Copaxone advice

[Heather1987]

Ive been on Copaxone for approx. 4 weeks now. It is going well and for the first couple of weeks after I injected the red lump that developed would be gone by the next day. Recently though this red lump is staying around and becoming very itchy, Im now 5 days since injecting in one area and still red lump.
Ive also started to have waves of feeling really clammy and hot,this passses after 4 minutes then it comes again. Usually starts an hour after I inject. Can anyone relate to this and give me any advice. Thanks Heather

[Deb61]

I think that the big red welts are pretty common with Copaxone within the first few months.  My bumps were huge--especially with the Autoinjector.  They were warm to the touch and very itchy.  The nurse said that this is common.  I now inject manually, after getting over the whole shot thing, and it is much better.  I hardly ever get welts now.  

It's possible that you may be injecting in the blood stream.  This will cause the hot flashes that you've mentioned.  It sounds like a post injection reaction that the literature talks about.  I've had a few of them.  A couple of them were much more serious feeling, but the others were just as you stated.  The more serious ones I felt really hot and looked in the mirror and my face was red as a beet and I was very sweaty.  You may want to set your autoinject where it doesn't go as deep and ensure you pinch up plenty of skin (keeping it pinched up until you're through or nearly through with the injection).  

I have found that heat prior to the injection really, really helps.  I use a alcohol wipe to disenfect, and blow dry the area until it is warm and completely dry.  Then I inject manually.  The key for me is to make sure that I have warmed the area that I want to inject enough (and to get all of the alcohol dry).  

I've noticed a huge difference with Copaxone.  I just don't have nearly the relapses I had before.

Deb.

[Heather1987]

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my posting Bob. I think if things keep going the way they have been I will discuss with my MS nurse about manually injecting. Tonight left thigh , and applied cold witch hazel and slightly rubbed area. Then put arnica on so will see what it is like tomorrow. It was not as sore like yesterday when I injected in right thigh, so fingers crossed.
That is great news Bob that you have no new lesions showing on the MRI in the last 6 months. Very positive :)     I will keep you all posted on how things go. Thanks again. Heather

[COBOB]

My neuro and Shared Solutions are both pretty supportive of me not using the auto-injector.  I shoot "manually" and inject over a 10-count.  I still get a bit of deep lump, discomfort and itching, but no welts.  The lump lasts 6-12 hours and that is about it.  

Doing it manually, the least comfortable place has been my thighs.  I like my arms and stomach about the best.  I do rotate through all 7 sites, and have not missed a dose in the 6+ months I have been on Copaxone.  

Everyone responds a bit differently, but my good news was that in spite of increased symptoms and an exacerbation, no new lesions visible on MRI in the last 6 months.

Bob

[Heather1987]

Thanks for the reply Ren, Mary and Jess
I will look over the older posts and buy some witch hazel and see how this goes. Ive been using arnica gel cold from the fridge but it just isnt doing it. I will speak to my MS nurse this week and see what she think about the bouts of clammy hot flashes.
Glad Jess you are still on copaxone.  I fought too hard to get the diagnosis to give up now. Im back to my jogging and building up my fitness routine , just hope and pray the copaxone delays another relapse. I guess i will know by October as it is usually 4 months feeling ok then I hit a wall!
Hope you are all keeping well. Heather  

[lovemy6monkeys]

I had the exact same thing happen. I've been on Copaxone since Sept 2010, and the itchy welt would last for 3-8 days (depending on the site) In the last 2-3 months the itchiness has stopped and I don't get welts as often anymore, and those I do get are usually gone within a day or so.

I've been exercising and losing weight, so as I become more toned I have had to adjust the depth that I let the needle go. I've also stopped using the autoinject for most my sites, and that has helped, especially on my thighs (which would get very bruised from the autoinject)

See what your MS nurse says! If it gets bad, they can probably suggest alternate sites for you to use.

Good luck!
~Jess

[twopack]

It must be that time of year for starting Copaxone.  There was another person just asking about this but it is under a topic titled with an MRI question.

I have noticed, Heather, that many people (including me) do fine with Copaxone the first few weeks.  Around 2-6 weeks into the process there can be an increase in welts and itching and lumps.  Sometimes it helps to change the depth of the injection.  Sometimes you need to use ice or creams or even just wait it out until it settles down again (usually by the fourth month of therapy).

Shared Solutions doesn't always mention that the injection sites need to be massaged after the first day (but NOT THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER INJECTING).  The Copaxone needs to sit in the subcutaneous tissue to be absorbed slowly for the first 24 hours.  After that, massaging the sites will help any leftover medicine absorb so scar tissue doesn't form around it as permanent lumps.

Lulu's MSologist gave us a great tip for itching.  He suggested using witch hazel.  I don't have a problem with itching after most injections but I got some generic (Tucks) hemorrhoid pads (they have witch hazel in them) for the days I do.  I keep them in the refrigerator :-) and warned hubby they are there and NOT food.  When I get the itch or burn reaction it feels terrific to slap a cold astringent pad on my skin and put a cold pack over top.  Ahhhhh.

Rendean is right that you will find lots of info if you search the forum for old Copaxone discussions.  Here is one recent one to get you started.  It deals with some of the things you describe.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Injection-site-reactions--can-you-tell-me-if-this-is-normal/show/1354717

I don't remember any complaints about being clammy or hot so I hope someone else chimes in about that.  Hang in there if you can Heather.  It took a while but after almost a year taking Copaxone I realized I was feeling better than I had in quite some time.  I have been in an exacerbation now since late April but I've started feeling better and look forward to getting back to my pre-flare state.

Let us know how it goes for you.
Mary

[rendean]

Hi Heather,

I don't think we have "met" before so welcome. What you are describing sounds like an allergic reaction to the Copaxone but many have this and with continued use it passes.

I believe Alex (HVAC) had this same response. An old thread found by using the "Search this community" bar found at the top of the right side bar,  from Alex and another poster can be found at this link:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/injection-reactions/show/1299565

I entered Copaxone welts. I would let my doctor or MS nurse at your doctors office know what is happening as well.

Good luck with this, I wish you well.

Ren