This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I started Copaxone injections 2 weeks ago and have been doing fine with no major issues. My standard practice is to inject, and then ice.

This morning, I must admit that I was dreading the right thigh ( which was my next injection site) because my injection yesterday stung a bit more than usual and that was my left thigh. I had no problems - at all - with either of these sites for the last two weeks, but it seems as though as I move farther down the thigh (using the 2 inches away rule), it is becoming more painful.

I gave myself the injection in the lower Right Thigh and put the ice on my leg and was at pain level 6 on a 1-10 scale. The odd thing was the the ice almost seemed to make it worse, and I also have a large (about 2 inches) in diameter raised pink mark on my leg.

Of course, I am going to call my Copaxone nurse and/or the nurse educator that I had but does anyone know what the heck I did wrong this time? Or better yet, if I can never, ever, ever inject in my thighs again and find a new - and better - spot ?

Are you using the autoject? what setting do you have it on? I have only been using it for 2 weeks but I already noticed if I the injection is not deep enough it hurts. There is also a sweet spot when it comes to depth.

I was also told not to ice the area by my nurse she says it hurts more.

Are using an alcohol swab? Are you letting it dry properly before you inject?

Have tried taking the shot after a warm shower?

Do you use Benadryl Spray?

I take my shot around 10 at night. I take a shower right before. I don't prep the area with alcohol. I am lean so i either use 4 or 5 (between 4 and 6) on the autoject. The spots that I have to use 4 on hurt more... After my shot spray I Benadryl then I apply some pressure with a cotton ball. After a minute of applying pressure I stop then I spray one more shot of Benadryl. If do my legs I try to walk it off I find if I sit still it stings more. After 5 minutes the sting is gone... Maybe my technique works or I just tolerate the shot better. If you are not using Benadryl spray get it asap it made a huge difference for me.

this is the spray i use

http://www.amazon.com/Benadryl-spray-re ... B000RDMQMA

Lower legs can really sting and hurt, I just think it's the way they are. Try adjusting the needle depth depending on your body fat. If lean go shallower. I actually have to keep my body fat a bit higher than I would like to maintain injection sites (lipoatrophy has destroyed a lot of the sites I used to use when I was leaner, and yes, I rotated sites religiously) so it could be that you need a shallower injection?

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Concussus Resurgo
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RR-MS dx 1998 and Coeliac dx 2003
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Copaxone, Cymbalta. EPO, Fish Oils, Vitamin D3 2000 IU daily, Cal/Mag/Zinc, Multivitamin/mineral, Co-Enzyme Q10, Probiotics, Milk Thistle.

Yes, I use the autoject. I had it set to just above the 4 line. Not that I am 'skinny', but I was told by the copaxone nurse that I didn't have alot of fat on my thighs, so that I would normally be between 4 and 5. I had it at 5 last week, and moved the site down my leg just a bit this week to a less fatty spot so I changed it to 4.5 (or, just above 4).

I do swab first -- the very first thing that I do before I load the autoject, etc. So, it don't think that it is that. And, for the record, this is more than a 'sting'. I can't tell whether its too deep or too shallow...?

I have iced for the last two weeks, but do use the Benadryl spray if it gets itchy. This was not itchy so much as extremely painful.

I have only been taking the injections for 2 weeks, but have been 'religious' about rotating sites. 7 days -- 7 different sites. Always 2 inches from the last.

A 4 on the autoinject? Wow, that's pretty shallow.

I've heard arguments for using either ice or heat at the injection site to try to relieve pain. One nurse told me to try heat (like a heating pad), reasoning that this will increase blood flow to the area, and get the medicine out of there quicker.

i am on copaxone.......
and cannot do the leg.... it hurts too bad...
i have my auto set on 8 or 10..... i am a larger woman, however my legs seem to have more muscle than fat....... and i have lots of veins, so hard for me to find spots on my legs....

i was told that the more shallow the needle the more it could hurt, as it has to go past surface.....

i have a hard time with arms too. i hit a nerve, and never dared to do it again....

i have been on C for about 4 months, and i use mostly my belly.....

i do heat first, inject, then if needed i apply ice, or heat again....

and i was told not to use swabs.....

i guess we all have to find what is comfy for our own body....

i manually inject. i had gone interstate and realised i left my autoinject at home. i should mention that my original autoinject was faulty, the needle was entering my skin at an angle and it HURRTT!

ANyway. I had no choice but to manually inject for the 7 days awayy from home. i found that i did not develop large welt like i did with autoinject and i had more control over depth (can tell when too deep), and cause the hand is much much much more gentle than the BANGGGGG sensation of the autoinject, i have less pain too. No ice pack needed now whether with the autoinject i found that an ice pack is a must!

All i do is hold a big blob of skin - love my wording lol its late, and slowwwly push the syringe in til it slides smoothly to your desired depth, and inject slllooowwwlllyyyyyyy as to not develop air bubbles which hurt. i take 10-20 seconds to inject the whole syringe. plus, the auto inject empties the whole syringe in like 4 seconds - which in my opinion is waaayyy to quick.

xxx you shouldtry it once. it doesnt hurt, just hold your handful of skin vvveerrryyyyy tight when entering syringe

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... if it's going to be, it's up to me ...

Thank you for your suggestion and for sharing your experience. I will definitely try a manual injection as soon as I work up the courage!!!! I'm honest! I might plant to give it a try on Saturday. If you don't mind me asking, how do you pinch an inch when you are injecting in to the sites on your arms?

I've been on Copaxone almost a year. In my leg, I actually stick to the outter thigh - it's a little fattier so I hardly feel it. For me, if I do it on the top of my leg, it reeeallly hurts. I also do it sitting down and relaxed with the autoject.