aren't necessary.. I only think I tried it once or twice, and> > > found that> > > doing NONE of that was much better..> > >> > > Instructions will tell you to set the auto-ject to 6.. as that's> > > the> > > most common setting.. If you don't have a ton of meaty > tissue in> > > your> > > upper arms.. set it back to 4 or 5.. less likely to nick or> > > completely> > > hit a vein that way.. thighs & hips as well as belly can be > at 6> > > with> > > very little trouble.. AVOID stretch marks as often as you can..> > > at all> > > costs.. if you have to use an area with tons of them (like my> > > belly is)> > > try to locate in between if possible..> > >> > > You won't need to pre-medicate with Tylenol or Advil or anything> > > actually... My first injection, I stupidly tried to follow the> > > Avonex> > > pattern.. and used the back of my leg (plenty of fatty tissue> > > there)..> > > but sitting on the injection site, isn't pleasant.. and it stung> > > for a> > > couple hours.. If you avoid a spot that might have pressure on> > > it for> > > any period of time, that's best.. the sting (which you may or> > > may not> > > experience) will only last for a minute or two, and is > really no> > > more> > > painful than a bee sting.. You may welt following the injection> > > as> > > well.. could welt quite a large area.. but no need to fret on> > > that.. it> > > only "looks" bad.. it will fade in an hour or so.. After the> > > welt fade,> > > you may experience heat and redness in that area.. avoid rubbing> > > it for> > > 24 hours.. If a cool cloth or something cool would help you,> > > it's fine> > > to use that to reduce the heat and redness..but that also only> > > lasts for> > > a few hours in most cases.. even if it's still there the next> > > day.. for> > > me anyway, it's not anything to cause concern..> > >> > > IF you would happen to nick a vein and the Copaxone enters the> > > vein> > > (though it's not in the documentation) that's when the flushing> > > and> > > shortness of breath occurs.. depending on how much of the drug> > > enters> > > the vein, will affect the length of time this reaction will> > > continue..> > > just be aware that it could happen (nothing to be afraid of or> > > worried> > > about.. in 3 years I've only every hit a vein one time) but just> > > be> > > aware that it could happen (when I did it, I actually questioned> > > WHY I> > > wasn't feeling any of this stuff because I KNEW I hit the vein..> > > but the> > > onset was not immediate.. I had time to turn back to the desk,> > > unscrew> > > the auto-ject, cap the needle, drop it on the desk and put the> > > auto-ject> > > back together before the flushing started.. and it was first..> > > felt> > > incredibly hot.. So that would another clue that you may become> > > short of> > > breath.. it will be scary should it happen.. AGAIN.. NOT A> > > FREQUENT> > > HAPPENING.. (once in 3 years for me.. and watching the depth of> > > the> > > auto-ject prevents that).. but should it occur.. try to sit back> > > and> > > relax.. do not try and put your head between your knees when you> > > feel> > > light headed, it will cause an immediate pounding headache..> > > that will> > > stop when you sit back up.. lean back in your chair and remind> > > yourself> > > to take long slow deep breaths and not allow panic to set in..> > > IT WILL> > > PASS..> > >> > > If at all possible, have someone around with you when you do> > > your> > > injections.. if the above should occur.. they can help remind> > > you to> > > breath and try to relax.. and talk you through it to keep panic> > > from> > > setting in as well..> > >> > > Now NONE of that was meant to scare you off this stuff.. even> > > that 1> > > episode that I had in the 3 years I've been on.. was nowhere> > > near what I> > > went through the 4 years I was on Avonex..> > >> > > Remember to alter your injection sites every day.. I used to> > > do.. arm> > > arm, leg leg, belly, hip hip.. and knew which day of the week> > > was which> > > body part to be injected.. (I now use both sides of my belly,> > > cause it's> > > sooooo big there's lots of area to use)..