Hit A Nerve

[Amargaret]

Hi.  After 2 relatively uneventful years of Betaseron injections, I had a shocking episode. When I injected into my thigh, I felt a strong jolt down my entire leg and it actually kicked out from under me as if my reflexes were being tested. I felt the pain most intensely as a kind of buzzing above my knee and could barely keep the injection in for the full dose. Now, three weeks later, that area is more sore each day and I have the feeling of "pins and needles" when I rub my leg. The area is farther down my leg and is NOT the injection site. My MS doctor's nurse says that I must have hit a small nerve during the injection and that there is nothing to be done. She said it will improve over time. I am worried that the pain is increasing and wonder if irreversible damage is being done. I would appreciate any advice or insight. Thanks

[Amargaret]

Thanks for your replies. For awhile there, I was limping around and rubbing my leg - I thought I was turning into "House."  Although it has taken a long time, the pain has subsided unless I sit still for too long. The area that feels numb is growing smaller, but definitely still there. I have become gun-shy at sub-q shot time, but what can you do except grin and bear it?

[Quixotic1]

Here's the story.  You likely struck a larger nerve than usually runs through that area.  And it appears that you injured it.  The increasing pain is probably the inflammation that is setting in around it.

The area that has the paresthesia is farther down the course of the nerve.  Depending on the amount of inflammation you may feel that area extend downward even farther.

Peripheral nerves certainly can heal.  And they do so at about the rate of a mm per day.  Healing doesn't start immediately.  The inflammation has to subside.  Then the healing can start, if it is going to.  

There is no way to prevent this when you are giving shots.  The nerves develop and grow where they will.  The larger nerves have predictable courses, but the littler they are the less you can know exactly where they are.  Sorry you are going through this.

Now, having said all of that, I would still recommend that you have it checked.  Three weeks seems a long time to be getting steadily worse.  Do that and let us know what the doc cays.

Quix

[Salamander2]

Call your PCP,  you need to get a doctor's opinion on this.  I thought once nerves were damaged they don't just get better. Are the Betaseron injections into the muscle or subcutaneous?
Sally

[Heather3418]

bump

[Wobbly]

sorry cant' help..I'm not yet Dx...and don't take meds..

I hope someone comes on to answer and help with this...

if not..repost it..

the post sometimes get missed...OK... I suggest maybe changing the name on the post from Hit A Nerve...to Beta Inject...something like that...OK

take care
wobbly
undx