Does the thigh shot hurt everytime?

A board to discuss the Multiple Sclerosis modifying drug Copaxone
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mstshirts
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Does the thigh shot hurt everytime?

Post by mstshirts »

Been at this for awhile, but that leg shot still hurts am I doing something wrong?
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dlb
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Post by dlb »

After about 2 & a half years of struggling with thigh shots, I told Shared Solutions that I was going to do 3 belly shots & rotate on a 7 day basis (so 2 arm, 2 hip & 3 belly shots). That has been working for me for the last almost a year & my thighs still feel tender. Glad I'm not the only one that had a problem with my thighs.... 'cause they acted like I was unique!
Last edited by dlb on Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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mstshirts
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Post by mstshirts »

Running out of spots, had to give up the stomach and arms So I'm down to the legs and backside. At least the upper thighs are ok still.
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Post by Absentee »

In my experience, they require fine tuning of the auto-ject (if you use that). The legs are very sensitive to the depth, a hair to deep or shallow and it gets tender. One thing that I really recommend, if you are able, is keeping moving after doing the shot - like do the dishes or something to stay on your feet. That gets the medicine moving or keeps it from getting too tender.

All that said, the auto-ject is an imperfect tool. they don't have nearly enough marks on the settings to get to the true splits that I need. I complained to SS about that and they did not seem all that interested.

Good luck.
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mstshirts
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Post by mstshirts »

I'm going to try that Thanks
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dlb
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Post by dlb »

Not sure if you have been told this... or tried it?? SS told me while I was struggling to use a hot compress just before injecting & then after the inj, an ice pack. I generally use one of those gel packs that I keep in the fridge after all injections. The hot compress helped but.... I really hated the thigh injections even so. Might help you....
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mstshirts
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Post by mstshirts »

what setting do you folks use of you use Auto. inject
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Post by Absentee »

it depends on how much fat you have on your legs. I am not a large man now am I a skinny man and I still use 5.5 to 5.75 on the legs. I extend my legs out so the skin is not tight. But I too only shoot the top half of the thigh, anythign below that bled a lot and I could not get the adjustment right.

In the Copax shot diary book, this is what it says:
- if you can pinch about 1 inch of fatty tissue, try a 6 setting
- if you can pinch about 2 inches of fatty tissue, try an 8 setting
- in lean or muscular areas where ther is very little fatty tissue, try a 4-5 setting

off, like tonight i did not go deep enough on my arm and it is stinging like hell....
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Post by mstshirts »

Thanks I'll adjust by the area. I used to use 6 bat had a lot of lumps. Now I use 8, works great accept the front of the thighs it hurts like hell. I should have adjusted years ago.) but I'm a creature of habit
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Post by RedSonja »

I never use the front of the thigh, only behind. Cooling after the jab is the great helper.

I find the lumps are not visible, though I can feel them.
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mstshirts
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Post by mstshirts »

I never got an ok to do the back of the thigh let me check on that
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Dejibo
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Post by Dejibo »

I use the SIDE wall of my thigh, and found much more fat to land in. When I shoot the top side I smack muscle everytime! its painful! so, the side wall offers me a better pad to land in.

You may find that shooting manually is more helpful on the thigh. some go at a 45 degree angle and just pop it under the layers of skin, and not so deep into the fat. Leaves a bee sting looking welt, but avoids the muscle.

Hang in there.
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mstshirts
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Post by mstshirts »

Thanks for all the replies you guys are the best. After a few days of moving around, I am keeping more to the sides and adjusting depths. The front is a def no-no. That just plain hurts evrytime
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jay123
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Post by jay123 »

Newbie to the C thing too. I have had the burning in my thighs, are you saying burning is a function of needle depth?
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mstshirts
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Post by mstshirts »

Your first month or so might be the meds, contact your Doc if it is persistent, I have found it to be the depth on the auto inject that bothers me most. Too deep and it stings. Too shallow and you get lumps
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