copaxone and itching with large size lumps in injection site

[jahlove1]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and to this disease.  I was just diagnosed with MS 4 weeks ago and am now on my 8th day of copaxone.  Other than feeling like I've been stung by a bee after I inject myself, I feel a large size lump (size of a golf ball) and terrible itching the next day that seem to last all week.  Is there any tips on how to lesson the pain and/or itch?  I've tried the ice pack on the injection site right after which seems to help a bit but not enough.  Does this lesson in time?  Thank you and nice to meet you all.

[twopack]

Hello and welcome!

These ladies have given you excellent pointers.  I bet you will have a much easier time if you pick just one or two of the tips to start.  You can always add more techniques tweaks if needed.

I probably learned more about injecting Copaxone here from other PwMS than I did from the Shared Solution instruction nurse.  She was good but her expertise was with a pad on the table.  People here KNOW the process - day to day, day after day, techniques, coping, perseverance, compliance, trouble-shooting (oh, that was bad).

I love, love, LOVE Jen tips about using the auto-injector.  I do the same thing.  I even use a figure-8 rubber band wrap to maintain the injector barrel in a "safety off" mode.  I find this allows accuracy and consistency to each injection.

Many people find they prefer manual injections.  I've done them but didn't find much difference and some areas are harder to do that way with limited mobility.  I think the manual method usually ends up depositing the medication deeper into the subcutaneous tissues - and that's a GOOD thing.  The nurses tend to instruct us toward lower auto-inject settings, too low imo.

Please be willing to fiddle a bit and put up with some initial itching and bumping.  As the immune system gets more controlled and the injector gets more experience the unpleasantness takes a nosedive as well.  Injections can end up being a rather insignificant bump in your day.  (Oh, yes they can.)

Let us know how it is going SOON.  The LAST thing anyone wants (for self or others) is to get overwhelmed and end a treatment that might really have helped.

[HVAC]

You can take an anthihistimine  before injections and use a topical cream such as benadryl or a poison ivy itch cream works too. It is normal for reactions at first. Your body is saying wow this is not something I make. SS may not tell you this. They can't go beyond a script the FDA approves so some of their advice is limited. You can call the nurse at your Doctors office.

[jenphilly]

Jahlove -

Welcome!!  I have been on copaxone since January 6th, so still a newbie in the big realm of things :)

I had lumps like you are experiencing, but these days, very little reaction at all.  I have found most people seem to report a problem area, be it arms or legs or such that give a problem more then anywhere else.  My arms were originally my main problem, these days, they are no big deal, but my thighs are where I might have a welt or itching.  I could inject my belly everyday and never even get an itch...  its hard to even tell where I injected just hours afterward!  

Definitely use the heat before and make sure its nice and warm, kinda like when you use a heating pad on your back, not burning obviously, but warm as comfortable for several minutes at least.  Then after your injection, ice it down long as you feel it needs it.  You can gently massage the area if there is a lump after 24 hours, one trick someone else mentioned was using a bar of soap when you are in the shower...  and it really does work, makes it easy and the warm shower seems to help too.  

I also have found that playing around with depth settings is a major factor.  I go fairly deep on my thighs.  It has helped to reduce lumps on my thighs quite a bit too.  

I also find that moving the area afte injection can help.  Just being active. When I do my arms, I make sure its when I'm making dinner or if not, then I'll change laundry around so I have to fold clothes.  Helps me quite a bit :)

It does get so much easier over time.  I hardly ever get the sting even anymore...  only if I go to a more sensitive spot on my legs.  Heck, my stomach don't feel anything :)   There are times that I actually look at the syringe when I take it out of the auto injector cause did not even seem like i took a shot!

Also, a tip I found that works for me with the auto injector.  Don't just press the injector down to release the safety.  Use two hands and hold the injector more level with your skin so you barely make an impression in the skin and release the safety by pulling it down versus pushing it hard into the flesh.   I think the lumps are as much part of the impact of the injector as the med.  That's a technique I swear by....

Hope it keeps getting easier for you...  hang in and keep pushing thru...  The benefits are worth it!!!

Hugs,

Jen

[JaneK1975]

Hello jahlove. I really like your screen name. I have been on Copaxone for exactly 6 months today. My experience has been that my site reactions have lessened greatly over time. When I started, I used the autoject and had welts. Over time, I learned to inject a little deeper and instead of welts I had lumps that would last up to 7 days or longer.

After about 4 months, I started injecting manually, and found that the lumps decreased dramatically in size with the manual technique. Now, after I inject I have a small-ish lump which I massage after 24 hours. The lump usually lasts for a few days in most locations. In my arms, the lumps last around 10 days. I have never had much itchiness.  

Everyone has a somewhat different experience, and I feel I've been pretty lucky. Some find they are allergic and cannot handle the Copaxone. Others do well for the first month, then go through a period of increased site reactions before their body adjusts and the reactions decrease again.

I hope you are lucky like me and find that with time, it gets easier. I do use a cold park afterwards. Others have tried "Tucks" pads with some success.

Welcome to the forum.

- Jane