LC33
06-16-2008, 02:09 PM
I am taking Copaxone and everytime I do the injection I get huge painful, itchy welts that last for 3 days. If I do not get a welt, I end up with a huge bruise. What does this mean? Could this mean I am injecting too deep? Does anyone know how to stop these reactions from happening?
Heather:confused:
Heather:confused:
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Bearygood
06-16-2008, 02:38 PM
Hi, Heather, and welcome. I do not take Copaxone but I can definitely tell you that injection site reactions are not uncommon. That and "denting" seem to be the complaints I see most often.
As far as the bruising though, I don't know. To be on the safe side, if I were you I'd put in a call to Shared Solutions and/or your doctor. It could be the way you're injecting -- if so, they can help guide you better and perhaps offer some tips. And in any case, better to be on the safe side. :)
As far as the bruising though, I don't know. To be on the safe side, if I were you I'd put in a call to Shared Solutions and/or your doctor. It could be the way you're injecting -- if so, they can help guide you better and perhaps offer some tips. And in any case, better to be on the safe side. :)
Nenu
06-16-2008, 02:53 PM
I've had both. It's part of the injection deal.
As far as I see it, it could be worse. Like the side effects that some experience on other DMDs.
Sometimes I get away with no effects beyond the burning. Those are small victories. But then today for example, I did my injection, went really smooth, no burn, and bam, bump under the skin in that area. Quite a large one too ;)!
I don't panic about this anymore. It'll go away eventually!
As far as I see it, it could be worse. Like the side effects that some experience on other DMDs.
Sometimes I get away with no effects beyond the burning. Those are small victories. But then today for example, I did my injection, went really smooth, no burn, and bam, bump under the skin in that area. Quite a large one too ;)!
I don't panic about this anymore. It'll go away eventually!
kimpossible67
06-16-2008, 03:21 PM
Mine started like that, too but then got worse. I called SS and the nurse came out and agreed I was injecting the right depth and I was having a reaction. Mine were hot and huge. My neuro promptly took me off of Copaxone. My welts didn't disappear for months and it has been over a year since my last injection and I still can see the permanent mark where the last few were. If it continues, or gets worse, call your SS nurse and have them come out to look at it. One of my closest friends has MS too and the same thing happened to her, her lumps never did disappear totally.
LC33
06-16-2008, 04:54 PM
Did your neurologist put you on another medication after taking you off of Copaxone because of your reactions?
kimpossible67
06-16-2008, 06:04 PM
Yes, Avonex. No site reactions on that at all. I'm not on anything anymore, however because I no longer have insurance but yes, Avonex worked great. Bigger needle which looks intimidating but it didn't hurt at all and is only once a week. Good luck and please call SS if you continue to have welts that don't seem normal. Mine at the end, were about 2-3 inches thick, red and hottttttttttttt.
motep
06-21-2008, 04:41 PM
I was getting HUGE welts, bruised, itchy and painful at the same time, and god forbid if anyone brushed one of them for at least two weeks. :eek:
I talked to Shared Solutions, and the nurse agreed that I was injecting too deeply. I'm overweight, but I have a lot of muscle too, so I was actually injecting into the muscle and giving myself deep muscle bruises. I adjusted my technique (I don't use the auto-injector), and go in at a slight angle, and it's much better now.
I still have itchy/painful hot bumps, but they only last a few days now, and not all of them last even that long. Every once in a while, I get a bad one, but it's NOTHING like it was before.
Talk to SS, and maybe get your nurse to come out again, if you need it. Good luck.
I talked to Shared Solutions, and the nurse agreed that I was injecting too deeply. I'm overweight, but I have a lot of muscle too, so I was actually injecting into the muscle and giving myself deep muscle bruises. I adjusted my technique (I don't use the auto-injector), and go in at a slight angle, and it's much better now.
I still have itchy/painful hot bumps, but they only last a few days now, and not all of them last even that long. Every once in a while, I get a bad one, but it's NOTHING like it was before.
Talk to SS, and maybe get your nurse to come out again, if you need it. Good luck.
taosdaphne
06-21-2008, 06:17 PM
I've been on Copaxone about 9 months (after big liver problems with Rebif.) I get the burning, and when I inject on my arms I get those horrible, itchy welts, but they usually last only 15 minutes or so. Sometimes I use the injector, other times I'm lazy and just inject. It's mostly the site of the injection that accounts for the everity of welts. Arnica gel is a great help.
Nenu
06-21-2008, 08:27 PM
Best solution I have heard for the big bumps after injection, press and hold your cotton ball for 30 seconds following injection. It works like a charm for me!
Shelly7630
07-16-2008, 02:02 PM
Hi Again Nenu. I was just researching some boards on Copaxone and came across this. Are you still on it? I called SS on my achiness issues and of course the itching and pain that comes along with injections. They are sending me some ice packs to apply before and after the injections. I know two years ago they used heat. Anyhow, I tried some ice before the injection and that worked great. I do get the lumps that go away shortly. The stinging is like a bee bite that is nothing (to me) in comparision to my nerve pain. It was a relief to see that others have the same reactions. Now, I need to find if anyone has had this muscle stiffness and pain due to it.
Shelly7630
07-16-2008, 02:04 PM
I find that getting just the right injection depth works like a charm. I always have BAD reactions when rotating to the upper hip. Always go to deep and walk around with a bruise.
Nenu
07-16-2008, 02:17 PM
Hi Again Nenu. I was just researching some boards on Copaxone and came across this. Are you still on it? I called SS on my achiness issues and of course the itching and pain that comes along with injections. They are sending me some ice packs to apply before and after the injections. I know two years ago they used heat. Anyhow, I tried some ice before the injection and that worked great. I do get the lumps that go away shortly. The stinging is like a bee bite that is nothing (to me) in comparision to my nerve pain. It was a relief to see that others have the same reactions. Now, I need to find if anyone has had this muscle stiffness and pain due to it.