> > >> > > What I think you might want to do though.. is kind of pay> > > attention to> > > the way your legs work.. and you're going to think I'm> > > completely off> > > the wall.. my neurologist just raised eyebrows.. but the Shared> > > Solutions nurse told me that I wasn't just imagining what I was> > > feeling.. she'd just never had anyone tell her they felt a> > > difference> > > the first day.. and I DID feel a difference in my legs.. the> > > first> > > night.. and maybe it was only because it was during a trip to> > > the> > > bathroom in the middle of the night that made me notice it much> > > more> > > quickly than others.. not sure.. The nurse told me that it was> > > about 2> > > weeks into therapy when she started hearing reports of this..> > > she said> > > others never felt anything different and some were six months> > > into> > > therapy before they noticed the difference..> > >> > > Within two weeks I was walking once again without a cane for> > > assistance.. and shortly thereafter went back to work (when the> > > job> > > became available)..and was making trips up and down stairs more> > > than> > > several times a day.. and continued to do so until May of 2009..> > > when a> > > major flare hit me.. and that put me back to wall walking, and> > > the> > > physical therapist said I really needed, and she ordered a> > > wheeled> > > walker, to prevent me from falling because my balance was so off..> > >> > > I stopped taking the stuff for a couple of months... well> > > probably most> > > of this year.. think I have about six months of the stuff> > > expired in the> > > fridge that needs to be tossed..> > >> > > But I'm lucky, I guess.. when I started back on it, on August> > > 23rd, I> > > think it was, and once again, I felt it working right away.. and> > > one day> > > last week, I spent ALL of the day making it around the house> > > with my> > > walker rather than using my power chair.. of course.. I deserved> > > the> > > smack in the head I got, for stopping in the first place, > but a> > > bout of> > > imbalance really set in.. I couldn't even use the walker safely> > > because> > > my balance was soooo off.. so the power chair for the living> > > room and> > > around out here.. the manual chair to get me from bed to the> > > bathroom at> > > night..> > >> > > The imbalance has subsided.. so now I get to start working the> > > stiffness> > > out of my legs and trying to build up stamina with the > walker again..> > >> > > But once again.. I'll swear.. that they will take the Copaxone> > > from me> > > when the pry it out of my cold dead hands... It's a darned good> > > therapy.> > > and even if daily sounds daunting.. it becomes part of morning> > > routines.. pop all of my pills and then pop myself with an> > > injection in> > > the morning..> > >> > > And all is right with the world until time for my next round of> > > pills> > > (which IS the problem.. I forget the noon/afternoon doses quite> > > frequently.. LOL)> > >> > > Hope this helps> > >> > > HUGS> > > |)onna> > >> > > > > > >> > > >> > > > Well, being off therapy since May is killing me!!!! My neuro> > > has> > > > decided to put me on Copaxone until "the pill" comes out.> > > Funny, "the> > > > pill" always had a different meaning to us ladies didn't it?> > > So, all> > > > you fellow MSers need to fill me in on this drug! I've done> > > the> > > > Rebif, Avonex and Tysabri. They all quit working so I've got> > > to get> > > > on something to thwart some of these symptoms until "the pill"> > > is> > > > approved by our glorious FDA for use in the good ole USA.> > > Been having> > > > some lovely numb spots everywhere! The other day I swear I> > > woke up to> > > > an epidural, but only in my back. Now that was a nice feeling> > > for a> > > > change! Usual I ache so bad from the fibro in my lower back> > > that I> > > > actually welcomed that nice MS symptom. But the numbness and> > > tingling> > > > and sometimes almost paralizing symptoms have gotten to be too> > > much so> > > > Copaxone here we come!> > > > Tammy, Tx> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > >> >> > love and blessings,> > Kate> >> >> >> > > love and blessings,Kate

