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Notice on Gollies Copaxone auto injector
Hi All
Just wanted to update everybody on the copaxone auto injector
and the injection site problems that I have had the past
several days.
I had posted on some problems with the injection sites,
and had also noticed that the syringe needle did not seem
to be centered in my auto injector. and led me to believe
the the needle was going in slanted. I told this to the
copaxone nursed over the phone and they sent my visiting
nurse here tonight.
Well guess what, first off I have to use a level 4 setting for all
sites, she says Im too skinny lol.
Second and more importantly, I was right, the auto injector
is defective. the nurse brought hers and we tryed syringes
in both hers and mine and she couldnt believe what she was
seeing. the needle in mine would not center but it did in hers.
she said no wonder you have brusies and lumps. The needle
is supposed to go straight in and straight out.
but when mine would go into the skin (being the the needle
was not center in the injector) it would go into the skin and
bend abit. I think they thought I was nuts, till the nurse
saw it for herself. She said, I cant believe you notice that.
thank goodness you did.
she called my other nurse at the copaxone Co, and they are
sending a new one rush mail. they took the manufacture #
from the one I have now and are going to trace it back to the
stock somehow to check the rest of the batch that was made
with that one.
Gollie
Just wanted to update everybody on the copaxone auto injector
and the injection site problems that I have had the past
several days.
I had posted on some problems with the injection sites,
and had also noticed that the syringe needle did not seem
to be centered in my auto injector. and led me to believe
the the needle was going in slanted. I told this to the
copaxone nursed over the phone and they sent my visiting
nurse here tonight.
Well guess what, first off I have to use a level 4 setting for all
sites, she says Im too skinny lol.
Second and more importantly, I was right, the auto injector
is defective. the nurse brought hers and we tryed syringes
in both hers and mine and she couldnt believe what she was
seeing. the needle in mine would not center but it did in hers.
she said no wonder you have brusies and lumps. The needle
is supposed to go straight in and straight out.
but when mine would go into the skin (being the the needle
was not center in the injector) it would go into the skin and
bend abit. I think they thought I was nuts, till the nurse
saw it for herself. She said, I cant believe you notice that.
thank goodness you did.
she called my other nurse at the copaxone Co, and they are
sending a new one rush mail. they took the manufacture #
from the one I have now and are going to trace it back to the
stock somehow to check the rest of the batch that was made
with that one.
Gollie
Hi All:
Just sending a quick update for anyone interested.
I got yet another phone call from the copaxone nurse
today, and she told me that I must be hitting muscle
to be getting brusing. (the visiting nurse put me to the
lowest setting of 4) (copaxone settings are 4 threw 10
But the one that called to day, was
experimenting with her auto injector at the office, and told
me I could bring the level down just under the 4 so it would
actually be about a 3 1/2 level or a touch more. (cant go anylower than
that, tho or the med would probably squirt out.). I know this sounds
abit unconventional but, I guess im thinner than i realized. (not
bragging just trying to make a point on the injector level settings).
But this is what the nurse told me to try, and it did work well,
so far.
so last night I tryed it on my worst area for bruising (thigh) along
with my new auto injector, and low and behold no huge
itchy lump and no bruise. There is no swelling itching or bruising
this morning At all.
I GUESS THE NURSES DO NOT LIKE THE THOUGHT OF
BRUSING. they are calling me everday, to see if the sugestiong
are working. and after last nights injection, Im pretty encouraged.
I am very happy about their care and concern, in this matter.
I will be injecting the right thigh tonight and see if that goes just
as well.
Hope this can help someone else
Gollie
Just sending a quick update for anyone interested.
I got yet another phone call from the copaxone nurse
today, and she told me that I must be hitting muscle
to be getting brusing. (the visiting nurse put me to the
lowest setting of 4) (copaxone settings are 4 threw 10
But the one that called to day, was
experimenting with her auto injector at the office, and told
me I could bring the level down just under the 4 so it would
actually be about a 3 1/2 level or a touch more. (cant go anylower than
that, tho or the med would probably squirt out.). I know this sounds
abit unconventional but, I guess im thinner than i realized. (not
bragging just trying to make a point on the injector level settings).
But this is what the nurse told me to try, and it did work well,
so far.
so last night I tryed it on my worst area for bruising (thigh) along
with my new auto injector, and low and behold no huge
itchy lump and no bruise. There is no swelling itching or bruising
this morning At all.
I GUESS THE NURSES DO NOT LIKE THE THOUGHT OF
BRUSING. they are calling me everday, to see if the sugestiong
are working. and after last nights injection, Im pretty encouraged.
I am very happy about their care and concern, in this matter.
I will be injecting the right thigh tonight and see if that goes just
as well.
