Copaxone pain

[Magsmomma]

I have been on Copaxone for about two weeks now and the only complaint I have is that there is sooo much pain after the shot.  I have a pretty high pain tolerance and this makes me want to stop taking it.  Does the pain ever stop? cause I don't know how long I can take this.

[jenphilly]

I'm also fairly new to copaxone, took my first shot January 6th.

While the nurses from Shared Solutions are great, honestly if they are not taking the shots, they don't have the experience to really share with you.

I need to lose about 20 pounds....  when the nurse did the pinch test, she came up with numbers that were in the 8 range...  and I had alot of the sore, larger lump reactions.  But, I started playing with settings and now use maybe 6 or so for most sites.   My arms were by far the absolute worst and were downright painful.  I stopped using them for a bit, then started rotating them once a week every other arm (left arm one week, right arm next week), so the arm had 2 weeks to 'heal'.   Now, I could probably use each one once a week, but I still rotate them bi weekly to be safe.  

I also heat before and ice after and it does help quite a bit.  Also, try to be as relaxed as you can for the shot, having someone else help could make a difference for you as well.  

I would really try playing with the depth settings.  You will know you are too shallow if you have 'leaking', you will see some of the copaxone come out of the site.  If that happens, go a little deeper on that area.   And realize that you can have very very varying depths depending on where you inject.  

Arms are the worst, tho I never would have believed that...  the area I was most worried about injecting is my easiest - stomach...  I actually use my stomach as 2 areas a week - left and right side.  I injected last two days and you would be hard pressed to even find where I injected just last night.  

It will get better....  you can also gently massage the areas where you have lumps after a day (let the med absorb).  Or when you are in the shower, use a bar of soap and gently rub the spots, helps to break up whatever meds are left and/or breakdown the tissue that is irritated.  That does help alot as well.  

It really does get better...  I started doing my shots while making dinner, so I was busy and occupied.   If you have the packs you can heat / freeze from Shared Solutions, get a couple clothespins and use them to clip onto your clothes to keep in place so you can go about chores or such...  don't laugh has worked for me!  If you're too busy to worry about the sting, its gone before you know it...   When doing my arms, I will do some stretches or arm curls using a book or can of soup (or again, do a chore like folding laundry, putting away dishes, etc)...  I think the motion helps with arms as well.  

Copaxone is a great med to be on and while the early shots suck and literally can be a pain, the benefits far outweigh....  

I hope they get a little easier for you everyday....   When I was first starting out, I never would have thought I'd be doing the shots without a second thought now....

Keep the faith, it will improve :)

Hugs,

Jen

[Magsmomma]

I now have goose egg size lumps on the last two site injections.  Will this go away as well?

[candy158]

Hi, I too am on Copaxone, and was having some HORRIBLE huge lumps, bruises, and hives, and aching.  I was using the Autoject too.  I had it set originally, at 8 for thighs, arms, and buttocks, and then 6 for my tummy.  I still suffered from the lumps, and itching sometimes.

What I did, was to try the heat/ then ice, before and after, but that did not work much for me either.  So, I also found that sometimes the day before shot would start to act up 24 hours after the injection.  Do you have that. ???

I am now doing it manually, I don't like needles either, and
I was ready to pack it in too, I have been on for almost 3 months now.  

With the manual, I just inject, I don't pinch the skin or anything, just aim and inject.  I do slower depressing of the syringe, and it does seem to help a bit.  I still get bruising, itching, and lumps, but not as bad as the Autoject.

I hope this helps, it does get easier as time goes on, keep trying, and good luck....

Cheers,
Candy

[bubbles_04]

We understand magsmomma, both Jane and I are new to the MS rollercoaster. I was Dx officially in april too. They thought it was MS since Jan though. Before Xmas 2011 I didn't even know that much about MS. I would never of thought I had it but I do. It's a lot to deal with and then we have to start injecting ourselfs. Don't worry you are not alone and thats the great thing about this forum. If you ever need to talk feel free to post here or you can message me directly :).

As for your legs, they are most def my worst area. Are you injecting directly into the top of the thigh? I do mine slightly to the side, where I see the fat "fall" when I'm sitting, if you know what I mean. I would try a 7, you should be fine and not hit a muscle and if you dont go deep enough you may not get past the skin layer. Skin in younger people is thick and copaxone and skin are not friends. Skin reacts badly to copaxone so you want to make sure you get past the skin layer.

My injection last night into my hip went very well, it didn't hurt that much after at all, ice was not needed and I had very little redness. Just me it does get better. In the beginning I would get a little lump, redness and pain! So the good news is it should get better with time!! Good luck magsmomma!

