This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I spent the last month learning and getting comfortable doing the injections with copaxone. This week I switched from auto injector to the manual. All is cool until I get to today with is hip day. When I injected, the needle bent, and as I couldnt see it, the injection got juust under the skin, and I tore the skin pulling the needle out. How do i make this work without the auto injector. My fingers/legs are numb, so any tips?

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"A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that." -- Shane

Who is John Galt?

ouch!
So, why may I ask, do you wish to manually inject? I did it the opposite way - started manually injecting & switched to the auto-injector. I like it better. I am not really a big fan of the new needles they introduced about a year ago. They are a smaller diameter needle but I think they do bend too readily and I find that it takes forever for the medication to be administered.... Apparently the upside is less inj site reactions but I never had a problem with that. Not sure what advice to offer, except go back to the auto-inj?? Best of luck....
Deb

I have found that I don't get swelling with manual like i do with autoinject, and I can do it on the fly without setting it all up and loading the auto. Until today, I was loving it.

_________________
"A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that." -- Shane

Who is John Galt?

I think the auto-injector is nutty. I definitely prefer doing it manually. It's very simple and there is no need for the amount of pressure that the auto inject uses, which is what causes the injection site reactions.

Simply placing the heel of your palm on to the skin and pressing down gently is all it takes. If you don't have feeling in your hands/fingers, that should stabilize your hand and make it a lot easier. There should be a diagram in the box on the instruction page to show you what I mean.

I much prefer doing it manually. I switched years ago-- a lot less pain and swelling and I find it much simpler and faster, too!

Seems like it is a personal preference decision, I use the auto inject and it works great for me.

Shucks, I inject manually in the stomach and thighs. It only needs to get under the skin so it can be done at any angle 10-45 degrees. I use the auto on my hips(butt) because I don't have enough control/dexterity to manually inject back there.

Manual is better because I can inject slower which decreases any swelling. I have bent the needle before but it didn't cause any problem.

Jim