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Copaxone reaction help?
I have been on Copax for a few weeks and the only reactions so far have been typical redness, welt and pain at injection and then by 24 hours later the site might look slightly swollen or nothing at all.
Now my thighs and my hips have hive like spots where I injected, but it's been almost a week since I used those sites. The reaction didn't pop up until 6-7 days after I used the site, not right afterwards like I was expecting due to the med literature. The hives are about 1-2 inches in size and itch like the devil.
My doc was not in today, and the shared solutions people were useless. They said it could be normal, but to call my doc to make sure. *eyeroll*
Anybody have hives show up several days after not having any reaction on the spot?
Now my thighs and my hips have hive like spots where I injected, but it's been almost a week since I used those sites. The reaction didn't pop up until 6-7 days after I used the site, not right afterwards like I was expecting due to the med literature. The hives are about 1-2 inches in size and itch like the devil.
My doc was not in today, and the shared solutions people were useless. They said it could be normal, but to call my doc to make sure. *eyeroll*
Anybody have hives show up several days after not having any reaction on the spot?
Since the patient information instructs that Copaxone is injected "under the skin" I went back to a lower setting on my auto-injector (#6 suggested by nurse even though I have plenty of fat). THE REACTIONS HAVE BACKED OFF! I've stopped dreading the extra aggravation this treatment caused me.
The sting is a little bigger when I inject shallow but the welt and redness fade by morning. The lump is much smaller and all but gone in a few days. Best of all - ALMOST NO ITCHING.
Maybe sticking with it until my body adjusted made the difference. I don't know. But I've got my technique down now. Hope everyone else finds out what works best for you.
Mary
The sting is a little bigger when I inject shallow but the welt and redness fade by morning. The lump is much smaller and all but gone in a few days. Best of all - ALMOST NO ITCHING.
Maybe sticking with it until my body adjusted made the difference. I don't know. But I've got my technique down now. Hope everyone else finds out what works best for you.
Mary
Sorry I didn't respond back until now...thanks for all the replies. Twopack, thanks for the link, I must have missed it before. I can't seem to remember anything these days. :(
The welts are getting better, I'm jus taking antihistamines for the itching and I do have some topical creams.
Thankfully, my belly is my best spot, it's the only one with no reactions at all so far.
I just feel totally out of control with all of this, but I'm sure that it will get better. I really appreciate the help, I'm sure that you get these questions all the time.
The welts are getting better, I'm jus taking antihistamines for the itching and I do have some topical creams.
Thankfully, my belly is my best spot, it's the only one with no reactions at all so far.
I just feel totally out of control with all of this, but I'm sure that it will get better. I really appreciate the help, I'm sure that you get these questions all the time.
just one thing to add to this - from what I understand the DEEPER you can go with the injection, the less likely you are to have the reactions. That is not going to help with the hives for now, though.
hang in there and be sure to call your doctor's office about this reaction. Ess is right - the SS people really aren't equipped to discuss problems - they are there for the company line and don't deviate from their scripts.
Lu
hang in there and be sure to call your doctor's office about this reaction. Ess is right - the SS people really aren't equipped to discuss problems - they are there for the company line and don't deviate from their scripts.
Lu
Between this thread and the link twopack provides, Copax reactions are very thoroughly discussed. I just want to add that the Shared Solutions people are pretty much useless when it comes to this problem. They do seem to follow a script, and are not allowed to deviate.
The best thing to do, if reactions get unbearable, is to discuss the situation with your neuro.
ess
The best thing to do, if reactions get unbearable, is to discuss the situation with your neuro.
ess
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Increasing-reactions-to-Copaxone-common/show/1216700?personal_page_id=887341#post_5561461
Cut and paste link to my question from April 11th but you must have seen it SL. I noticed you posted a response there.
Mary
Cut and paste link to my question from April 11th but you must have seen it SL. I noticed you posted a response there.
Mary
The only thing I had to watch out for is during the night, I would scratch myself in my sleep. Those itchy red welts would end up looking worse because I scratched it.
