This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hey everyone. I'm new to this forum (and also to MS). I don't have it myself; my girlfriend was diagnosed a couple months ago and I believe she's on Copaxone. We've only been together a few weeks so I don't know for sure, but from reading about the different medications it sounds like that's the one. Anyway, she almost always gets big red welts at the injection sites. They burn at first, then the next day (I think) can become itchy. She's tried putting heat on them, but it doesn't do much. Has anyone had success with treating these symptoms? Her doctor told her the reaction was normal and to use Benedryl cream on the areas, but that doesn't do too much either. I think she's most concerned with the welts themselves, rather than the itching. Any ideas?

Hi peanut-
welcome. Wishing you and your girlfriend well as she adjusts to the daily injections. The best advice for site reaction varies from individual to individual.
some basics-
Make sure alcohol is dry before injecting-
Keep the needle in at least 10 seconds after all medicine is injected, so it can disperse before removing needle-
Some people use hot, others cool compresses, some an ice cube
Cortaid, benedryl, and band-aid gel have all been recommended
some people massage the site

It's really a matter of experimenting. My husband uses the autoinject and just kind of deals with it. Some times he has a lump the next day. Worst place is the arms. To him, it's all worth it, because his MS hasn't progressed and he hasn't had a relapse. That kind of takes the "sting" out of the shots-

best to you both,
AC

_________________
Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

Teva(the maker of Copaxone) suggests that you never use a hot pad after injection but that you can heat the site before hand. Also you can stick the syringe under your armpit for a few minutes before injection as to bring the Copaxone to body temperature. Then after injection to use only a source of cold to comfort your injection site. They also recommend not massaging or itching the site for the first 24 hours after the injection.