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

I might have to wrong Kate... but I was thinking it was you.. living

in New York? sent me a package years ago.. but anywho...

I didn't actually learn to inject, on myself.. Way back when, before

being married and having kids and such.. I had a roommate who was

diabetic.. I felt so bad for her, coming down in the morning with

her arm pinned against a door frame trying to push up the flabby

part of the arm to inject her insulin.. I called her doctor (who

happened to be my doctor as well) and asked if there was a problem

with me doing her insulin injection the mornings of her arms.. Doc

said nope.. explained how to do it and to have show me once

or twice.. I started to do her injections after that.. easy peasy...

when sticking her... a little more difficult doing me.. but after

taking a deep breath.. doable.. LOL..

but why take the deep breath when I can torture ?

HUGS

|)onna

I certainly don't recall being

your 'savior' at

any time, Donna! Perhaps you are mixing me

up with someone else, my friend.

lol about , though.

You are a braver woman than I to self inject

without the autoject. When they taught me to

do that, it really freaked me and grossed me

out!

love, Kate

Re: Copaxone-I'm starting - Tammy

> > To: MSersLife

> >

> > > Tammy,

> > >

> > > First and foremost.. do NOT follow the actual

directions that

> > > come with

> > > the Copaxone telling you to keep the bubble pack

out for 20

> > > minutes to

> > > warm up before injecting!.. It will sting for a

long long time

> > > if you

> > > follow those directions.

> > >

> > > It was suggested, and does work better.. if you

take out the

> > > card with 5

> > > syringes to the card.. and leave it out for 24

hours before

> > > injecting..

> > > leaving the remaining four in the dark blue

zipper pouch that

> > > should

> > > come with your start up kit type stuff.. If it

doesn't.. find

> > > someplace

> > > "dark" to keep them, but at room temperature...

when you are

> > > down to the

> > > last two injections from that card of 5.. take

out the next

> > > card, and

> > > place it in the pack as well.. (The people at

Shared Solutions

> > > will

> > > confirm this.. or should since I got this little

hint from them

> > > way back

> > > when)..

> > >

> > > Secondly... their instructions will tell you to

either ice

> > > before and

> > > heat after.. but what you want to do is the exact

opposite..

> > > (got that

> > > from them as well).. but you will get to the

point that icing

> > > and heat

> > > aren't necessary.. I only think I tried it once

or twice, and

> > > found that

> > > doing NONE of that was much better..

> > >

> > > Instructions will tell you to set the auto-ject

to 6.. as that's

> > > the

> > > most common setting.. If you don't have a ton of

meaty

> tissue in

> > > your

> > > upper arms.. set it back to 4 or 5.. less likely

to nick or

> > > completely

> > > hit a vein that way.. thighs & hips as well

as belly can be

> at 6

> > > with

> > > very little trouble.. AVOID stretch marks as

often as you can..

> > > at all

> > > costs.. if you have to use an area with tons of

them (like my

> > > belly is)

> > > try to locate in between if possible..

> > >

> > > You won't need to pre-medicate with Tylenol or

Advil or anything

> > > actually... My first injection, I stupidly tried

to follow the

> > > Avonex

> > > pattern.. and used the back of my leg (plenty of

fatty tissue

> > > there)..

> > > but sitting on the injection site, isn't

pleasant.. and it stung

> > > for a

> > > couple hours.. If you avoid a spot that might

have pressure on

> > > it for

> > > any period of time, that's best.. the sting

(which you may or

> > > may not

> > > experience) will only last for a minute or two,

and is

> really no

> > > more

> > > painful than a bee sting.. You may welt following

the injection

> > > as

> > > well.. could welt quite a large area.. but no

need to fret on

> > > that.. it

> > > only "looks" bad.. it will fade in an hour or

so.. After the

> > > welt fade,

> > > you may experience heat and redness in that

area.. avoid rubbing

> > > it for

> > > 24 hours.. If a cool cloth or something cool

would help you,

> > > it's fine

> > > to use that to reduce the heat and redness..but

that also only

> > > lasts for

> > > a few hours in most cases.. even if it's still

there the next

> > > day.. for

> > > me anyway, it's not anything to cause concern..

> > >

> > > IF you would happen to nick a vein and the

Copaxone enters the

> > > vein

> > > (though it's not in the documentation) that's

when the flushing

> > > and

> > > shortness of breath occurs.. depending on how

much of the drug

> > > enters

> > > the vein, will affect the length of time this

reaction will

> > > continue..

> > > just be aware that it could happen (nothing to be

afraid of or

> > > worried

> > > about.. in 3 years I've only every hit a vein one

time) but just

> > > be

> > > aware that it could happen (when I did it, I

actually questioned

> > > WHY I

> > > wasn't feeling any of this stuff because I KNEW I

hit the vein..

