Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Glatopa's Glatopaject instructions
Images of Glatopaject instructions, aplogize for the low quality of the pictures.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Update: My transition to Glatopa
Well, I have been on Glatopa for 10 days now. I was a little leery, having only been on Copaxone since I was diagnosed; however, the transition has been seamless (alcohol pads were even provided in the kit, seeing as I had gotten use to none in Copaxone kits). Glatopa's autoject is a little different then the one I had been using for Copaxone, but I found it very easy to switch to. I was told the Glatopa autoject is not the same as Copaxone's, therefore only administer Glatopa with it's corresponding autoject. I have yet to utilize Glatopa support network, GlatopaCare, but have signed up and anticipate checking it out in the future.
It pleases me to know the blog I started (and still post to, occasionally) to not only serve as a personal journal and family/friend informative site has now helped a stranger.
It pleases me to know the blog I started (and still post to, occasionally) to not only serve as a personal journal and family/friend informative site has now helped a stranger.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
I've switched to Copaxone's generic, Glatopa
You've read it correctly, for the first time since being on Copaxone, I have been switched to a different medication.
Glatopa (Sandoz, a Novartis company, developed in collaboration with Momenta Pharmaceuticals) is the first generic version of Copaxone that has been approved by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Copaxone and Glatopa contain the SAME active ingredient, glatiramer, in the SAME amount and work the SAME way in the body to help manage Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The Glatopa dose will be the same as the Copaxone dose, both 20 mg, is injected daily, in the fatty layer under your skin (subcutaneously). I will also be using a NEW auto-injector device for Glatopa as my Copaxone auto-injector is not compatible with Glatopa syringes.
I am finishing up the last remaining 2-syringe supply of my Copaxone, but I am sure it will be a seamless transition. However, I do think it will be pretty strange/bittersweet to no longer be working with Shared Solutions, who has been my support and network for MS from day one since being on Teva Pharmaceuticals' Copaxone.
Glatopa's GlatopaCare will be the new support network, and I just hope it's as good as SharedSolutions.
I still am still hopeful to eventually switch to the next-generation formulation of Copaxone 40mg, that works longer, and so requires fewer monthly doses. For this to option to happen, I'm waiting on Kaiser to put it on the formulary.
Glatopa (Sandoz, a Novartis company, developed in collaboration with Momenta Pharmaceuticals) is the first generic version of Copaxone that has been approved by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Copaxone and Glatopa contain the SAME active ingredient, glatiramer, in the SAME amount and work the SAME way in the body to help manage Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The Glatopa dose will be the same as the Copaxone dose, both 20 mg, is injected daily, in the fatty layer under your skin (subcutaneously). I will also be using a NEW auto-injector device for Glatopa as my Copaxone auto-injector is not compatible with Glatopa syringes.
I am finishing up the last remaining 2-syringe supply of my Copaxone, but I am sure it will be a seamless transition. However, I do think it will be pretty strange/bittersweet to no longer be working with Shared Solutions, who has been my support and network for MS from day one since being on Teva Pharmaceuticals' Copaxone.
Glatopa's GlatopaCare will be the new support network, and I just hope it's as good as SharedSolutions.
I still am still hopeful to eventually switch to the next-generation formulation of Copaxone 40mg, that works longer, and so requires fewer monthly doses. For this to option to happen, I'm waiting on Kaiser to put it on the formulary.
Monday, March 9, 2015
MRI (Brain) results
Well hello (if any one even follows this blog still)!!
Not much has been going, but I had a MRI completed yesterday, 3/8/2015. Quick and easy = no contrast agent (gadolinium) was administered. I think the funnest part about the MRI appointment was the interaction I had with the technologist conducting the scan. He asked if I've had an MRI before. I answered "oh, yes, this will be my 7th.....I have MS." His response, "oh, really, I would not have ever thought you had MS" was great to hear! I do get that surprised response from many people after they find out I have MS. Anyway, the results: My neurologist reviewed the MRI report and images, similar in appearance to prior exam in 2011, no significant change or new lesions.