Hope this can help someone else
Gollie
La
You are a bad influence lol, I was not even thinking of ice cream till
I read this... hahahahahah Now Im craving it lol,
ben and jerrys pistatio is my favorite or chocolate ummm
But Im gonna fight the urge as I just had some last week lol
yes I warm the area first or before injection and then Ice after,
I dont know about icing before hand that is just the way they told
me to do it. we shall see I think McB maybe right, it will be a matter
of trial and error.
To All The other nurse called again this afternoon, more questions and
tips. lol She said the buries are comming from hitting the muscle, so
the 5 setting was too deep. She also says that they see that in the
thigh area very often. so you cold try a lower setting if you have actual
bruising.
she said not to worrie if the muscle was hit by accident and the med
will still distribute ok But they preferr you dont get the muscle.
Heather, I asked this third nurse if the needle is supposed to go
straight in and she said yes. be sure you are not holding the injector
at an angle. One more thing, when injecting especially in the thigh
area, be sure the muscle it totally relaxed. if it is taught or non relaxed
it will actually streach the skin alittle so the muscle will be closer to the
skin. I actually found that if I stand up and take all the pressure
off my leg, the the muscle totally relaxes. for eaiser injection.
Gollie
You are a bad influence lol, I was not even thinking of ice cream till
I read this... hahahahahah Now Im craving it lol,
ben and jerrys pistatio is my favorite or chocolate ummm
But Im gonna fight the urge as I just had some last week lol
yes I warm the area first or before injection and then Ice after,
I dont know about icing before hand that is just the way they told
me to do it. we shall see I think McB maybe right, it will be a matter
of trial and error.
To All The other nurse called again this afternoon, more questions and
tips. lol She said the buries are comming from hitting the muscle, so
the 5 setting was too deep. She also says that they see that in the
thigh area very often. so you cold try a lower setting if you have actual
bruising.
she said not to worrie if the muscle was hit by accident and the med
will still distribute ok But they preferr you dont get the muscle.
Heather, I asked this third nurse if the needle is supposed to go
straight in and she said yes. be sure you are not holding the injector
at an angle. One more thing, when injecting especially in the thigh
area, be sure the muscle it totally relaxed. if it is taught or non relaxed
it will actually streach the skin alittle so the muscle will be closer to the
skin. I actually found that if I stand up and take all the pressure
off my leg, the the muscle totally relaxes. for eaiser injection.
Gollie
I am sure you can find some low cholesteral Ice-cream. Maybe a health food store would have something like that.
You said you warm the area before injecting? Is that better than icing?
LA
You said you warm the area before injecting? Is that better than icing?
LA
WOW, WHEN I WAS ON COPAXONE LAST YR.
ALL MY NEEDLES WERE THE SAME WAY.
I DID NOT CALL ANYONE BECAUSE THROUGHT IT WAS
SURPOSE TO BE LIKE THAT.
BUMMER, HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL.
KITT
ALL MY NEEDLES WERE THE SAME WAY.
I DID NOT CALL ANYONE BECAUSE THROUGHT IT WAS
SURPOSE TO BE LIKE THAT.
BUMMER, HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL.
KITT
Injection sites are not a problem for me. I toleratde copaxone well.
I think you just have to work in out by trial an error.
If you keep getting problems that stay long ater the injection, it might be that your body does not tolerate copaxone very well.
I think you just have to work in out by trial an error.
If you keep getting problems that stay long ater the injection, it might be that your body does not tolerate copaxone very well.
Heather:
I was not told by the visiting nurse about the slight angle
thing. But in all actuallity that could make perfect sense.
What she told me about mine was that alittlle bit off center
is ok.(like her injector) but mine was way out of wack.
I did also have the biggest problems on the thighs. but still
was getting 3 inch brusing and lums on the other areas, and
yes the itching. She saw the huge brusing on my hips and
thighs.
She did say after some time of use these reactions may
go away.
I have started to warm the area befor injecting, and ice it
right after. Plus taking the level down to 4 at all sites.
I hope I will see improvement, before to long.
Gollie
I was not told by the visiting nurse about the slight angle
thing. But in all actuallity that could make perfect sense.
What she told me about mine was that alittlle bit off center
is ok.(like her injector) but mine was way out of wack.
I did also have the biggest problems on the thighs. but still
was getting 3 inch brusing and lums on the other areas, and
yes the itching. She saw the huge brusing on my hips and
thighs.
She did say after some time of use these reactions may
go away.
I have started to warm the area befor injecting, and ice it
right after. Plus taking the level down to 4 at all sites.
I hope I will see improvement, before to long.
Gollie
I only use the sites that they recommend and am always absolutely sure not to inject that same area again, for 7 full days, just as Shared Solutions told me.