> > > but the

> > > onset was not immediate.. I had time to turn back

to the desk,

> > > unscrew

> > > the auto-ject, cap the needle, drop it on the

desk and put the

> > > auto-ject

> > > back together before the flushing started.. and

it was first..

> > > felt

> > > incredibly hot.. So that would another clue that

you may become

> > > short of

> > > breath.. it will be scary should it happen..

AGAIN.. NOT A

> > > FREQUENT

> > > HAPPENING.. (once in 3 years for me.. and

watching the depth of

> > > the

> > > auto-ject prevents that).. but should it occur..

try to sit back

> > > and

> > > relax.. do not try and put your head between your

knees when you

> > > feel

> > > light headed, it will cause an immediate pounding

headache..

> > > that will

> > > stop when you sit back up.. lean back in your

chair and remind

> > > yourself

> > > to take long slow deep breaths and not allow

panic to set in..

> > > IT WILL

> > > PASS..

> > >

> > > If at all possible, have someone around with you

when you do

> > > your

> > > injections.. if the above should occur.. they can

help remind

> > > you to

> > > breath and try to relax.. and talk you through it

to keep panic

> > > from

> > > setting in as well..

> > >

> > > Now NONE of that was meant to scare you off this

stuff.. even

> > > that 1

> > > episode that I had in the 3 years I've been on..

was nowhere

> > > near what I

> > > went through the 4 years I was on Avonex..

> > >

> > > Remember to alter your injection sites every

day.. I used to

> > > do.. arm

> > > arm, leg leg, belly, hip hip.. and knew which day

of the week

> > > was which

> > > body part to be injected.. (I now use both sides

of my belly,

> > > cause it's

> > > sooooo big there's lots of area to use)..

> > >

> > > What I think you might want to do though.. is

kind of pay

> > > attention to

> > > the way your legs work.. and you're going to

think I'm

> > > completely off

> > > the wall.. my neurologist just raised eyebrows..

but the Shared

> > > Solutions nurse told me that I wasn't just

imagining what I was

> > > feeling.. she'd just never had anyone tell her

they felt a

> > > difference

> > > the first day.. and I DID feel a difference in my

legs.. the

> > > first

> > > night.. and maybe it was only because it was

during a trip to

> > > the

> > > bathroom in the middle of the night that made me

notice it much

> > > more

> > > quickly than others.. not sure.. The nurse told

me that it was

> > > about 2

> > > weeks into therapy when she started hearing

reports of this..

> > > she said

> > > others never felt anything different and some

were six months

> > > into

> > > therapy before they noticed the difference..

> > >

> > > Within two weeks I was walking once again without

a cane for

> > > assistance.. and shortly thereafter went back to

work (when the

> > > job

> > > became available)..and was making trips up and

down stairs more

> > > than

> > > several times a day.. and continued to do so

until May of 2009..

> > > when a

> > > major flare hit me.. and that put me back to wall

walking, and

> > > the

> > > physical therapist said I really needed, and she

ordered a

> > > wheeled

> > > walker, to prevent me from falling because my

balance was so off..

> > >

> > > I stopped taking the stuff for a couple of

months... well

> > > probably most

> > > of this year.. think I have about six months of

the stuff

> > > expired in the

> > > fridge that needs to be tossed..

> > >

> > > But I'm lucky, I guess.. when I started back on

it, on August

> > > 23rd, I

> > > think it was, and once again, I felt it working

right away.. and

> > > one day

> > > last week, I spent ALL of the day making it

around the house

> > > with my

> > > walker rather than using my power chair.. of

course.. I deserved

> > > the

> > > smack in the head I got, for stopping in the

first place,

> but a

> > > bout of

> > > imbalance really set in.. I couldn't even use the

walker safely

> > > because

> > > my balance was soooo off.. so the power chair for

the living

> > > room and

> > > around out here.. the manual chair to get me from

bed to the

> > > bathroom at

> > > night..