[JaneK1975]

I often have a sore lump that lasts a couple days. My arms are also the worst area. The lumps there usually last around five days. But all my reactions, including the lumps, welts, red spots, and stinging have gotten better and better as the months have gone by.

Regarding the lumps, after 24 hours have passed, you can start to massage the lump out. I've heard that recommended again and again. Keep in mind what Lulu said about calling Shared Solutions, too. They really will want to help you, and can send your nurse back out to you to review your site reactions to let you know if they are typical of what they usually see.  I had my nurse out three times in the 4 months when I started, and found it very helpful.

Best wishes to you,
Jane

[Magsmomma]

I injected my leg yesterday and still have a sore lump.......is that normal? I'm new to this so I have alot of questions. My arms are the only spot that I am having sight reactions.  I'm overweight so I usually do an 8 in most locations but my legs have more muscle than fat so I go to a 6 there.

I guess I am just getting frustrated.  I have only been diagnosed since the beginning of April and I have had two rounds of steroids.  Getting diagnosed was the worst part. I was so sick of needles by the time I had the  spinal tap that it didn't go well and now this medicine is painful and sticking myself with a needle everyday is not helping anything.  I guess I am just wanting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and it's looking pretty far away right now.  I am normally a very cheerful person and this is making it hard.

Thanks for  listening and all the advice I will try all of these things and see if they help!

[bubbles_04]

Oh I'm an all over autoinjecter too. Alittle overweight, arms only a little fat. I do a depth of 7 on my arms and 8 everywhere else. The depth is at the front of the autoinject where the needle comes out. Look there to see what your needle is on. I did 7 all over my body but I more pain and lumps, so switched to 8 and its a lot better. Remember to inject at a 180 degree angle (directly in).  

[bubbles_04]

I agree with Jane, It sounds like a bad sting. I would try the heating pad before injection and then using the ice pack afterwards. Try distracting yourself after the injection, lots of people say it works and I agree. I have something yummy, like sorbet, ice my "injury" and watch some Telly with the hubby, it really helps with the pain. I am 1.5 months into copaxone and it does get better. It hurt alot in the beginning and my legs are the worse. They would ache all over for like 1 hour after the jab. It's a lot better now. I can inject, ice alittle and pretty much move on.

Magsmomma don't give up yet! Give it at least 1 month! Don't quit before discussing with your Neuro too, there are other options if this is really too hard on you :)

[JaneK1975]

It sounds like you are just having bad sting. Hopefully it gets better with time. If you're not using an ice pack afterwards, maybe that could help? I'll have my fingers crossed for you!

[Magsmomma]

I normally don't feel the injections and the pain starts about ten seconds after the injections.  I don't think that I could actually inject the medicine manually I don't like needles so the autoject makes it a little easier.   but thank you for the advice.  I will try and work  up to that to see if it helps. I am willing to try anything right now.

[saucygrl]

I was on Copaxone earlier this year.  Try to inject manually instead of using the autoject.  I don't think the pain was nearly as bad if I injected over 20-30 seconds instead of all the medication going in at 10 seconds.

Hope this helps!
Chris

[bubbles_04]

Does it sting as you inject or just after? Do you feel the injection? What is the setting you are on? Does it hurt everywhere you inject?

[Magsmomma]

I am using the autoject.  I have it set on the setting that the nurse told me to use.  I haven't hit a muscle yet that I know of it's just the stinging and pain that happens about 10 seconds after I inject it.  I am hoping it gets better soon cause I absolutely dread it right now.  Thanks everyone!

[Lulu54]

I was on copaxone for about 3 years, and it did get better. It was as if my body got used to the stuff and gave up fighting it.  Good luck and keep working on finding something that works for you.,  If all else fails, give Shared Solutions a call and talk this over with their nurse.

[Beula88]

HI!  I have been on Copaxone almost 3 year and it got sooooooooo much better after about 6 months in.  I occassionally still get the welt or sting, but that is very rare anymore.  I tried everything at first, warm packs, ice packs, tylenol, etc.  Now I shoot and go!  ;o)  I hope it gets easier for you!!!
~Cami

[JaneK1975]

Hello magsmomma. I'm on Copaxone too. I started in February. The sting is bearable for me, but I once hit muscle and it was way, way worse that night. Some people just have more sting than others, but I'm wondering if you might be hitting muscle...

What injection technique are you using? Manual or autoject? If you're using the autoject, which depth setting are you at? Also, I have noticed that not allowing the alcohol wipe to dry completely can create some extra sting.

- Jane