Copaxone lumps???? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

fancycanelady · 04-05-2006, 11:03 AM

Hi all. I haven't been on in a LONG time. I hope this finds all of you doing well, and taking each day as it comes. I'm still on my cane and having quite a few vision problems, but am still enjoying life as much as possible.

I was on Rebif for a little while, but had a terrible allergic reaction to it, so my neuro started me on Copaxone about a month ago. My question to any of you who are also on Copaxone is this------
Do the LUMPS ever go away????????

For the first 2 weeks, I had NO injection site problems whatsoever, but now, after each shot, the next morning there is quite a good sized lump and they itch a bit. I have massaged the lumps and iced them, but they are still able to be seen.
I'd appreciate any insight you all can provide! Thanks in advance!
Ellen

lilc · 04-06-2006, 04:55 AM

HEY, FANCY!!! Good to hear from you again. I've been on Copaxone since November. I don't usually get the lump problem, but did need to tweak the needle depth for different sites. Do call Shared Solutions, the nurses have been very helpful to me. (They'll probably call you any day, they called me at least once a month the first 3 months.)

baddoey · 04-06-2006, 09:05 AM

I get lumps and bruises. . they suck. . for lack of a better word. . my tummy has these permanent bruises that have been there for months, no more bikinis!. . . my legs are lumpy too. . annoys me considering a run quite a bit and I used to have nice legs!. . I don't have many problems with the arms or hips. .

fancycanelady · 04-06-2006, 09:15 AM

Thanks to those who replied! Hi Lilc!
Shared solutions has been calling me on a regular basis, but so far agrees with my neuro that the needle depth should be on "8". What is yours? I started on 8 with no problems and just cannot understand why, after more than 2 weeks, I'm getting these HUGE lumps now for the past 2 weeks! I'm calling to call my neuro (well his nurse anyway - she's fantastic!) and see what they suggest. All the literature I've read suggests that the needle be set on "6".
Everybody.., have a great day!!
Ellen

orngcrayon · 04-06-2006, 10:09 AM

hey! I've been on copaxone since August 05, and I had the lump problem REALLY bad to begin with - they were huge, solid, and painful! They would stick around for 2-3 weeks. I played with needle depth a lot , and that didn't seem to affect the lumps. I massaged them a ton, and that seemed to speed up their disappearance a little (but not much).

I have noticed that when I inject without the autoject, I seem to have fewer site reactions. So when I inject in easy-to-get to places (tummy, thighs), i dont use it. But I still use it on my arms and hips. I keep my needle depth at 6, I guess I'm pretty average weight for a 22 year old... on the thin side, but can pretty easily manage to pull up an inch to inject into =)

The good news is.... after a while, the lumps gradually stopped appearing. I still have a little stiffness around the injection site for a day or two, but no more big, solid lumps. It's hard to tell when that happened - maybe around month 3 or 4? Seemed like my body just got used to it.

I've also had that rushing, anxiety attack type side effect twice. It happens when the copaxone gets into your veins - it's pretty scary, but its just like the packaging says - it goes away on its own in about 10 minutes. I've started icing my injection site for about a minute before I inject, and I haven't had that happen again.