Does anyone take a pain reliever prior to injection?

[itsnic]

I am on day 6 of my injections.  I have experienced the painful sting with every injection and welting up with my arms.  Has anyone tried to use Ibuprofen prior to injecting?  I tried it one day and it seemed better than the next day when I forgot.  This is all so new to me and I am trying to just figure out how to make it hurt less!

[doublevision1]

I never thought to take a pain reliever when I first started taking Copaxone. If you find that it helps, thatbis great.  The things that were recommended to me to lessen the stinging and swelling included using cold compresses and topical Benadryl afterwards. These things didn't really help. The only thing that did was time, and after a while the stinging does go away. After nearly six years on it, I know barely feel a thing.

[maxthecat43]

Actually, taking pain reliever prior to injections is recommended.  Are you taking Copaxone?

[HVAC]

You can take a pain reliever. Shared Solutions can only tell you what they did in the trials that is because of the FDA. The nurses have to stick to a script. They want to help but can't you are better off talking to the Nurse at your Neurologist.

Alex

[itsnic]

Yes, I am on Copaxone.    I guess I will experiement taking the pain reliever ahead of the injections.  I don't think it would hurt, just wondered if anyone has tried.

[essdipity]

I thought of recommending the Shared Solutions nurse route, but in the end I didn't. That's because I found them to be no help at all. Quite a few others have had that experience too.

But maybe not always, so why not? If they just suggest calling the doc, that doesn't hurt anything, so you're right.

ess

[immisceo]

First off, welcome to the forum! You ask a great question. You might find some tips here from an older discussion found here. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/COPAXONE/show/957226

The first six months I was on the weekly injection (Avonex), I took acetaminophen/paracetamol 30 minutes prior and at recommended intervals for the 24 hours post-injection (to head off the common 'flu-like symptoms' side-effect associated with that particular drug). It takes time for your body to get used to whatever treatment you're on, so the issues you're dealing with aren't surprising, though I am so sorry you're dealing with them. Perhaps you can call the Copaxone nurse (I take it that's what you're on) for  some tips too. Usually the pharmaceutical company's helpline is a great port of call for any issues you might be having.

[essdipity]

Hi and welcome.

I'm guessing you're talking about Copaxone. I was on it for a couple of months and had to stop, so I don't know long term about the stinging. When I injected it, I too would get quite a bad sting, which lasted up to an hour. It did begin to get shorter, though, so I just waited it out.

I'm not a medical professional, but I see no reason why not to take ibuprofen, acetaminophen or similar in advance of injection, if it helps you. Do experiment a bit, because the stinging might get much less or go away on its own. Of course you can always check with your neuro as well, which might be a good idea. That's what doctors are for.

ess