I find that with each day that passes, I get more and more used to the injections and just feel that it's part of my daily rountine now. I have found that the auto-injector is less painful than when I self-inject. And lord knows, I am a pro at giving shots, since I was on insulin for so many years. Just as I beat that part of my diabetes and no longer had to use insulin, poof, I have to inject all over again with the Copaxone. Such is life. At least I am taking an active role to do what I can to slow this monster down, if possible.
Have a great day sweet lady. I think of you so much, since I met you at my daddy's funeral. It's hard to believe that it was only 10 weeks ago. It meant the world to me to have you there and I often tell many of my friends, what your presence there meant to me. I felt like the whole MS Forum and all it's members were there with me to give me support. I will never be able to thank you, adequately enough. God Bless you. I'll never forget your kindness, especially with snow and freezing temperatures that day. You traveled 100 miles round trip, just to be there for me...Like I said, I will never forget what you did for me...
Heather
I find that with each day that passes, I get more and more used to the injections and just feel that it's part of my daily rountine now. I have found that the auto-injector is less painful than when I self-inject. And lord knows, I am a pro at giving shots, since I was on insulin for so many years. Just as I beat that part of my diabetes and no longer had to use insulin, poof, I have to inject all over again with the Copaxone. Such is life. At least I am taking an active role to do what I can to slow this monster down, if possible.
Have a great day sweet lady. I think of you so much, since I met you at my daddy's funeral. It's hard to believe that it was only 10 weeks ago. It meant the world to me to have you there and I often tell many of my friends, what your presence there meant to me. I felt like the whole MS Forum and all it's members were there with me to give me support. I will never be able to thank you, adequately enough. God Bless you. I'll never forget your kindness, especially with snow and freezing temperatures that day. You traveled 100 miles round trip, just to be there for me...Like I said, I will never forget what you did for me...
Heather
Heather, my Cop. nurse was adamant that I use only the ' 7 sites' suggested. She said I have to be able to see each shot going in, so unless I use a good mirror, that lets out my rear. Too bad, since there's plenty of blubber there.
Does anyone here do non-traditional sites--upper abdomen, rear, etc?
ess
Does anyone here do non-traditional sites--upper abdomen, rear, etc?
ess
I called Shared Solutions and what they told ME is that the auto-injector is designed to puncture at a slight angle, just as we would do if we self-injected. So I am at a loss what to think.
I do have some areas where I inject, where I get small lumps that last for days. And they itch. Now when I do my thighs, I have the biggest site reactions, with good size welts.
I have noticed that since I started Cop the third week in January, that my welts are getting smaller and the redness and burning has almost disappeared. Then I do my thighs and poof, I am back to the larger welts and intense itching.
I had one nurse from Shared Solutions, that said that itching was common and I might need a prescription anti-itch cream. Have you been told that?
I would like to hear from Michael about whether these welts are less and less as time goes by, since he seems to be on Copaxone the longest, out of all of us. Michael, I wouldn't mind self-injecting, but would find it hard to do the rear, without the help of my partner. Any suggestions Michael has for us "newbies" would be most welcome.
Heather
I do have some areas where I inject, where I get small lumps that last for days. And they itch. Now when I do my thighs, I have the biggest site reactions, with good size welts.
I have noticed that since I started Cop the third week in January, that my welts are getting smaller and the redness and burning has almost disappeared. Then I do my thighs and poof, I am back to the larger welts and intense itching.
I had one nurse from Shared Solutions, that said that itching was common and I might need a prescription anti-itch cream. Have you been told that?
I would like to hear from Michael about whether these welts are less and less as time goes by, since he seems to be on Copaxone the longest, out of all of us. Michael, I wouldn't mind self-injecting, but would find it hard to do the rear, without the help of my partner. Any suggestions Michael has for us "newbies" would be most welcome.
Heather
I get site reactions with each shot, but mainly not a big deal. Just some stinging and aching, that appears to be going away faster as time goes on. The site does feel tender to the touch for 4 or 5 days.
I do get more reaction from thigh shots. This week I had 2 red welts, pretty big, which in a day or two started itching horribly. Spray Benedryl doesn't help. I have to scratch a little bit, but I do it as gently as possible.
So for me the autoinjector does not seem to be the problem. It's more the site of the shot. Anyone else?
ess
I do get more reaction from thigh shots. This week I had 2 red welts, pretty big, which in a day or two started itching horribly. Spray Benedryl doesn't help. I have to scratch a little bit, but I do it as gently as possible.
So for me the autoinjector does not seem to be the problem. It's more the site of the shot. Anyone else?
ess
Hi:
Heather, When I looked at the injector the nurse had I was
a tiny bit off center not much at all. Not enough to do any damage.
I actually gave myself my injection with her here and using her
injector. I still got a small swelling which is kinda normal so they
say. But it was not nearly as bad as the ones I get from my own
injector.
