Betaseron Side Effects

[thenea]

Has anyone else experienced some incredible, ever-lasting bruising at their injection sites?  I've been on a titration dose for about 5 weeks now and I can still see the the bruise from my first injection.  A majority of the other injection sites are red blotches that are about 2 inches in diameter.

These marks are mostly visible on my thighs and stomach.  Sometimes I get a little residual pain and a red welt.  I don't inject in the same area twice, I pre-medicate with Ibuprofen, I pinch, inject, let go, rub, apply Hydrocortisone cream.  Honestly, these marks aren't the end of the world because it's not like I plan on prancing around in a yellow polka dot bikini any time soon.  Or ever.  It's just ugly...  and a constant reminder that something is wrong with me, which is sometimes easy to forget when I'm not experiencing any symptoms.

Has anyone else experienced this?  Am I doing something wrong?  I talked to my Beta Nurse about it and she said it was unusual for someone with my skin tone (warm/olive) to have such highly visible marks.

[maxthecat43]

The Rebif nurse told me that all the interferons cause these marks.  She said that if I didn't have them, I'd be doing something wrong.  With Avonex, my marks are different.  I can't seem to manage to avoid blood vessels, so my bruises are because of that.

Tammy

[Guitar_grrrl]

I was only on Betaseron for 4 months, and I had tried Rebif for 4 months as well.  Both gave me darker, half-dollar sized blotches around my injection site, and the use of the auto-injector helped a little bit.  The spots faded after a couple of weeks.  In a way, it helped me remember which site I was supposed to inject next (I know, bad gallows humor)!

Try Shell's advise.

[Mand125]

Hi Thenea

I have been on betaferon  for 3 1/2 years, I got "quarter" size raised red areas on my arms and thighs, these would last for many months, never any problems with my buttocks or stomach. I eventually stopped injecting my arms because they were such a mess.

I have found it difficult to inject my buttocks recently as my hand shakes when I reach round to do the shot. I have had to stop injecting there so have started injecting my arms again to make sure I am rotating sites enough.

This time round I am not having any problems at all with red marks, maybe my body has got used to the betaferon? I do get the occasional bruise on my thigh that lasts a while.

It looks like Shell has given you some great advice..

Btw is it ok to use hydrocortisone on the injection sites for an extended period of time? I don't know but I would have thought it would only be for short term use - like I say I don't know though.

Hang in there, I'm sure it will get easier.

Mand

[sllowe]

Here you go........... Let me know if this is how you were taught...

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Injection-Refresher-for-Newly-Diagnosed/show/1699111

[sllowe]

Hi Theanea!

Are you pinching up a hunk? I posted a link to an excellent visual for sub-q injections so you can take a look at that and see if it's what you are doing...

Also, are you using an autoinjector? I inject straight up and find it less abrasive. Rebif has a super thin needle, the thinnest of them all possibly.

The red silver dollar size mark is common and they fade away, but will come out after heat from sun, shower, etc. But, and should only feel them if you press on them.

I'll go look for that discussion w/the link  now for you...
-shell