> > >

> > > The imbalance has subsided.. so now I get to

start working the

> > > stiffness

> > > out of my legs and trying to build up stamina

with the

> walker again..

> > >

> > > But once again.. I'll swear.. that they will take

the Copaxone

> > > from me

> > > when the pry it out of my cold dead hands... It's

a darned good

> > > therapy.

> > > and even if daily sounds daunting.. it becomes

part of morning

> > > routines.. pop all of my pills and then pop

myself with an

> > > injection in

> > > the morning..

> > >

> > > And all is right with the world until time for my

next round of

> > > pills

> > > (which IS the problem.. I forget the

noon/afternoon doses quite

> > > frequently.. LOL)

> > >

> > > Hope this helps

> > >

> > > HUGS

> > > |)onna

> > >

> > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Well, being off therapy since May is killing

me!!!! My neuro

> > > has

> > > > decided to put me on Copaxone until "the

pill" comes out.

> > > Funny, "the

> > > > pill" always had a different meaning to us

ladies didn't it?

> > > So, all

> > > > you fellow MSers need to fill me in on this

drug! I've done

> > > the

> > > > Rebif, Avonex and Tysabri. They all quit

working so I've got

> > > to get

> > > > on something to thwart some of these

symptoms until "the pill"

> > > is

> > > > approved by our glorious FDA for use in the

good ole USA.

> > > Been having

> > > > some lovely numb spots everywhere! The other

day I swear I

> > > woke up to

> > > > an epidural, but only in my back. Now that

was a nice feeling

> > > for a

> > > > change! Usual I ache so bad from the fibro

in my lower back

> > > that I

> > > > actually welcomed that nice MS symptom. But

the numbness and

> > > tingling

> > > > and sometimes almost paralizing symptoms

have gotten to be too

> > > much so

> > > > Copaxone here we come!

> > > > Tammy, Tx

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> > love and blessings,

> > Kate

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

love and blessings,

Kate

[Guest guest]

