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Eloise 10/27/2008

I took my 3rd injection today of Copaxone. I really hate this shot every day thing. The Avonex was only once a week, but the flu stuff was awful so switched.

Thus far--usual site reactions but no big deal. First shot--painless; second and third shots--quite painful. Advice? First shot abdomen and 2nd shot hip. Third shot--other side of abdomen but I didn't really get much of the medication as the needle surprised me when it went in and i reacted by pulling it out, with the medicine squirting all over. Very slight skin reaction, so I did get a little of it.

Have used warm pack before injection; cold pack after. Cold pack really helps. Any other advice would be appreciated. What depth do you find works best? I've been using an '8' and find that the injection/needle itself is painful. Maybe I'm just hitting nerves.

Feedback will be appreciated!

Michelle (Eloise)

deleted_user 10/27/2008

I took Copax for ten months and it worked well for me but Ive switched to Tysabri.I only had a bad reaction to Copax (injection site-wise) once and thats when I caught a quad muscle. Avoid that. Painful for a few days. If u have washboard abs then skip that spot. Oh and that auto-injector is cool.....all u gotta do is load the needle and press 1 button and it delivers the shot to the same depth everytime (u set it). Good luck with Copax....TC

deleted_user 10/30/2008

Hey Michelle,

3 years now on Copaxon and I don't know why...but some hurt really bad and some don't. I swear sometimes I think it is the medication! I like the ice myself and other then that I just try to ignore it till it goes away! I find that a 6 is best for me....but I am all bones. I do think we hit a lot of under the skin nerves though and not much you can do about that. Funny...I look for what part of me is numb! That way I don't feel a thing! Good Luck Sweetpea!

deleted_user 10/30/2008

I think it depends on where you are injecting it. You can use a deeper injection site at places with more fat, lighter with less fatty areas. I finally gave up with the autoject and just did it manually. It never was any better than a bad wasp sting-lol, but way better than the Avonex.Unfortunately, I ended up with hives.

deleted_user 10/30/2008

I have been on Copaxone for a little over a year. First two months I got the site thing and stinging. I increased my gage to 8 and that helped so much! I don't do the ice or heat thing. I have avoided my legs because they would be sore for days after. I talked to a nurse and she suggested streaching my legs out in front of me when I do my shots. Also if you sit indian style and do it at the top of you legs. I am now using my legs without much pain or welts.

deleted_user 10/30/2008

i have been on it for about two months and yes i agree it can be very painful . i did the same thing too. i was using the auto-ject on my thigh and when i heard it click i jumped and the medicine went everywhere. but i'm sure it has happened to everyone at least once. good luck!!!

deleted_user 10/30/2008

also on my autoject i set it on 4 but i'm pretty small. and as for the cold pack i can't use it after because on me it seems to make the pain worse. so i really haven't found anything to help afterwards. i hope you can find something that will help you. god bless!!!!

deleted_user 10/30/2008

I still get stinging after the injection. So, I put an ice pack on the site right away and keep it there for 20 minutes. It really helps. I inject manually and haven't had many problems. You could try that. Best of luck to you.

deleted_user 10/30/2008

I also do manually and I pinch the skin in the fattiest area possible. I also tilt the needle at 45 degree angle. Doing manually, sticking in quickly works a lot better. go slowly with the plunger, about 20 seconds. and take it out slowly, too. That is how I am doing it now and it is working fine. Good luck. I hope you get the hang of it soon, because once you do, it really is nothing much at all! Clare

deleted_user 11/01/2008

I did Copaxone for a few months and it just did not agree with my body. I used a 3 setting because I am so thin, but I still had to pinch the skin. Also, for lumps, I was told to do heat before and after, which helped for a little while. Are you sure the alcohol is dry enough before injecting? That could cause burning. Also, play with the adjustments. It can't hurt to try different settings in other areas of your body.

deleted_user 11/02/2008

self injecting took away all of the sight reactions for me. i put on a hot pack for a few minutes afterwards because it's soothing, but not necessary

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