Rebif Injection Site - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

niki12 · 03-06-2008, 07:37 AM

I am on my second week of rebif. This morning i noticed from mondays shot on my back butt area it has a black and blue the size of a half dollar and red all around it. Wednesdays shot this morning had pin sized red marks and has fadded to just a small bruise. Is this normal or am i doing something wrong maybe pushing to hard on the injector. I dont know and wanted to be sure. Thanks everyone.

MSNik · 03-06-2008, 05:35 PM

Hi Niki.
Rebif. what a fun drug, huh? I can honestly tell you that almost 18 months after I started it, Im still getting the red marks 2 days after I inject- and they stay on my body for about 3-4 days...just in time for the next one to show up.
Bruises MIGHT mean that you are pushing too hard...for awhile there, I only used the auto-injector, but found that the site reactions were worse for me, especially on my tummy and my thighs..Im pretty tiny and very thin skinned.
In my arms and butt, the autoinjector is basically the only way I can do it alone, so I use it there still...
HOWEVER, having spoken to the Rebif nurse in the beginning when I was getting bruised - she did tell me to lighten up on my push and also to turn the injector down a notch as far as depth goes...dont know what setting you have it on, but you do know you can set it at 1-2-3, 3 being the deepest? Try turning it down a notch and see if that helps.

My bruises turned from BRUISES to red marks, and to me, thats progress. I no longer bruise at all....however, as long as you are NOT getting raised bumps or scaley irritation or itching, its probably just your body getting used to the whole thing...if you have any side effects like things that just dont look right, or itch, or are raised- definately call the Rebif nurse immediately and report it. She might come back to your home to look at you..

One more thing I want you to look into...visit your local health food store or viatmin shop and ask about Arnica Gel...its clear, odorless and completely painless- I use it every single time I inject for massaging the area afterwards...it totally cuts down on the time it takes my red marks to go away and it also helped stop bruising. Arnica is an all natural root which the Indians use to prevent bruises- its great for EVERYTHING...especially massaging injection marks! Give it a whirl...you can also try Aloe gel, but I really think Arnica works better.

hope this helps you.
Nikki