I am still shooting Copax! I get the burn still. Some locations on some days, the burn is minimal or almost non existent. I don't pre-ice or pre-medicate at all, and I do mine manually (never used the AI, however I keep up to speed watching instructional clips should the time come to need it).
The site reaction is all I get from mine, and it goes away very quickly for me. I've never had much more than the site reaction.
Like you said, the reaction is so much less than the nerve pain. That's the worst of what I am experiencing (although I count myself lucky.. I could have trouble walking, and without a car that would be tough. I walk everywhere!).
I am still shooting Copax! I get the burn still. Some locations on some days, the burn is minimal or almost non existent. I don't pre-ice or pre-medicate at all, and I do mine manually (never used the AI, however I keep up to speed watching instructional clips should the time come to need it).
The site reaction is all I get from mine, and it goes away very quickly for me. I've never had much more than the site reaction.
Like you said, the reaction is so much less than the nerve pain. That's the worst of what I am experiencing (although I count myself lucky.. I could have trouble walking, and without a car that would be tough. I walk everywhere!).
DavidLeeK
07-17-2008, 12:56 AM
i talked to the shared solutions nurse about this
first, use a heating pad for 5 minutes on the injection site prior to injection
also, injecting too deep is one problem, too shallow causes more problems
I inject with the autoinjector set on 6 for all locations other than my thighs, i set at 5 since i have very little fat
you can also put the heating pad on for a few minutes after the injection
first, use a heating pad for 5 minutes on the injection site prior to injection
also, injecting too deep is one problem, too shallow causes more problems
I inject with the autoinjector set on 6 for all locations other than my thighs, i set at 5 since i have very little fat
you can also put the heating pad on for a few minutes after the injection
LC33
07-21-2008, 04:19 PM
Hi. I am considering going off of the Copaxone and switching to Avonex? Does anyone think this is a bad idea? I am fresh out of college and these welts are really bad. They also never really go away. The first neurologist I saw told me to go on Copaxone, but the one I am seeing now told me she never would have put me on Copaxone and would have done Avonex? I am nervous to switch, so if anyone has any insight I would appreicate it. Thanks!:confused:
kimpossible67
07-21-2008, 05:17 PM
That is just what happened to me. I went off the Copaxone (Dr. IMMEDIATELY took me off) and I went on Avonex, no problems, no site reaction. Good luck :)
Hi. I am considering going off of the Copaxone and switching to Avonex? Does anyone think this is a bad idea? I am fresh out of college and these welts are really bad. They also never really go away. The first neurologist I saw told me to go on Copaxone, but the one I am seeing now told me she never would have put me on Copaxone and would have done Avonex? I am nervous to switch, so if anyone has any insight I would appreicate it. Thanks!:confused:
Hi. I am considering going off of the Copaxone and switching to Avonex? Does anyone think this is a bad idea? I am fresh out of college and these welts are really bad. They also never really go away. The first neurologist I saw told me to go on Copaxone, but the one I am seeing now told me she never would have put me on Copaxone and would have done Avonex? I am nervous to switch, so if anyone has any insight I would appreicate it. Thanks!:confused:
LC33
07-21-2008, 05:19 PM
Did you get the flu-like symptoms? If so, how long did they last? How long have you been on Avonex?
LC33
07-21-2008, 05:27 PM
I am scared of switching. Were you nervous? I do not want something really bad to happen since it is a inferferon and I am afraid of getting sick.
LC33
07-21-2008, 05:29 PM
I am scared something will happen with my blood count and my liver.
kimpossible67
07-21-2008, 06:21 PM
Did you get the flu-like symptoms? If so, how long did they last? How long have you been on Avonex?
It wasn't bad at all. I got a bit of a temp through the night and felt a little dumpy was all but I took the board advice and took Aleve before my shot and it worked great. It was MUCH better than the Copaxone reactions. That and I much prefered the once a week to every day shots. As far as the rest of it goes, that is a decision you have to make. I'm just telling you my experience with both drugs. I wish you well in your decision.
It wasn't bad at all. I got a bit of a temp through the night and felt a little dumpy was all but I took the board advice and took Aleve before my shot and it worked great. It was MUCH better than the Copaxone reactions. That and I much prefered the once a week to every day shots. As far as the rest of it goes, that is a decision you have to make. I'm just telling you my experience with both drugs. I wish you well in your decision.
kimpossible67
07-21-2008, 06:22 PM
I am scared of switching. Were you nervous? I do not want something really bad to happen since it is a inferferon and I am afraid of getting sick.
I was a little nervous about the flu-like symptoms but they weren't as bad as what I was expecting at all. I'm not on any shots anymore because I lost health insurance. I was on Avonex about two months. Copaxone about a month and a half.
I was a little nervous about the flu-like symptoms but they weren't as bad as what I was expecting at all. I'm not on any shots anymore because I lost health insurance. I was on Avonex about two months. Copaxone about a month and a half.
MSNik
07-21-2008, 07:04 PM
LC33, excuse me for butting in, but you might want to read up on avonex or Rebif, they are the same drug in the threads here. There are hundreds of posts on the side effects that will help you if you switch. Most people only have side effects for a short period of time, a few months at most- and there are no skin reactions, like Copaxone can give you. The only difference between Avonex and Rebif, is Rebif is alittle stronger, given 3 times a week, with a tiny little needle, under the skin; while Avonex is a slightly larger needle, given into the muscle once a week. I know of many, many people who have switched from Copaxone to either Avonex or Rebif and have had no problems....Liver enzymes are checked quarterly with a blood test, and most people do not have any problems with elevation. Hope this helps.
Nikki
Nikki