Copaxone - New User - Please help me!!

[Proccy]

Hi All
Im new to the forum....diagnosed in October 2012 with RRMS.
I am taking Copaxone, been injecting using the auto injector since 11th of December. I know its still early days but the skin reactions Im getting are quite shocking! Big, red, swallon, painful lumps - as bad as they are I can cope with that. But I am really struggling with the intense itching! Please, are any of you on Copaxone and did you suffer this itch?? I had my first sleepless night last night due to the itching and Im thinking tonights going to be another!!
Does it get better in time??

Lyndsey x

[PastorDan]

BTW, Proccy, welcome.  Sorry I missed your thread earlier.

As I read your initial post, I was just wondering what people have tried to deal with itching.  If I am ever on any of this stuff, I'd kinda like to know that ahead of time.  Leave it to twopack to provide answers before I can compose a question.  Betcha she's a whiz at Jeopardy!

This is a great group of folks, in my experience.

[Proccy]

Thanks for your lovely reply, reassures me a lot x

[twopack]

I did eventually agree with others that injecting slightly deeper can reduce site reactions.  You just have to pinch test various sites so you know how deep would be too deep for each of the four areas (your arms, hips, thighs, and abdomen).  You want to inject into deep subcutaneous fat but not the muscle that lies under it.  I can review how to find that spot if you need me to.

I remember how startled I was the first time there was absolutely NO stab or sting with an injection.  I wondered if something had gone wrong!  I also figured there would be no problem taking Copaxone forever if every injection was like that!  It happened very gradually but eventually nearly-painless injections become the norm with only an occasional and short-lived sting or after-burn surprising me these days.

As site reactions disappear it is easier to deal with taking a daily disease modifying treatment like Copaxone.  In the beginning I concentrated on getting through each injection individually and pushed away any ideas my brain wanted to bring up about how long the treatment (or I) would last.  It really didn’t take to long to establish a routine that allowed me to get the injection behind me each day so I could move forward with things I actually wanted to do.

I know you can do this Lyndsey.  Just remember you never have to feel MS isolated now that you’ve found this community.  Traffic has slowed over the holidays but you’ll find someone is almost always close by to listen and/or help and - most of all - care.

[Proccy]

Thanks for replying!
I seem to always have 2 spots on the body that itch and after the 2 days have passed one area stops itching but then another area starts to itch!!
I will try what you have suggested and hopefully try to grin and bare it until it passes - soon i hope!
I chose this injection because it has "no side effects" lol!!
Thanks for the link!

[twopack]

Where did you go?  I sure hope you're coming back Proccy.  

You can try a topical anti-itch cream.  I've used a stick roll-on applicator type of Cortizone-10 from time to time if an injection site got too itchy.  I've also had success using a cold pack (or ice) application, applying light to moderate pressure over the injection site or placing a chilled witch hazel pad (yup, the ones like they sell to treat hemorrhoids, lol) between my skin and a cold pack.

We've had quite a few discussions about Copaxone.  Here's a link to one of them that was specifically about itching.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Copaxone/show/1432531

Please let us know how this is going for you.  I assure you - it DOES get better!!

[twopack]

Is it only the most recently injected site that is itching or are they all going crazy at the same time?

[doublevision1]

Hi Lyndsey - it definitely takes a while for one's body to adjust to this med.  The kind of reaction you're describing is common.  A few here have had to discontinue this treatment when the reactions and the itching never eased up. It would seem in those cases that these individuals must have had an allergy to it.  But again, this is a small minority.  In all likelihood your body will eventually adjust.  In the meantime you could discuss with your neurologist and/or Shared Solutions for suggestions to alleviate the itching.