Kelly, that really does sound like an allergic reaction. I woudnt take it any longer. Its unfortunte, but some poeple just cant get used to copaxone either..I know of several people who had the same thing happen to them and they are all on Rebif now.
You mentioned being afraid of the side effects of the interferons. Dont be. If you take avonex, youlll have them for a day or two after the shot once a week. If you take Rebif, youll have them for 6 hours, 3 times a week....and betaseron, about 8 hours, every other day...BUT all of these side effects diminsh over a period of 2-6 months. Mine were completely gone by month 4.
I love Rebif. The first month there are NO side effects becasue you are on the titration pack - the dose is very low, allowing you a chance to get used to the drug...its not until the 2nd month that you hit full dosage and MIGHT get the flu like symtoms....not everyone gets them. But, I did- and I took 2 aleve before the shot and they stopped. Its very controllable. Rebif is also the smallest needle on the market and truthfully, its been great, for me.
Whatever you do, dont keep taking the Copaxone until you see your doctor. Rashes and hives and a tickle in your throat is NOT normal and you might want up with a more severe reaction with each shot you do...hold off, go see your doctor. Remember these are drugs, and many people have reactions to differnt drugs. Copaxone is also more prone to allergic reactions becasue it is synthetic (manmade). The Interferons are actually derived from what is already in your body, therefore your tolerance level should be higher.

Good luck.
Nikki

I was diagnosed with MS in April of 2008. I tried IVIG and experienced HORRIBLE allergic reactions. I also tried Avonex and was having miserable side effects ('flu' for 48 hours after shots)at a 25% dosage.

I have been taking Copaxone for about two months. Skin reactions have been rough; itchy, rashy, swollen....and, I have lumps at the injection site for about 5 days following the shot.

My doctor initially instructed me to have the Auto-Injector set at 4. (I am thin; 5'6, 110lbs and muscular.) I called Shared Solutions after one week of shots & rashes and they confirmed that the setting of 4 was correct.

Last week, I had Shared Solutions send a local nurse to my home to see if there was something I was doing incorrectly that was causing the reactions. This woman (note I am not going to even refer to her as a 'nurse') told me that the Auto Injector should be set between 6 and 8. I questioned her numerous times, as this was the opposite of what I had previously been told...I was also warned against injecting into a muscle...this woman said it was perfectly fine if that happened.

That evening, I injected into my thigh on a 6 setting. By the next morning I couldn't walk. A phone call to Shared Solutions confirmed my assumption; I had injected into muscle which leads to spasms, pain and atrophy. Luckily, within 48 hours the pain had gone away completely and I was able to walk.

I am now back to injecting on a 4, and, I have 7 lumps and nasty rashes(one for each injection site this week) all over my torso & legs.

So, my question is....has anyone else had an experience like this? I don't trust Shared Solutions at this point after the 'nurse' they sent to my home. I really want Copaxone to work...as my doctor said my next step would be Tysabri. I am PETRIFIED of Tysabri; the stats on PML are really scary...

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
:)
dawn