Copaxone injection sites

[cin68]

I started Copaxone over a month ago and I am having issues with my legs and arms.  It is a blessing and a pain at the same time because I know exactly where my last three injections were, because the lumps stay for three weeks.
I still have three lumps on each arm and on my legs.  The ones on my legs leave horrible welps and are discoloring the skin permenantly.
Oh and I hate doing my hips and stomach because I am supposed to avoid a stretch mark, that is like looking for a needle in a hay stack.
Regarding the legs, am I supposed to only do the top?  That hurts like crazy cause I have chicken legs, but the inside of my legs have a little fat on them.  I did a couple of shots on the inside of my thighs and it left a huge lump and discolored.  The shot I gave myself 2 weeks ago is still bright red.
I am so ready for the pill.
Ok got that off my chest!!  Anybody else experiencing those lovely symptoms?
Cin

[rendean]

Hi Cin,

I'm sorry you are having site reactions. They stink, trust me I know!

On my thighs I use the outer part where there is more "meat" and use a 4 settings, It still hurts and needs ice even after a year plus, but it's doable. I was told by Shared Solutions to massage them out right at the 24 hr mark after applying heat to the area and have had some success with lasting lumps.

The skin discoloration is only on my stomach. No lumps but faint pinkish brown spots left in 2 places.  The thighs are the most painful to me and I dread them!!! For chicken legs I would use the outer side, just past the diagram in the book SS gives you. If you do it directly on top and you have little sub-q fat there, you are injecting into muscle.

The injections DO get easier and better over time. Hang in there!

Ren

[moose28]

I am a copaxone newbie - only been doing it for a little over a week. It seems to vary each and every time at each site - sometimes I get a huge red welt that lasts for hours and sometimes goes away quickly.
I did the inside of my thigh last week and it stayed raised (not red) for a few days and I can still tell where it was.
Unfortunately I don't have any stellar advice for ya - but I also am not loving the symptoms/after math of the shots!
Take Care
Marty

[Lulu54]

Hi Cin,

Adjusting to this routine and the welts is one of the largest problems with new copaxone users.  Have you tried to adjust the depth of your shots?  It can make a big difference - my neuro says to go as deep as I can stand, which for me is pretty far.  I haven't had chicken legs in years.

Have you tried the heat pack/cold pack technique to prep the skin and reduce the after effects?  So much of this is trial and error until you find what works for you.

For the past 6 weeks of so I have been having the lumps, too.  The SS nurse tells me that we must massage those spots - starting 24 hours after the injection.

Hang in there a bit longer - those orals meds aren't here yet and when they arrive they will have their own set of issues to deal with.

best, Lulu