Copaxone strange side effects

[MDeStef84]

I'm wondering if anyone else here has had any issues with Copaxone concerning side effects other then the injection site reactions?

I've been on Copaxone for 3 months now, I am agitated, frustrated, quick to anger. I've also been experiencing paranoia and mild visual hallucinations. I'm getting sick at least every 2 weeks, and have a general feeling of "un-well" or "ill". I have no more energy at all, gaining weight rapidly and can't seem to get a handle on this. I tried to stop the Copaxone for a few days, but I got sick, nauseas, diarrhea, vomiting, took it the next night and *poof* all of that disappeared.

Are there withdrawal symptoms when stopping Copaxone? I have an appointment with my Neuro on 10/19 to see if maybe we can discuss switching meds. I know paranoia, agitation and hallucinations are documented rare side effects of Copaxone, but I've only ever had a history of anxiety. I've seen a psychiatrist, and started group counseling to deal with the added frustration, irritability and anxiety, also for the mild hallucinations.

My psychiatrist did some deep digging into Copaxone and believes that I'm having medicinally induced hallucinations and paranoia. But I really don't want to withdrawal off of this medication!

Just looking to see if anyone has had any similar experiences?

Hope everyone has a great week!!  

[zoefromsussex]

I haven't heard of the hallucination issues but I myself was only on copaxone for around a week before my neuro stopped it because my heart was racing and I couldn't sleep or eat whilst taking it and all this stopped as soon as I came off the drug. It may have been coincidence but I don't believe so.
I don't know about the weight gain either as my understanding is that copaxone would be more likely to cause weight loss rather than gain but I'm not an expert! Just wanted to share my own experience of copaxone.

[Lulu54]

Hi! I know this has to be so worrisome and its important you find the cause of your problems.  I honestly have never heard of copaxone causing hallucinations or paranoia.  I don't think it is a drug that would induce that type of side effect.  

I found an interesting look at the data on copaxone and hallucinations at
http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/copaxone/hallucinations,+mixed
"On Aug, 31, 2013: 9,277 people reported to have side effects when taking Copaxone. Among them, 5 people (0.05%) have Hallucinations, Mixed."

the most recent was one person in 2011.  It would be difficult to prove hallucinations were a side effect of copaxone, based on those very small numbers.  

There are no withdrawal symptoms from going off copaxopne. it is not an addictive drug and can be stopped without any side effects of harm.  

Please take the time to talk to your other medical providers now and don't wait until the neuro appointment - there is something going on that needs to be looked at closer.

feel better, Laura