You can test it by putting your
syringe in your auto injector and
push it to seat it. now before you screw the injector back together,
look and see if the syringe it standing straigh up and down in the
injector. and not crooked.
If it isnt crooked , do the injection, and then hold it up in a well lit
area, and see if the needle looks off center , a tiny bit should be
ok, but not alot. This may or may not help you, but worth a looksie.
another thing you can do is call you copaxone nurse if you see that
it is way off center. As we all have a nurse assigned to us, or you
can talk with any nurse there.
They may even or should send a
visiting nurse to your home free of charge to you and go threw the
process with you like they did here last night. especially if you think
the needle is bending from the auto injector, and also if your welts and
bruising areas are more than 2cm in diamiter (mine were like 3 inch
diameter) with huge eggs that stayed for at least 3 to 4 days.
the visiting nurse said that as we all know that this is very common
at the site locations, but of course the auto injector should not be adding
to the site injection side effects to this degree.
I will be getting the new one
shortly and hope that it will work better than
the first.
McB: I do hope not all the auto injectors are like this, that would be an
awful thing. if that turns out to be the case, Im not sure what I would do.
How are yoursite injections going just using the sryinge, are you getting
anyreactions at all? My first 6 days with my auto injector I had no problems
at all.
Willow:I do tend to agree about it being worth it, but I do wonder if the
auto injector is
not working properly:leaves us much more open to the possibilty
of getting a site infection.
I will try the new one and go from there, I will add to this post
on my results.
meantime if your using Copaxone, the nurses are always there to
speak with you at anytime. no matter how long you have been using
copaxone.
I hope this can help others. Gollie
Heather, When I looked at the injector the nurse had I was
a tiny bit off center not much at all. Not enough to do any damage.
I actually gave myself my injection with her here and using her
injector. I still got a small swelling which is kinda normal so they
say. But it was not nearly as bad as the ones I get from my own
injector.
You can test it by putting your
syringe in your auto injector and
push it to seat it. now before you screw the injector back together,
look and see if the syringe it standing straigh up and down in the
injector. and not crooked.
If it isnt crooked , do the injection, and then hold it up in a well lit
area, and see if the needle looks off center , a tiny bit should be
ok, but not alot. This may or may not help you, but worth a looksie.
another thing you can do is call you copaxone nurse if you see that
it is way off center. As we all have a nurse assigned to us, or you
can talk with any nurse there.
They may even or should send a
visiting nurse to your home free of charge to you and go threw the
process with you like they did here last night. especially if you think
the needle is bending from the auto injector, and also if your welts and
bruising areas are more than 2cm in diamiter (mine were like 3 inch
diameter) with huge eggs that stayed for at least 3 to 4 days.
the visiting nurse said that as we all know that this is very common
at the site locations, but of course the auto injector should not be adding
to the site injection side effects to this degree.
I will be getting the new one
shortly and hope that it will work better than
the first.
McB: I do hope not all the auto injectors are like this, that would be an
awful thing. if that turns out to be the case, Im not sure what I would do.
How are yoursite injections going just using the sryinge, are you getting
anyreactions at all? My first 6 days with my auto injector I had no problems
at all.
Willow:I do tend to agree about it being worth it, but I do wonder if the
auto injector is
not working properly:leaves us much more open to the possibilty
of getting a site infection.
I will try the new one and go from there, I will add to this post
on my results.
meantime if your using Copaxone, the nurses are always there to
speak with you at anytime. no matter how long you have been using
copaxone.
I hope this can help others. Gollie
Gollie, Can you post the model number the company is checking? I haven't even looked at mine but will today when I my shot to see if it is off center. Some of my welts turn into lumps and stay for days; others don't. Thanks for being aware! Amy
one reason i started giving myself injections instead of using the auto-injector was because both auto-injectors I received were problematic.
I noticed after injection that MY needle is NOT centered in the chamber either. Should I call Shared Solutions and tell them?
I need your help..and guidance!
Heather
I need your help..and guidance!
Heather
Hi La
ya to skinny, she told me I should be eating Ice cream a tater chips lol
I told her I would love to but the docs are screamin about my high
cholesteral already.
I tell ya's I cant win for loosin here. Im gonna get myself some Ice cream
tomorrow anyway lol
Im worth it. heheeh Gollie
ya to skinny, she told me I should be eating Ice cream a tater chips lol
I told her I would love to but the docs are screamin about my high
cholesteral already.
I tell ya's I cant win for loosin here. Im gonna get myself some Ice cream
tomorrow anyway lol
Im worth it. heheeh Gollie
I'll check mine, tomorrow. I'm having trouble with really large welts. But like I keep saying, it's worth the lumps to fight the MS.
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