Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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tiredbunni 05/20/2008

Hi I have been on Avonex about 16 months now. I have developed a rash which I uses cortisone on it for two months now. This week I noticed my arm looked bruised but it is more than that, I have a knot in my arm and is swollen. I have knots in my hips from so many iron shots in the past which means I can't take any shots in my hips. If my arms are starting with knots, I will have to change location for shots.... thighs most likely.

I was trying to looking back through the posts where I though someone stated about shots in belly. I don't recall if that was for injections into the muscle. I think they said it hurt less than other places which you would think would hurt more.

Can those who are doing that tell me if you this is true and if you had any problems developing knots in your belly doing this? I won't be giving myself the injection the nurse at my doctor's office does it. She is very sweet as she gets me in and out with in about 5-10 minutes.

Thank you for your help.

tiredbunni 05/20/2008

I guess I got bumped down. That is ok. I talked with the Avonex support people. My arm is bruised the size of the rash now and they took my report. Bruising is a sign of possible liver problems. I will tell my neuro next month and been tested again. Of course, I will report this to the nurse.

I asked about the belly for site injection. She said that is not a recommended site but to ask my doctor about it.

I have applied ice to the bruise swelling (knot) ... oh goodness that hurts. Just doing short periods of time as it causing too much pain.

I guess this is for those that fall in the small category of having site reactions from Avonex.

deleted_user 05/20/2008

Hey Tiredbunni,
I'm on betaseron, which is not intramuscular and one of my sites is the belly. In fact, that's the least painful one on me.
I DO get site reactions tho and found shea butter gently rubbed in helps. Arnica might help too. It didn't work for me but some folks like it.
Good luck!

deleted_user 05/20/2008

Just posted this in reply to question about avonex self injector Thought you might find it helpful.

I took avonex for 6 years. I hated the shot itself and the awful side affects put me down for 2 days afterward. I think my neuro gave me avonex thinking once a week was better than a subcutaneious injection a few times a week. I just started copaxone one week ago. OMG ! I used to DREAD my avonex injection. Even tho the copaxone is everyday its a breeze (i'm using the self injector, butas soon as I'm more confident I am going to try it without the injector, as the injector really SLAMS it in).

The Avonex injection is awful compared to my copaxone. Maybe you should discuss alternatives with your doc. I wish I had.

deleted_user 05/24/2008

My husband takes the Avenox but they instructed him to put it in his thigh. So far he has not had any issues, but I will be watching from now on. His doctor also recommended taking some motrin prior to giving himself the shot. - Please keep us posted what the dic says....

deleted_user 05/24/2008

Me too. I inject in my thigh, alternating legs. I've always thought we use the thigh for the muscle mass.

I've only had minor bruising a few times.

JC1958 05/24/2008

I have been on Avonex for over two years, I have never taken my shot anywhere but my thighs, only had one episode of a lump. Call the Avonex Nurseline and ask about other injection sites, I was under the impression that there were only six sites for Avonex, top of thigh, outer thigh, and upper arms.

JC

deleted_user 05/24/2008

I am on Rebif and I inject 3 times a week. I alternate arm,stomach,leg,hip.I also do one week on the lt side and one week on the right. I take Advil before,use lidocaine patches, and warm compresses before and after. My shots are subq. I don't know if all MS treatments are subq or not. I have spots after my injections, but no lumps. The belly is the least painful for me. The leg seems to be the worst!! Hope this helps.

deleted_user 05/24/2008

i inject in my belly but my shot is subcutaneous (copaxone) i get knots and burises everytime but that might be because i'm on blood thinners so i dunno.
they go down after a couple of days just keep rotating the site i guess...sorry if this didn't help

tiredbunni 05/24/2008

Thank you for all your replies. I guess I mentioned the belly site as that is where my mom does her shots for Osteoporosis. However, that is under the skin. I told her it was different than in the muscle. She disagreed with me.

You are right about the locations about the sites. There is only three. I will be switching to top of thigh.

I guess I should have rotated sooner. The nurse ask me before but I wasn't ready.

It seems I am prone to knots after getting so many shots. My hips did the same after 40 iron shots.

I am not switching unless I have to. My insurance covers the whole cost except $10 for visit. I only have one day of discomfort. I have allergic reaction to band aids and allergic to so many things to to chance it. Thank you again.

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