post injection reactions

[apache420]

I had my first post injection reacion to copaxone yesterday.  I have been on it for 1 1/2 months, since I was diagnosed with RRMS.  It was just as shared solutions described it would be:  trouble breathing, heart racing, sweating, dizziness, etc.  It was much more scary than I expected.  The worst part was that I was at work when it happened; I have to work a 12 hour shift once a week, so on that day I have to do it at work.  SS said it would last 30 minutes.  The extreme part of the reaction did, but even after the "heart attack" like stuff, I was really shaky and nauseaus and had to leave work early.  I have lots of questions.
Should I be worried that this will happen again, or get worse?
Does everyone take their injections at the same time everyday?
I asked these questions to the nurses at SS, but sometimes I worry about their advice, as they are still representatives of the drug company.
Thanx!

[sllowe]

Hi there,

I'm not of copax, but wanted to say that I'm sorry you had the reaction. It's something that must inflict so much fear once you've have it - 30 minutes must of felt like forever.

I hope it doesn't happen again. When I inject I rotate back to a spot, but I try to adjust so it's not the exact spot to attempt to avoid any long term skin damage in each area.

If it were me, and I had the reaction in one spot, I'd definitely avoid the area for a week or so.

Wishing you better times w/it,
Shell

[jensequitur]

They have yet to figure out exactly why the reaction happens.  Some people think it's because the medication has entered the bloodstream.  Others think that the medication is getting in the bloodstream anyway, so it's not *just* that it's in the blood.

However, what SS suggests is to stick to the injection sites.  If you inject in a fatty area, like your stomach or the top of your thigh, then you're safe.  If you stray from that area, then you run the risk of hitting a larger blood vessel, and that's definitely a trigger for the IPIR.

I wouldn't worry about it getting worse.  It's the same reaction every time.  It might happen again, but if you follow the injection protocols, you should be pretty safe.  If you're having trouble with the back of the arm, I would skip that area - it's really difficult to get it right on.  When I'm taking injections (I'm off them right now, and about to go back on) I injected close to the same time every day, but not consistently.  

I've had the IPIR once.  You're right, it was scary - I'd hate to think of it happening at work.  I was so sweaty and exhausted when it was over, I had to take a cold shower.  Then I discovered I was nauseous on the drive to work, and opted to call in sick that day.  I also found that my lungs felt tight and wheezy, like I had a cold or some chest congestion - weird!