Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Injection site help

jlynn032
jlynn032
I am on my second week of Copaxone. I have no problems with my arms, abdomen, and hip area, but the ones in my legs are horrible! I inject slightly in toward the inner thigh because I don't think there is enough fat above the muscle in the area diagramed on the injection site guide. Where do you all inject yourselves when you do your legs? The initial injection isn't painful at all, but the burning from the medication is more widespread and much more painful than it is in all of the other sites. It feels like I stabbed myself with a steak knife! Am I injecting in the wrong spot, or is this normal for the legs? Ugh. Any advice? Thanks in advance. ~Jlynn
deleted_user
deleted_user
Jlynn, I had the exact same problem as you. I talked to the nurse at Shared Solutions and she told me that if I can't pinch 1 inch of "fat" on top of my leg to dial the setting on the autoject down to 4. I discovered this is too low and now go between 4 and 6. I also inject slightly to the inside. I did it once on top and it was horrible.

Good luck!
Kris
deleted_user
deleted_user
Don't do the inner thigh -- ever. Call Shared Solutions and they'll explain the reasons why.

Put your hand on your thigh,in the center, and inject anywhere that the hand would cover. Try turning your AutoInject to a lower setting -- maybe a 4 if you usually use a 6. That helps me a lot. My legs are just fine when I inject (one a lower setting), but my arms burn horribly.

When I was first trained, the nurse told me to inject AROUND the hand. I would inject on the inner thigh thinking that it would be more fatty, be easier. The SS nurse on a follow up phone call flipped out and said it's bad, very bad to inject there.

I've read that many people have problems with their legs, so you're not alone.

Sending Sunshine your way!
Kim
www.sunshineandmoonlight.wordpress.com
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I used to take Copaxone, I would HATE taking my injections in the inner thigh--it's TOO painful. Try injecting in the outer thigh, and if it's still too unberable, call Shared Solutions. I used to be able to "skip" an injection site, and everything was okay.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have resorted to making the injection indifferent areas around my stomach....only.
I have not run into any problems making the injections there. I do not inject in the same place each day, I just switch from above, below, then switch sides around my belly button. It is the only place that I can get a pinch of fat. On occatin I make the injections at the hip. Maybe I am not doing this right but I have injecting myself for 3 years now.
I always hit the mussel in my arms and legs which causes mussel spassums but they don't hurt fortunatly but, I don't like those mussel spassums.
I refuse to make the injections under my arms, it hurts and causes spassums.

Hope all is OK with you jlynn.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I just did a Rebif injection last night on my thigh. I use the middle of the thigh and pinch the top until the needle is all the way in. The meds do sting me when they are injected, but it's not horrible.