cold chills and copaxone

Hi Barb,
I've been on Copaxone for 7 months now and I have to say that I have not experienced the chills. I have, however, had the chills (to the point of shivering) during flare ups...although based on your description it sounds like these are more likely injection related. Have you talked to your neuro about this? Did she have any kind of insight or suggestions?

I can understand why you are frustrated with this! How long have you been taking the Copaxone anyway? The first few months were frustrating for me as well. It took me that long to adjust and to figure out what works best for me. Honestly, I feel that there will never be any reaction-free injections. But what I had to figure out is what I can do and what I can live with.

I had a huge problem with welts and lumps too. I got some help from my neuro, who got me in touch with a different copaxone nurse (because I guarantee you every single nurse will tell you something different!). The advice I got from this particular nurse was something that I was finally able to use, and her tips and tricks have helped. I inject deeper now than I used to (with the autoject) and ice for 10 minutes afterwards. This does make for a bit more pain with injection (sometimes quite a bit more) but its tolerable and it usually subsides pretty quickly. It has solved my problems with the welts and lumps, though, and for me a little extra pain in the beginning is worth the trade off. I still get bumps, but they are tiny. I can live with that.

Don't give up! Talk to your neuro. Talk to a different copaxone nurse (the one I talked to was not a shared solutions nurse....she was a local nurse who was copaxone trained. I was able to talk to her face to face, which made a huge difference than over the phone!).

Good luck and keep us posted! Remember, I'm pullin' for ya....we're all in this together.

I have been taking Copaxone for 6 years now. I was originally doing the 20mg 7 days a week, then I got lazy - knowing that the 40mg was available I actually just did a double shot every 2 days, still alternating injection sites. Eventually I got the 40mg and do the shots 3 times a week like prescribed.

I have had the flushing and tight chest now 3 times total. It seems to be random, but perhaps is linked to when I get more in a vein than in the fat under the skin.

Yesterday I did my left arm and had the worst reaction to date. I immediately had a "wave" of pins and needles move from my scalp to the back of my head and ears to my upper back and chest. Then I had the flushing and tight chest. 30 to 40 minutes later I started feeling achy in my groin and then my feet and hands and wrists. Then I got real cold and started chattering. Seeing others online like this forum I figured I would state that my cold chills also lasted about 2 hours. I took a hot bath and felt better, but needed to stay in the water.

Regarding the welts, my welts were horrible but really subsided after 4 to 6 months, and to this day simply do not inject in my legs ever. I just rotate from right arm, left arm, left hip, left stomach, right stomach, right hip and right arm.

I injected my copaxone yesterday, and I'm having cold chills this evening. Then later, I will probably get really hot, as I do in the middle of the night, every night.....