Sunday, June 27, 2010 Anna asks

Q: Can copaxone make you feel even more tired then usual?

I was diagnosed with RRMS and I'm on Copaxone. Since I've been taking it I've noticed I feel much more tired then usual. Is that something that will pass or is it a side affect that will stay with me? Has anyone else experienced this?

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Answers (3)
7/ 1/10 9:41am

I've been taking Copaxone for many years now (over 10 I think) and have not had this symptom.  I do my best to take it at a regular time, in my case after dinner, and usually I am resting then, watching TV or on the computer, but not very active.  I don't know if this helps or not, but when I have had problems with other medications I try to take them at times when side effects might be less noticable to me.

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7/ 1/10 7:50pm

I'm glad to hear that you aren't feeling tired from copaxone. MothermayI also hasn't experienced it. It's good to know that it isn't the copaxone. I take it in the evening and try to do it about the same time. I have done it an hour later at times. It may just be the MS and it's making me feel more tired then usual. I'm going to mention the tiredness to my doctor on my next appointment. Thank you for the good advice.

 

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7/ 1/10 8:13am

Hi, I have been on Copaxone since 2007 and haven't experienced that side affect from the med. I have had some serious bouts of panic attacks though. I think the tiredness is the MS and not the C. My two cents. Anyone else? hang in there, I feel that summer is the toughest season for my MS symptoms. 

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7/ 1/10 7:26pm

I really appreciate your letting me know that you haven't experienced any tiredness. I think I need to make an appointment to see my doctor to find out why I am feeling this way. I'm glad to know that it's not the copaxone.

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7/ 1/10 7:34pm

I have been on Copaxone for almost 2 years. I think the tiredness comes along with the disease itself. I do feel more tired in the summer months. My Neuro. started me on a medicine for fatigue and that has helped some. You may want to talk to your Dr. and see if there is something to help you. Hang in there!

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7/ 1/10 8:10pm

Thank you for letting me know that there is a medicine for the fatigue that I can ask my Neuro for. I sure can use it. It has been really warm here and I wasn't thinking about the heat. Thank you for reminding me of that. I haven't been on copaxone very long. I was surprised at how long it stings. Shared solutions are going to send me an extra hot/cold pack. They said to apply a cool compress afterward to help relieve it. Have you tried it and does it help?

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7/ 2/10 6:14pm

yes, I have tried the hot/cold pack and it does help some. Another thing you can try is topical Anbesol or Oragel (prior to injection), this will numb the site for awhile. I was diagnosed in 2000 and have tried lots of stuff. I will have to give the Copaxone credit for not having the ugly side effects that the other med. I was on had.

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7/ 5/10 1:41pm

I never thought of Anbesol or Oragel, that's a great idea. Thank you for letting me know about that. I plan on picking some up. I have heard that the other meds cause flu like symptoms but I don't know much else about them. I'm glad that Copaxone doesn't do that.

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7/ 5/10 6:23pm

yeah, the other medicine was a beast. I would always dread the week- ends .I would take my injection then so I would have time to get over the side effects so it would not interfer with my job. The Copaxone is so much better for me so far. I hope it helps you too :)

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8/ 5/10 3:13pm

Yes! At least for me. I was on Copaxone for 3 months and experienced extreme fatigue, so I went off it and felt a lot better. Just to confirm the fatigue wasnt from the disease itself, my neuro had me restart the Copaxone to see what the effect would be. Sure enough, my fatigue returned. Now, the question is Beta or Rebif?

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7/ 1/10 8:13am

Hi, I have been on Copaxone since 2007 and haven't experienced that side affect from the med. I have had some serious bouts of panic attacks though. I think the tiredness is the MS and not the C. My two cents. Anyone else? hang in there, I feel that summer is the toughest season for my MS symptoms. 

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By Anna— Last Modified: 02/24/12, First Published: 06/27/10