This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

[lottydotty]

I've been using Betasaron in the pre-filled kit for about a month and a half. I have bruises and big red marks all over! I talked to the beta nurse and she said try cortisone cream. This does not seem to be helping!
Anybody have any suggestions? I'm really skinny ( 94lbs. ) so it's hard to find any fatty part of my body. I use my butt alot and it's really starting to hurt!

[Niko]

*Maybe* the bruising is from the Autoject? Just a thought. Ask the betanurse about that.

ttyl

Niko

[VirtuallyFine]

Hey there lottydotty,

you will find a few more responses regarding bruising In General Discussion ~ Under Bruising. Perhaps not directly about betaseron, but more generally about all the injectables (and their instruments).



VF.

[lottydotty]

I asked my husband to just do it manually and that seamed to help. I do think the autoinject is the problem. I've used Rebif without bruising.
My beta nurse isn't very helpful. I even asked her if she was a RN. She said she is.
Anyway- I see the neuro April 29. I'll show the nurse there all the bruises and red welts that won't go away! I've had a big red welt on my stomach for over a month and a half! Arrrrrrggg!

[Lis]

At my last neurologist visit, I was talking to a nurse and she said there were quite a few Betaseron users who were having problems with the new prefilled syringes. The needle seems shorter and makes it harder to inject. My site reactions are worse than they used to be.
The nurse said that Berlex had been notified of the problems and som changes were going to be made.

[lottydotty]

Well, wev'e been doing it manually for awhile now and the bruising and red welts are just as bad if not worse. Neuro said it's normal for these marks to stay around for a couple months. I just don't understand that.

I've done Rebif without bruising problems. Had to stop due to high liver count.
I've done Avonex without bruising. Stopped that because I lost too much wheight. No appetite. Same with all Interferons for me. I wheigh a whole 86lbs. now.
I also take 1200mg of Prednisone once a month and that doesn't even boost my wheight a bit. Though it sure gives me acne! YUCK!

[AngelGirl]

Hi! My name is Jennifer and I've been on Betaseron for 4 months now. I am having the bruising issues as well. Not so much in my arms as my legs and rear. I'm also having a problem with large welts after I give the shot. My leg gets a golf ball size bump and then turns purple. Anyway, I went to my dermatologist for something totally different and brought it up. She suggested these pills you can get from Whole Foods called Arnica Montana. I'm not sure if it's all natural or a vitamin. I've been taking them for a few days and my bruises really seem to be clearing up. I get the ones that are really dark and then go to shades of yellow. This one on my rear went from black to yellow on the edges overnight. I will keep on it for this pack of 80 pills to see if it helps with the initial bruising so I'm not 100% sold, but for $5 I thought I would try it and tell you all in case it can help you too.

[lottydotty]

Hi, Jennifer and thank you for replying! I have the same problem with welts and bruising. I'll definitly check into the pills you're suggesting. I'm curious to know exactly what they are.
The welts and bruises are hideous! It's embarrasing to where shorts out in public!
Personaly, I'm waiting for Antegren to be appoved! An infusion every three months sounds better than this. Providing it actually works with lesions!

Take care![/b]

[lottydotty]

what's with that [b/]? I don't have a clue how that got there!

[deehammer]

Heh, I get alot of bruising too! I got less with the Avonex, but was worse with the Copaxone. My Neuro told me it is because Avonex is intermuscular and Beta is subQ. Being closer to the seface and all. Also she thinks that I jump when I get the shot and that could be part of it. I have been on this for 4 years and it's not getting any better. I think Jennifer has a good ideas. Thanks! I"ll give it a try. Dee Hi Lotty!

[deehammer]

DUH! I ment surface! Dee

[FOGGYBRAIN]

Hi there fellow beta user,

I am also using the new system. I am not able to use my thighs or stomache right now. Beta nurse suggested I try setting depth to 10 instead of 12, but first check with my neuro to get his opinion. It seems you get less reaction going through a fattier area at 12 mm setting, so 10mm won't go so deep. Not sure that made sense, hope you get what I am trying to say LOL. I am only using butt cheek and have very little or no site reaction at all!! Lots of fat there!!

Hope things get better!!

Be well
Pam

[lottydotty]

I've been doing it manually for awhile now. It seems to help but I still bruise. It's just not as bad. Still takes forever to go away! I hate it!
Hi, Dee!

[Livelong]

I've had the same problem until an RN told me I was pressing the autoject too tightly to the skin and the medication was going below the subcutaneous layer.

I hold it gently against my skin and rarely have a reaction since.

Hope this helps.

Livelong and prosper