Manual Injection with Copaxone...is awesome!

[figuerpa]

I know it sounds crazy that I like manual injections but I was having bad site reactions with the auto ject so I switched to manual and let me tell you there is not a reaction one as of yet. I get a little itching but no welt, no lump, no redness. I inject it a lot slower than the autoject so I am sure that is what is helping.

It is suppose to go in over 10 seconds but with the autoject it goes in in 5 seconds or less and leaving welts as big as my arm. So needless to say I am happy that this is working for me. I will be much more comfortable doing daily shots without the site reactions.

Well I just had to share!

Paula

[Needhelp16]

Manual inject for this copaxone girl!

[JulesCurd]

Hi Paula,

That's great then. When I did Avonex i just got to sick afterward, so I always had to take on Friday night so I would be sick (flu like) Sat and Sun.  When I had to give that injection to myself the first time, since my brother or friend would do it for me, I drink entire bottle of wine and 3 crown & 7 so I had the nerve to stab myself.  so cheers and salute to ur sister for giving herself those shots...lol

Julie

[figuerpa]

Julie,

They are coming out with an autoject for Avonex. My sister cant wait for it because she has been on Avonex for 9 years. It is already on the market in other countries just not in the US as of yet.


Paula

[debgen]

I have been on Copaxone for a little over a year and I have always used the auto-Ject. I have never had a bad reaction to it. I get some site redness every once in awhile but nothing too serious. I am way too chicken to try manual injection! Lucily for me my hubby always injects my arms for me because I am not all that cooridinated!
Good for you for finding what works best for you!
Deb

[JulesCurd]

The Avonex is muscle shot so there will never be a autoject.  it's that backwards draw to be done on an inter-muscular shot.  my brother loved giving me those shots...I think he was getting out childhood revenge!

Julie  

[jensequitur]

I had to stop injecting the back of my arm, as I ended up with a post-injection reaction.  For some reason it's easier to hit a blood vessel when you're getting the back of your arm.

I've never tried manual injection with Copaxone, as I had to stop taking it.  However, I had to self-inject with lovenox after the blood clot, and found it super-easy.  Now I manually inject with Betaseron, and like it better.

[figuerpa]

Jane,

When I did my own arm I just put it on the sofa and pushed my fat up lol and it was simple for me. But if I were you I woudl deffinately schedule your nurse to come out on an arm day so she can show you the easiest way possible to inject.

I still haven't set up my nurse visit. Not sure that I will because it is going so smooth as of now. I may call tomorrow, depending on my schedule lol.

Paula

[1vet]

I never from day one used the Auto Inject! It was to hard and was not that easy to handel! My frist injection in front of nuse was free style! She was totally blown away as most newbiees wont do that. But is less pain ful and no marks are left behind. Back of arms are hard, I use a rolled up dish towel to push up fat from under arm and bam! It is over and done.

[JaneK1975]

Is there anyone out there able to successfully do manual injections in the back of the arm? This is my main trouble area. I'm going to schedule my SS nurse to come out to watch me do my first manual and would like to schedule it on an arm day, but want to make sure that is a good idea.

Thanks, everyone :)
- Jane

[ku111]

I know a 16 yr old with MS that stopped his treatment because he absolutely hated the auto.  He now has gone back on the meds but does it manually and he says it is so much better!  Thanks because I keep a log of good info in a file and this is one I'm keeping!  Glad it is better for you!

[sllowe]

Add me to the crazy club - I like manual injection too!

It's less abrasive and minimizes marks (for me).

[saucygrl]

I'm not normally bothered by needles either, but the same thing happened to me.  The needles are so small though it's a piece of cake!!

Best wishes!
Chris

[candy158]

Hi Paula,
I'm so glad that you said that.  I got my package from Shared Solutions today, and my Copaxone is on its way.  Then there is the health nurse visit, and then I guess we are doing it too.!!!

I think I will try the manual first, normally needles don't bother me, but today when the package came, I got kinda lightheaded and nauseaous,  so, not to sure how this will play out.

But, we will do our best.  

So, glad that it is working for you, hop[e it does the same for me....

*HUGS*
Candy

[figuerpa]

Lulu, the tysabri is working for you so that is good. You know you could always go back if need be!

It is easier and lot less steps doing it manually.

Jane, you have my number and email...message away I am here for you :)

pnuthed, I did play around with the depth, I think it was more from how fast it was injection. Now that I am doing it slower I have no reaction, well a little tenderness at the site the day after but no welts, bruises or redness.

Paula

[pnuthed]

i bet you don't have your auto-ject set @ the right depth.  just experiment with it and you will be amazed.  i usually had site reactions when it was too shallow.

[JaneK1975]

Paula, I am so happy for you and inspired by you! I'm going to try manual soon in the hopes that it reduces welting. It's nice to know I have a friend who just took the plunge. I'll let you know when I do it and I'll probably be messaging you with questions!

Hugs,
Jane

[doublevision1]

I used to use the autoinjector but stopped a while ago.  No difference in terms of skin reaction,I just got lazy and wanted to eliminate what seemed like unnecessary steps in the process.

[Lulu54]

I'm  glad that works for you - I wish I had tried that before giving up on the copaxone.  Oh well..............

[figuerpa]

Yeah I decided to try it because my site reactions were getting out of control.

Doing it myself isn't as hard as I thought it would be and even if it was it is better than the major stinging and the welts that came with the autoject. My son gave me my shot yesterday. I didn't think he would be able to do it but he did GREAT!. DH said he isn't sure if he can do it but is going to try next time I do my arms, they are the hardest part for me because I can't pinch the skin to put the needle in.

My legs are black and blue from the autoject, it goes in entirely to fast with the autoject so going in slower and deeper helps me alot!. I am glad I tried it. :)

Paula

[saucygrl]

I totally agree with you that manual injections are better!!  I don't get nearly the welt or redness either.  Now I only use the autoject if I'm having trouble reaching the spot I need to use.  I have my husband or son manually inject for me if they're home so I don't have to use it.  Not nearly as painful either!!  Congrats!!

[Ojibajo]

Good to know! I take Avonex and have no choice but to manually inject. I guess an auto injection pen has been developed, but it is not yet available in the US. (Awaiting FDA Approval.)

To me it seems like it would be easier, but I wondered if it would hurt more.

[Mummy76]

Hi Paula!

That's great!

I haven't tried the autoinject yet but am starting to feel quite comfortable with the manual injections.  For me it's just laziness, I don't want to deal with all the steps involved in the autoinject!

[Sailorsong]

The is great and your so lucky that the manual injections work for you. There is no way I would be able to do that. I still have a very hard time just doing my Glucose testing ( don't do that nearly as often as I should as a result).

Dennis