Copaxone

[Starryeyes2]

I've been on Copaxone for a year and a half. I have had probably 6 "reactions" in that time. Not all of them were the full-bown reaction that they warn of, altho I have had that and its awful.

My question is..Is it ok or normal to get a huge hive-looking thing from the shot? It seems to only happen in the arm, but the welt is as big as my hand. It goes away after a while leaving a nickel sized red spot. It itches like crazy. Does this mean I can't take Copaxone anymore or am I doing something wrong in the injection?

Thanks!!
Kristi

[jensequitur]

Hey, what I hear is that the skin eventually gets used to the injection.  Mine did - after a month or so, it stopped creating the welt.

The most important thing to watch with Copaxone is the lipoatrophy.  Proper rotation of the injection sites will help prevent that, but like many of you, I found that certain sites were difficult or impossible to inject regularly.  And if I had an IPIR, I would stop using that area, so eventually the only safe spots were my hips, my thighs, and my stomach.  As a result I ended up with quite a bit of lipoatrophy.  I've had about six IPIRs.

I stopped taking Copaxone not because of the IPIR, but because of the allergic reactions that seemed to accompany it.  My skin started itching severely, and I had some swelling in my face.  So I switched to Betaseron.  Fortunately I don't get the flu-like reaction, or at least not as bad as some people.

[COBOB]

If you don't use the autoinjector, keep in mind that you insert the needle at a 45 degree angle in the back of the arm or anyplace else where you can "pinch an inch."  If you can pinch 2", then it goes in at a 90 degree (straight in) angle.

Bob

[Starryeyes2]

Thank you Everyone!! I have already excluded my legs due to the reactions that seemed to happen after that site. I will try adjusting the depth of the injector.

I have to admit...I am such a weenie when it comes to injecting without the auto injector. It seems ridiculous since I have a very large tattoo on my back. (haha)  The itching occurs in every site. I get nervous because I have the dark spots and flattening areas on my abdomen already from the Copaxone.

So, should I adjust the autoinject to be longer for my hips since they have more fat?

Thank you!! PS..I had to change my login to Starryeyes2 instead of Starryeyes1..

Kristi

[twopack]

AN INPORTANT REMINDER FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE INJECTING

The depth of the SC tissue does vary quite a bit from one part of the body to another.

It may be, and probably is, more comfortable to deposit medication into deeper SC tissue.  When you can, choose deeper SC.

Increased comfort does NOT necessarily mean the medication was injected into the correct tissue.  Copaxone must be SC to absorp at the optimum rate.  A pinch test and proper technique assure the drug ends up where it needs to be, regardless of how it feels.

Mary

[MCBCON]

You can try not using the auto-injector.  I stopped using the auto-injector because it hurt more than doing it myself.

I find it easier to inject into the subcutaneous tissues.  I do not like injecting in to areas with less fatty tissue, but with control of the needle it is easier to find the right tissue for me.

[HVAC]

I was really used to syringes from over twenty years in Veterinary, especially emergency. But my MS made me so shakey the autoinjector was the only way I was going to be able to inject in certain areas.

It is great some can self inject but for some of us with MS hands the autoinjector is a blessing. For me it was experimenting with the depth. Everyone is different you just have to work with it.

Alex

[twopack]

Now there's a big difference!  I'm plenty familiar with the naked equipment myself.  It's fluxuations in strength and mobility that can leave me less reliable than the technology.

Mary

[COBOB]

In my case, I guess it is technology that isn't needed. Kind of "Gilding the Lilly."   I'm used to handling syringes, but not the autoinjector and some of the stories on here about syringes breaking in the injector made me think: "K.I.S.S." (Keep it simple, stupid) might make more sense.  I travel a lot and just want to keep it as easy as possible.  Less moving parts means: Higher reliability and higher mean time between failures.  

If i were to have major issues with my hand and needed the technology, I would rethink it.

[anon07072023]

Hi Kristi,

I've been taking Copaxone for 3 1/2 months. I get the welts every single injection at every single site.  A lot of my welts are very big, too. However, the welts are always gone within 24 hrs. And I never have had any itching.  

I've told my neuro about it, but he doesn't seem concerned.  And I have relayed the message to Shared Solutions, and they say to adjust the level to a higher number. I was always on about 4, since I'm fairly small. But now I have it just below 6. I did notice the welts definitely aren't as big now when I inject - but I still get them.  
...I'd say that it's nothing really to worry about.

Kelly

[twopack]

Interesting Bob.  I always think it's great when we can offer a variety of experiences and opinions for people to draw from here.  I didn't think I'd like the autoinjector either.  After trying it, I found I liked it for ease of use.  For me, it gives better depth consistency, especially at sites that are harder to view directly.

I find it amusing that the self-proclaimed geek with a love of gadgets and things mechanical, doesn't trust an autojector.  It made me chuckle.  (thanks)  I know people who don't fully trust their insulin 'pens' to do the job correctly.  Me?  I can't believe the oven will really take over the cooking just because it has a temp probe and auto off!

Mary

[COBOB]

I have been doing Copaxone for about 5 weeks now and I only had one welt.  It was in my left tricep in the first week.  I'm pretty sure that I didn't get the needle in at a 45 degree angle and ended up shooting the med more intra dermal than getting it into the subcutaneous fat.  

I really have no clue about the autoinjector.  I don't trust them, so I don't use them.  I bet that comes from the atropine and CANA injectors we had to carry in combat, but I prefer to have more control over what I;m doing when I stick myself.

[HVAC]

I took arms out of my rotations all together.

Alex

[twopack]

Can't believe I found it this quick!

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Injecting-Copaxone-into-arm/show/1418784?personal_page_id=781750#post_6481467

And, btw, I don't think we've talked before.  A belated welcome.  Glad to have you here.  Sorry it's MS that brought us both here but glad to have another person present helping us all find the best way to live with it.

Mary

[twopack]

I'm not convinced that injecting deeper will eliminate the welts.  I use the injector at different settings according to where I'm injecting.  I've had those hive like welts (but not as big as you describe) at all the injection sites at one time or another.  I don't get them consistently at any one site.  They appear less frequently as time goes on.  I've been on Copaxone 10 months now.

Itching is also sporadic.  It started big time about 6 weeks after my first dose, involving both new and old injection sites when it appeared.  I used some anti-itch cream for a while.  That kept me out of crazy land until the itch tapered down to the occasional annoying appearance.  Sites did itch again a day or two after getting my flu shot, maybe because my immune system had been prodded into action?  That lasted no longer than a week.

I've never had a generalized reaction and hope I never do.  I haven't read or heard anything linking them to allergy to Copaxone.  We do have a member here who recently stopped Copaxone because she started having frequent and longer lasting generalized reactions that got scarry.

It doesn't sound like your reactions are allergic in nature or severe enough to mean you should stop taking Copaxone.  Of course, only your doctor can really make that decision.

Since the arms are harder than other sites to access, it wouldn't hurt to review your technique.  We all tinker until we find the best for us.  We had a long discussion about this recently.  I'll try to find it for you.  I learned a great rubber band trick at that time.

Mary

[COBOB]

I'm betting you use the autoinjector.  What setting for your arms?  I have only had the raised welt once and it was from not injecting deep enough.  The itching goes with the territory.  I guess that is how we know our body is reacting to the Copaxone.

[Pfurs]

I have been on copaxone since September. No reaction but the itchiness at injection site drives me crazy.  My neuro said it was normal and to get used to it.