lol about torturing, , Donna!I DO live in NY, but MS brain doesn'tallow me to recall sending you something.duh-hey!So, you've gotten used to the manual injection;good for you, and so nice of you to help outyour roommate.love, Kate Re: Copaxone-I'm starting - Tammy> > > > To: MSersLife > > > >> > > > > Tammy,> > > > >> > > > > First and foremost.. do NOT follow the actual directions that> > > > > come with> > > > > the Copaxone telling you to keep the bubble pack out for 20> > > > > minutes to> > > > > warm up before injecting!.. It will sting for a long > long time> > > > > if you> > > > > follow those directions.> > > > >> > > > > It was suggested, and does work better.. if you take out the> > > > > card with 5> > > > > syringes to the card.. and leave it out for 24 hours before> > > > > injecting..> > > > > leaving the remaining four in the dark blue zipper pouch that> > > > > should> > > > > come with your start up kit type stuff.. If it doesn't.. find> > > > > someplace> > > > > "dark" to keep them, but at room temperature... when you are> > > > > down to the> > > > > last two injections from that card of 5.. take out the next> > > > > card, and> > > > > place it in the pack as well.. (The people at Shared Solutions> > > > > will> > > > > confirm this.. or should since I got this little hint > from them> > > > > way back> > > > > when)..> > > > >> > > > > Secondly... their instructions will tell you to either ice> > > > > before and> > > > > heat after.. but what you want to do is the exact opposite..> > > > > (got that> > > > > from them as well).. but you will get to the point that icing> > > > > and heat> > > > > aren't necessary.. I only think I tried it once or > twice, and> > > > > found that> > > > > doing NONE of that was much better..> > > > >> > > > > Instructions will tell you to set the auto-ject to 6.. > as that's> > > > > the> > > > > most common setting.. If you don't have a ton of meaty> > > tissue in> > > > > your> > > > > upper arms.. set it back to 4 or 5.. less likely to nick or> > > > > completely> > > > > hit a vein that way.. thighs & hips as well as belly can be> > > at 6> > > > > with> > > > > very little trouble.. AVOID stretch marks as often as > you can..> > > > > at all> > > > > costs.. if you have to use an area with tons of them > (like my> > > > > belly is)> > > > > try to locate in between if possible..> > > > >> > > > > You won't need to pre-medicate with Tylenol or Advil or > anything> > > > actually... My first injection, I stupidly tried > to follow the> > > > > Avonex> > > > > pattern.. and used the back of my leg (plenty of fatty tissue> > > > > there)..> > > > > but sitting on the injection site, isn't pleasant.. and > it stung> > > > > for a> > > > > couple hours.. If you avoid a spot that might have > pressure on> > > > > it for> > > > > any period of time, that's best.. the sting (which you > may or> > > > > may not> > > > > experience) will only last for a minute or two, and is> > > really no> > > > > more> > > > > painful than a bee sting.. You may welt following the > injection> > > > as> > > > > well.. could welt quite a large area.. but no need to > fret on> > > > > that.. it> > > > > only "looks" bad.. it will fade in an hour or so.. After the> > > > > welt fade,> > > > > you may experience heat and redness in that area.. avoid > rubbing> > > > it for> > > > > 24 hours.. If a cool cloth or something cool would help you,> > > > > it's fine> > > > > to use that to reduce the heat and redness..but that > also only> > > > > lasts for> > > > > a few hours in most cases.. even if it's still there the next> > > > > day.. for> > > > > me anyway, it's not anything to cause concern..> > > > >> > > > > IF you would happen to nick a vein and the Copaxone > enters the> > > > > vein> > > > > (though it's not in the documentation) that's when the > flushing> > > > and> > > > > shortness of breath occurs.. depending on how much of > the drug> > > > > enters> > > > > the vein, will affect the length of time this reaction will> > > > > continue..> > > > > just be aware that it could happen (nothing to be afraid > of or> > > > > worried> > > > > about.. in 3 years I've only every hit a vein one time) > but just> > > > > be> > > > > aware that it could happen (when I did it, I actually > questioned> > > > WHY I> > > > > wasn't feeling any of this stuff because I KNEW I hit > the vein..> > > > > but the> > > > > onset was not immediate.. I had time to turn back to the desk,> > > > > unscrew> > > > > the auto-ject, cap the needle, drop it on the desk and > put the> > > > > auto-ject> > > > > back together before the flushing started.. and it was first..> > > > > felt> > > > > incredibly hot.. So that would another clue that you may > become> > > > short of> > > > > breath.. it will be scary should it happen.. AGAIN.. NOT A> > > > > FREQUENT> > > > > HAPPENING.. (once in 3 years for me.. and watching the > depth of> > > > > the> > > > > auto-ject prevents that).. but should it occur.. try to > sit back> > > > > and> > > > > relax.. do not try and put your head between your knees > when you> > > > > feel> > > > > light headed, it will cause an immediate pounding headache..> > > > > that will> > > > > stop when you sit back up.. lean back in your chair and remind> > > > > yourself> > > > > to take long slow deep breaths and not allow panic to > set in..> > > > > IT WILL> > > > > PASS..> > > > >> > > > > If at all possible, have someone around with you when > you do> > > > > your> > > > > injections.. if the above should occur.. they can help remind> > > > > you to> > > > > breath and try to relax.. and talk you through it to > keep panic> > > > > from> > > > > setting in as well..