Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
1040373 tn?1273687488

Do you rotate injection sites faithfully?

I've been on Copaxone for almost 3 months now. I've always rotated injection sites like you're supposed to. I'm thinking of retiring my legs though. I can inject my other sites with no problem but my legs are no fun. I always end up with a long patch of discoloration (melanosis or something), it bleeds and the medicine always burns a LOT when I do my thighs. Will anything bad happen if I just rotate 5 sites?

Thanks in advance and I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hey, I also take copaxone,

I dont do it in my "love handles" cause I cant do it....but i had the same problem in my thighs. Try to mess with your needle injector length. I found that in my arms I can have it at 8 and my thighs are almost 9-10. It helped alot for me! LESS STINGING and the bumps are minimal. "faithfully taking it now for 4 months".

Good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi

I was following the rotation faithfully, but when it came to my arms, i could not hold the auto injector, press down and release the button  all at the same time, so as yet have not done my arms,

I am using the belly thighs and hips right now till i get the hang of the back of the arms

Tyler
Helpful - 0
1116556 tn?1345115906
LoveMyBostons -

Have you tried taking Tylenol prior to injection?  I've been on Copaxone since last year December.  Not very long, but I experience severe burning in my thighs too.  I think it's because I haven't found the perfect number on the auto-ject yet.  My thighs are very hard to "pinch an inch," so I adjust the jector at just a smidge above 4.  I use the hot pad for 5 mins before injection, and cold pad after.  It helps.  *shrug*

Helpful - 0
338416 tn?1420045702
Definitely rotate your injection sites.  I have two symmetrical dimples right below my belly button, one on each side.  It looks weird.  I also have two dimples in my legs, right at the fat lump.  So now I stay away from the dimpled areas, and inject in other places.

The whole reason it's dimpled is because I know those are 'safe' areas - I won't have an IPIR if I stick to those sites.  If I stray, or try to get my arm, or move around, then I end up with a bad bruise.
Helpful - 0
559187 tn?1330782856
I know I could be doing better at rotaing my injection sites, but sometimes you have to give a certain trouble area a break.  For me, like you guys, its the leg that hurt the most to inject.  My favorite place is my tummy as there is enough fat there that I don't feel a thing except itching a day or two later.  

I believe Shared Solutions and my doctor who say to rotate the sites beacuse I am noticing a bit of tissue destruction in my tummy because I do it there so oftern.  

I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait till something comes along  that will totally replace injections.  In the meantime, we need to protect our skin and do the rotations religiously because the tissue destruction is no joke and can't be undone once it happens.

Julie
Helpful - 0
667078 tn?1316000935
Yes, but I did pull my left arm out for awhile do to an injury.
Alex
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Kristi is right, the rotation is required because the meds break down the fat cells and can cause permanent dimples.
I do not inject my arms.  I hurt my left shoulder and I  can't reach the right arm with my left hand.  It hurst to inject the left arm..
I think it is ok to take a break from certain sites and try again later, but if it keeps hurting make sure to talk with your nurse or Dr.

Take care
D
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
From what I know about the injections, they want you to rotate because of the destruction of fat tissue that occurs after injecting for a long period of time. I stopped injecting in my legs for several weeks because I seemed to have bad reactions every time I did my legs. I have started back to doing them, but my whole leg aches for a long time afterward.

Kristi
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community

Top Neurology Answerers
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease