starting copaxone

[mommie1962]

I just got the approval from insurance for Copaxone.  They are shipping it Friday.  I need to make an appointment for my Shared Solutions nurse to come help get me started.  I have received a lot of information from the Copaxone people.  It is starting to get overwhelming.  I finally just put it away and decided to wait for the nurse to come out.  I am really scared about giving myself a shot.  Anyone have any tips on this?? Is this overwhelmed feeling I am now getting a normal feeling?
Thank you,

[HVAC]

Part of the overwhelmed feeling is this make the MS real. The shots are not that bad. Different people use heat or ice according to what helps. I am muscular so I had to set my injector on 4. The main thing is have needle go straight in and pull straight out. My husband helps with some shots. It makes him feel good to help. I used to eat one piece of chocolate as a treat after my shot.

Hang in there,
Alex

[LoveMyBostons]

I've been on it for 3 months now. You do get used to it after a while. I use the auto injector because I don't have the dexterity to pinch the skin with my other hand. The good thing about the auto injector is you don't even see the needle.

Shared Solutions sends a LOT of information. And every time they talk to you they send another letter out to you. They have nurses available 24 hrs/day.

I usually do my shot while someone else is home if I'm feeling nervous. I had a phase about 6 weeks in where I got super itchy after injecting. That's beginning to get better now thankfully.

The needle doesn't hurt at all going in but the medicine does burn a little when it goes in. I find it helos to warm the area first (I use a heating pad) and ice it after I do a shot. This helps reduce welts.

It takes a little while to get into a groove. You'll have to play around with the auto injector depth settings to find what works for each injection site.

Good luck!!

[The_Lorelei]

I had the same trouble when I started with Rebif (switching to Copaxone soon).  The thought of injecting myself was terrifying.  I have a big problem with needles and really anything that involves skin being cut.  I never thought that I'd be able to do it even to save my life.  But when the  chips are down and you have your nurse standing there watching you for the first time, you realize that it's either do it or sit there awkwardly for hours while the nurse glares at you.  

Once you do it for the first time, you realize that it's not as bad that you'd thought it would be.  They usually give you an auto injecter that definately makes it easier as well.  I still haven't manually injected anything but you pop a syringe into that baby, place it against your injection site, hit the button and bam boom done.

I'm not going to lie.  There have still been moments where I started to freak before I gave myself a shot (a lifetime of needle terror is not easy to get over in a few months) and I called a friend or the company line and they walked me through it.  So my advice, deep breaths,  a warm bath beforehand helps with the relaxation, take your time, and if you need some encouragement call shared solutions.  They're open 8am to 8pm central time.  I'm sure that they would be able to walk you through it.  The first few months are the worst, after that it's second nature.  Good luck!

[Ufrustrated2]

probably normal for now. i mean it is such a new phase in your life.  just ride with it as best you can. it is a very new sensation and style for you/us, so yes it is normal to feel that way. i think after a few shots that overwhelming feeling will go away.

i don't have a problem with such things. i just pull my pants down, rub the alcohol, pinch the skin, and stab it, do a little pull to check there is no blood, push the plunger, and i'm done. i put an ice pack on it for now for a few minutes and that is it. so far so good.

i just started. tonight will by 3rd shot. i think of the advantage of having it versus not and that counters the mechanics of doing it.

i have another friend with diabetes and he just pops in a needle when ever out in public when he needs it. no big deal. just the cards we've been dealt.

you'll do fine. have someone there with you if you want. put some music on or get in a silly mood, take a seat, wipe the target area, pinch, and pop it in.

cheers