Most of you know I have been administering a daily 20mg injectable therapy medication called Copaxone. Last year, the 3-times-a-week COPAXONE 40 mg was approved. I emailed my neurologist explaining how I was curious if the 40mg is on the formulary yet, and if so, it would be something I would now consider switching to (as long as he agreed). Dr informed me he called the Pharmacy to change to 40 mg dose. Well, turns out the 40 mg is not on the Kaiser formulary yet as it currently has a monthly copay of $1,200. No way... I will be sticking with the daily poke for a bit longer! Major ugh!
Other than that things are going a-okay!
Not much has been going, but I had a MRI completed yesterday, 3/8/2015. Quick and easy = no contrast agent (gadolinium) was administered. I think the funnest part about the MRI appointment was the interaction I had with the technologist conducting the scan. He asked if I've had an MRI before. I answered "oh, yes, this will be my 7th.....I have MS." His response, "oh, really, I would not have ever thought you had MS" was great to hear! I do get that surprised response from many people after they find out I have MS. Anyway, the results: My neurologist reviewed the MRI report and images, similar in appearance to prior exam in 2011, no significant change or new lesions.
Most of you know I have been administering a daily 20mg injectable therapy medication called Copaxone. Last year, the 3-times-a-week COPAXONE 40 mg was approved. I emailed my neurologist explaining how I was curious if the 40mg is on the formulary yet, and if so, it would be something I would now consider switching to (as long as he agreed). Dr informed me he called the Pharmacy to change to 40 mg dose. Well, turns out the 40 mg is not on the Kaiser formulary yet as it currently has a monthly copay of $1,200. No way... I will be sticking with the daily poke for a bit longer! Major ugh!
Other than that things are going a-okay!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Well, well.. I have to say I have been meaning to log-in to this site for quite some time to post something, but what?! :) Things are going well, no exacerbations/relapses, hence the lack of MS activity postings since late 2012. Life is going great, busy and it will get busier since summer is right around the corner.
On 5/20 Casey accompanied me to a local lunch MS Event I had registered for (and it was also his birthday). The topic was 'Intro to the 3-times a week Copaxone 40mg experience' where as I am still on the 7-times a week (daily) 20 mg Copaxone injections. Other than the event's informative topic, we also learned about some new tools such as the new phone app to record my injections (vs the paper book I receive yearly) and injection site updates. I also learned that I should have a new autoject every yr to yr & half. I was not aware of this at all, so I have been using the same autoject since 5/2007. I called and requested a new autoject and received not one, but two yesterday. I was told the reasoning for the new autoject is because the spring within the device can weaken; however, mine has been working just fine but it's always a good idea to have extras should something occur.
I will try to be better and add posting more frequently, but as I say, if there aren't any new postings, well hey, that is a good thing :) Have a great summer & remember to reapply yur sunscreen!
On 5/20 Casey accompanied me to a local lunch MS Event I had registered for (and it was also his birthday). The topic was 'Intro to the 3-times a week Copaxone 40mg experience' where as I am still on the 7-times a week (daily) 20 mg Copaxone injections. Other than the event's informative topic, we also learned about some new tools such as the new phone app to record my injections (vs the paper book I receive yearly) and injection site updates. I also learned that I should have a new autoject every yr to yr & half. I was not aware of this at all, so I have been using the same autoject since 5/2007. I called and requested a new autoject and received not one, but two yesterday. I was told the reasoning for the new autoject is because the spring within the device can weaken; however, mine has been working just fine but it's always a good idea to have extras should something occur.
I will try to be better and add posting more frequently, but as I say, if there aren't any new postings, well hey, that is a good thing :) Have a great summer & remember to reapply yur sunscreen!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
So, a friend of mine sent me an email last week letting me know she periodically checks my MS blog but noticed there hasn't been anything since June and asks if no news (as in nothing to blog about) good news? I hope so.
Guess it has been a while since my last post - more than a year - that is unacceptable! :) Anyway... Nope, I haven't made any postings since not thing to report; however, for almost two weeks now I think I have been experiencing a exacerbation. My left leg feels a bit odd, not numb but just a strange sensation. I know if I go to the doctor he would offer me a prescription for steroids but I don't think that is necessary. Besides, if I can manage, I feel it is unnecessary to drug myself. I think if things were/got worse, it would be a different situation. Some people may disagree, and that is okay, but this is what I have decided to do. Other than that things are going just fine.
Happy holidays to everyone!!
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