Hi schnauzerlady. I'm going to start out with a big apology. I think you posted about this before (or this apology belongs to another forum member) and I didn't get around to replying. It was so important that I wanted to give my response quality time and put it aside to answer after work or the morning or some other better time. I don't want you to even tell me how long ago that was :( I am very very sorry.
With that, I probably have little to offer other than commiseration. I started Copaxone on March 15th. I was pleasantly surprised initially that all I had to endure was the short term intense sting and an occasional welt. Over the past few weeks though I have also noticed increased reactions.
For me, the worst reactions seem to be the belly sites. That used to be my fav site to use. Now I'm getting bigger welts initially that aren't red but are tender at times (like if I lean up against a counter or my granddaughter pokes me to get my attention). Instead of the familiar fingertip lump, the entire welted area is now becoming firm. After 2-3 days I will get the intense itch and that comes and goes for several more days. By the time the area comes up for injections again I can still feel a small lump but I'm moving a few inches away anyhow.
Benadryl cream has helped some. A cold pack helps more if I'm someplace where I can get one and/or use it. I've been experimenting to see if technique makes any difference. Right now I am hoping that injecting a little more shallow will help. I used heat before injecting once and it puffed up so bad that I haven't had the guts to try again. Auto-inject vs without doesn't seem to matter.
I thought I remembered other members having increased problems after a few weeks and had posted a question. I got some nice responses and will have to try to locate that for you. I've had a problem also with weight gain and blood sugar and appetite but I think I'll post a new question about that.
I'm trying to stick with this and believing it will improve over time. I really don't care to risk those flu type symptoms and liver risks from the interferons. I haven't called the MS clinic or the Copaxone nurse yet. I guess I should.
Interesting point: The stinging that was initially my worst reaction, is not near as bad now. Sometimes I don't even feel it at all.
Please let me know how it goes for you.
Mary
With that, I probably have little to offer other than commiseration. I started Copaxone on March 15th. I was pleasantly surprised initially that all I had to endure was the short term intense sting and an occasional welt. Over the past few weeks though I have also noticed increased reactions.
For me, the worst reactions seem to be the belly sites. That used to be my fav site to use. Now I'm getting bigger welts initially that aren't red but are tender at times (like if I lean up against a counter or my granddaughter pokes me to get my attention). Instead of the familiar fingertip lump, the entire welted area is now becoming firm. After 2-3 days I will get the intense itch and that comes and goes for several more days. By the time the area comes up for injections again I can still feel a small lump but I'm moving a few inches away anyhow.
Benadryl cream has helped some. A cold pack helps more if I'm someplace where I can get one and/or use it. I've been experimenting to see if technique makes any difference. Right now I am hoping that injecting a little more shallow will help. I used heat before injecting once and it puffed up so bad that I haven't had the guts to try again. Auto-inject vs without doesn't seem to matter.
I thought I remembered other members having increased problems after a few weeks and had posted a question. I got some nice responses and will have to try to locate that for you. I've had a problem also with weight gain and blood sugar and appetite but I think I'll post a new question about that.
I'm trying to stick with this and believing it will improve over time. I really don't care to risk those flu type symptoms and liver risks from the interferons. I haven't called the MS clinic or the Copaxone nurse yet. I guess I should.
Interesting point: The stinging that was initially my worst reaction, is not near as bad now. Sometimes I don't even feel it at all.
Please let me know how it goes for you.
Mary
Do not panic. This is normal. Mine happened on day 8. I injected and every spot I had ever injected turned to a basesball size welt. What is happening is your body is saying hey wait a minute I do not make this substance. I took benydrl and got benadryl creme from the drug store for the areas. Mine lasted two days. If it won't die down you need to tell your doctor. Just do not scratch.
You might ask yourself why SS did not tell you this might happen. First it does not happen to everyone and the SS Nurses have to follow a script. All though they are nurses they give basic information only.
Good luck,
Alex
You might ask yourself why SS did not tell you this might happen. First it does not happen to everyone and the SS Nurses have to follow a script. All though they are nurses they give basic information only.
Good luck,
Alex
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