> > > > >> > > > > Now NONE of that was meant to scare you off this stuff.. even> > > > > that 1> > > > > episode that I had in the 3 years I've been on.. was nowhere> > > > > near what I> > > > > went through the 4 years I was on Avonex..> > > > >> > > > > Remember to alter your injection sites every day.. I > used to> > > > > do.. arm> > > > > arm, leg leg, belly, hip hip.. and knew which day of the week> > > > > was which> > > > > body part to be injected.. (I now use both sides of my belly,> > > > > cause it's> > > > > sooooo big there's lots of area to use)..> > > > >> > > > > What I think you might want to do though.. is kind of pay> > > > > attention to> > > > > the way your legs work.. and you're going to think I'm> > > > > completely off> > > > > the wall.. my neurologist just raised eyebrows.. but the > Shared> > > > Solutions nurse told me that I wasn't just > imagining what I was> > > > > feeling.. she'd just never had anyone tell her they felt a> > > > > difference> > > > > the first day.. and I DID feel a difference in my legs.. the> > > > > first> > > > > night.. and maybe it was only because it was during a > trip to> > > > > the> > > > > bathroom in the middle of the night that made me notice > it much> > > > > more> > > > > quickly than others.. not sure.. The nurse told me that > it was> > > > > about 2> > > > > weeks into therapy when she started hearing reports of this..> > > > > she said> > > > > others never felt anything different and some were six months> > > > > into> > > > > therapy before they noticed the difference..> > > > >> > > > > Within two weeks I was walking once again without a cane for> > > > > assistance.. and shortly thereafter went back to work > (when the> > > > > job> > > > > became available)..and was making trips up and down > stairs more> > > > > than> > > > > several times a day.. and continued to do so until May > of 2009..> > > > > when a> > > > > major flare hit me.. and that put me back to wall > walking, and> > > > > the> > > > > physical therapist said I really needed, and she ordered a> > > > > wheeled> > > > > walker, to prevent me from falling because my balance > was so off..> > > > >> > > > > I stopped taking the stuff for a couple of months... well> > > > > probably most> > > > > of this year.. think I have about six months of the stuff> > > > > expired in the> > > > > fridge that needs to be tossed..> > > > >> > > > > But I'm lucky, I guess.. when I started back on it, on August> > > > > 23rd, I> > > > > think it was, and once again, I felt it working right > away.. and> > > > > one day> > > > > last week, I spent ALL of the day making it around the house> > > > > with my> > > > > walker rather than using my power chair.. of course.. I > deserved> > > > the> > > > > smack in the head I got, for stopping in the first place,> > > but a> > > > > bout of> > > > > imbalance really set in.. I couldn't even use the walker > safely> > > > because> > > > > my balance was soooo off.. so the power chair for the living> > > > > room and> > > > > around out here.. the manual chair to get me from bed to the> > > > > bathroom at> > > > > night..> > > > >> > > > > The imbalance has subsided.. so now I get to start > working the> > > > > stiffness> > > > > out of my legs and trying to build up stamina with the> > > walker again..> > > > >> > > > > But once again.. I'll swear.. that they will take the Copaxone> > > > > from me> > > > > when the pry it out of my cold dead hands... It's a > darned good> > > > > therapy.> > > > > and even if daily sounds daunting.. it becomes part of morning> > > > > routines.. pop all of my pills and then pop myself with an> > > > > injection in> > > > > the morning..> > > > >> > > > > And all is right with the world until time for my next > round of> > > > > pills> > > > > (which IS the problem.. I forget the noon/afternoon > doses quite> > > > > frequently.. LOL)> > > > >> > > > > Hope this helps> > > > >> > > > > HUGS> > > > > |)onna> > > > >> > > > > > > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > > Well, being off therapy since May is killing me!!!! My neuro> > > > > has> > > > > > decided to put me on Copaxone until "the pill" comes out.> > > > > Funny, "the> > > > > > pill" always had a different meaning to us ladies > didn't it?> > > > > So, all> > > > > > you fellow MSers need to fill me in on this drug! I've done> > > > > the> > > > > > Rebif, Avonex and Tysabri. They all quit working so > I've got> > > > > to get> > > > > > on something to thwart some of these symptoms until > "the pill"> > > > > is> > > > > > approved by our glorious FDA for use in the good ole USA.> > > > > Been having> > > > > > some lovely numb spots everywhere! The other day I > swear I> > > > > woke up to> > > > > > an epidural, but only in my back. Now that was a nice > feeling> > > > for a> > > > > > change! Usual I ache so bad from the fibro in my lower back> > > > > that I> > > > > > actually welcomed that nice MS symptom. But the > numbness and> > > > > tingling> > > > > > and sometimes almost paralizing symptoms have gotten > to be too> > > > > much so> > > > > > Copaxone here we come!> > > > > > Tammy, Tx> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > > > love and blessings,> > > > Kate> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > >> >> > love and blessings,> > Kate> >> >> >> > > love and blessings,Kate

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