Nasty Bruise/Pain with Auto-Injector

[Sidesteps]

I am not sure if I should call Biogen or not so I am asking y'all what you think.  

I took my Avonex shot last night. I haven't had any side affects so I do not pre-medicate. I just took three tylenol with it.

I am having some challenges with the auto-injector (more pain, bruising, bleeding, etc.) so I am trying really hard to not press too hard and find the right locations. I am not sure this makes a difference but my location last night was left leg at 12 o'clock.  

When I took my shot it HURT really really bad. I counted to 12 then pulled it off. I caught a bleeder so it pooled quickly. I then put pressure to get it to stop but it still hurt pretty bad then I could see the lines from the veins bruising surrounding the area (imagine what spreading infection might look like, my skin was mottled from the bruising/pain.) It was nearly instant.

I left a small piece of gauze there then put a bandaid on and went to bed with that area stinging. Woke this morning with a half dollar sized painful bruise surrounding my shot. The entire area is still very tender. I am perplexed.

I didn't expect this at all from these shots. Should I just chalk it up to a fluke or call biogen. Thoughts?

[bruised127]

Hate the bruising. I use Rebidose auto injector. Was doing injections at night before bed..Found that I was not sleeping . So taking them in the morning now..I told my docotre I did not want to move on to the 44mcg, because i think that was the cause of me not sleeping.,  I do not want to inject my legs because of the bruising. So I do the injections in my belly, my husbands helps me with shots in my buttocks, it is really sore, bruises are big. I think that i should not use the auto injector,my body cant take it. I also found that using a warm /hot cloth helps, I dont use ice packs,  Then make sure u rub the area with a cottton ball. for a few minutes, Moving the medicine.  I dont want to look like a pin cushion. Or take the pain of the injections. I guess no answer I just have to suck it up. Because im going to let MS taking me any more....

[MokeyCooper]

I did my autoinjector on left outer thigh last Wednesday. It was about my 8th injection this way. The pain was instant; like nothing before. Now my IT band is killing me and I have faint broken blood vessels around the site. I have no idea what I hit. :(

[Sidesteps]

Ren, I think that is exactly the issue! It has left a welt that is larger than three quarters. It's ugly and very painful. While this is the worst bruise I've had, it's not the first so I am calling Biogen and my Neuro. I probably am going back to self inject. I am concerned with scar tissue with the bruising. This is not good at all. Ouch!

[rendean]

I asked my neuro about the success of the avonex pen and his comment was that with the auto-injector the med is injected ffaster so more bruising occurs.

My thoughts were similar to a water hose.If you decrease the amount of flow at the end of the hose it comes out stronger. With the new smaller needle perhaps the same effect is happening. The same amount of fluid is being pushed through a smaller opening making more pressure.

Personally, I would call Biogen to report it.

Ren

[torikat32]

I hope the change in the location is better for you  and the bruise goes away maybe try ice on the bruise or gentle massage to help break it up

[Sidesteps]

The bruise is not to be treated any special way. I am to watch it closely though  ~

I am injecting in the wrong location for the auto-inject. We are not suppose to use the top of our thighs. The only approved location is the side of the thighs. /ugh

[twopack]

Torikat, are you taking Avonex or Rebif?  Avonex is injected into muscle and (I believe) only approved for self-injection using the thigh.

Sidesteps, I do think you should (at a minimum) call the nurse who does your injection teaching.  A review of technique and sites never hurts.  With an exam and live review the nurse might be able to discover the reason you have had problems since starting to use the auto-injecting technique.

I wonder if the slimmer and shorter needle isn't to your body's liking.  Maybe it doesn't get deep enough into the muscle or produces too much of a jet stream type entry into the tissue?  Just a few ideas.

At any rate, this is a new device for Avonex delivery and Biogen needs to receive reports of any difficulty people have so they can improve its design and/or the use instruction they provide for new users.  

I think you also need to ask them if there is any special way to treat this bruise, any potential problems to watch for as it resolves and how long to wait before attempting another injection in that general area.

Hope it feels better soon.  Bruises are odd - some are just quietly there and others really like us know they are THERE.  That's my thoughts.

[torikat32]

I just started my rebif injections on friday and I will be doing it on mon wed and fridays the nurse came out friday and showed me how to do the auto inject I did my own shot and it wasnt to bad in my arm area a small bruise.

Do you have someone available to do your shots manually? my husband is kind of being a jerk because I told him I can do the shots on my own I guess he feels useless so I asked him to please give me my shot tonight manually we will see what happens maybe try a different area the buttocks maybe more cushioned .

I hope you find someplace that worls for you best of luck

Kat