Copaxone itching driving me nuts

[essdipity]

I've been on Copaxone almost 2 months. For the first several weeks the only reaction I had was moderately painful stinging and aching after the shot, lasting about half an hour, plus some tenderness at the site. Now that part is only 5 or 10 minutes. In the meantime, though, other reactions have REALLY set in.

The thigh area is the worst, but all injections give me big red spots, lumps, welts, and sometimes bruises, lasting nearly a week. This is all ugly, but manageable. The itching, though, is what I can barely stand. That starts a day or so after the shot and continues for 2 or 3 days. So I always have several areas that really want to be scratched. Yikes.

I take an antihistamine for airborne allergies, and that does nothing for the itching. I use Benedryl spray, which helps for a couple of hours. The Copaxone people have no other recommendations.

Because of my allergies I'm an itchy person generally, and my nerve endings seem to be hypersensitive. Sometimes it feels that my bod has issued to general alarm to scratch everywhere.

I don't plan to stop Copaxone so I'll just have to bear it, but I sure would appreciate any suggestions for dealing with this maddening problem. My body is trying to tell me something!

ess

[essdipity]

The OTC hydrocortisone creams don't work either. Maybe something extra strength will.  Shared Solutions only mentioned antihistamines. A big zero. I will be looking into Singulair per Quix's suggestion too. We sure need something! This is turning my whole body into one big jangling itch!!

Poor us!

ess

[Heather3418]

My Neuro told me that I may need to get a precription for anti-itch cream if my itching at injection sites continue.  It's funny that Shared Solutions didn't tell you the same thing.  They told me about the presciption anti-itch cream when I first started Copaxone.

I am having the exact same after injection symptoms that you are.  Word for word.  The itching for days after just wears on my nerves.  Especially worse on my thighs and the back of my arms...well for that matter, each one of my injection sites.

I wish I could remember what the cream was called.  I will try to find out, if you don't find out before I do.  I need to get a prescription of something.  The after itches are driving me nuts

I'm with you all the way....

Heather

[Quixotic1]

Ooooh, I hate to itch.  I wonder if Singulair might help.  It's a med with essentially no side effects.  It is a leukotriene antagnonist so it blocks one of the major allergic reaction chemicals.  It's often effective in chronic hives and allergies.

Might be worth a try to the extent that you are have an immediate type local allergic reaction.,

Quix

[essdipity]

Thanks for your comments!  I use either Loratadine (generic Claritin), or prescription Zyrtec. Can't tolerate diphenhydramine in pill form, which is what Benedryl and many other antihistamines are.

ess

[6-paq]

So sorry about the reactions/itching.

I don't have any real advice, but am watching your thread as my doc suggested Copaxone if I ever get a Dx (still in limbo).  I'm a very "itchy" person due to allergies too and that has already concerned me about what I've read of Copaxone.

What antihistamine are you currently taking?  Perhaps your doc can recommend another type that would help?

((HUGS)) and take care!  Pat :)