[KittyLady]

Not sure where to post this, so here it goes~ I have been on copaxone for just 2 months now and with every injection for the last 5 injections, I have gotten this huge painful lump under the skin and a nice beautiful welt. I am still working on getting rid of a huge lump in my leg from a month in a half ago!! I want to quit these shots. I did beta back in 2002 for almost a year and had bad side effects from that. Stick a fork in me... Im done. Anyone else?

[Blessings2You]

Hi there! This is the place, and welcome to it! Have you tried calling Shared Solutions for advice? I had some pretty big lumps the first few weeks; most of them went away. They told me to massage them the next day (not right after the shot).

I have a love/hate relationship with Copaxone. I get sick of it, or get scared of it and take a break...then I picture myself in a wheelchair or blind and I get scared NOT to take it.

[ANNagain]

Hi KL and welcome!

Sorry about your Copaxone experience. I believe it is everyone's Copaxone experience. It last for a few months and gets better. I called the company 2 or 3 weeks in and asked the nurses, "How do you keep anybody on this?"

I'm now years (5, 6?) into this drug and I still occasionally get a bump but no more baseballs. And it is working.

Everyone is different. You might want to think about your next move is before you stop this one.

My best to you,
ANN

[Dejibo]

I did beta and it tried to kill my liver. I did copaxone for a long time and it left whelts, bruises, dents, and I felt horrible taking it. my neuro was not happy, but I laid down my needles. Im done.

I wish you the best of luck.

[dewtwo]

I'm on Copaxone second time around. Did 7 mo. was not helping. Went to Tysabri 8 mo. felt great, but, had 20 skin cancers cut off! (Tybabri promotes skin cancer if you'r the type). Doc said stop Tysabri, and go back to Copaxone(last 6 mo.) The big red welts, and pain or itching ranges from minor....., to major......!!! DIFFERENT EVERY DAY!!!!!....

[Debbie D]

Been on C 3 1/2 years now...my neuro told me to inject it deeper. I use the autoject and I set it at an 8. I hardly ever get welts now.
Do you also push on the injection site with a cotton ball for one minute after you inject? It helps get the med in deeper...

I had to discontinue injecting in arms and thighs. My thighs have a permanent thickening of the subcutaneous area. I have air pockets and crevices where I inject that are permanent.

And welcome to NT...lots of info, support and hugs here. I learned so much from others here!!

[Dejibo]

PLEASE dont push on Copaxone when you inject. its made of very sharp crystals and if you push on it, it causes those crystals to rupture, and that causes fat destruction. you can gently place an ice pack on it, or put firm pressure around the outside area, but avoid pushing into the middle of C. I learned that the hard way. With BRA you must push to get the meds deeper, but C is different and when you fracture those crystals, it not only makes your med less effective, it does tissue damage.

I hate this disease. Too many rules. Push for this, dont push for that. Rub this, dont touch that. Put this in the fridge keep this at room temp. Use an injector for this, its easier without an injector for that. ...too many rules!

[KittyLady]

Thank you everyone for all your comments. I have contacted SS for help and all they tell me is that lumps are common, welts are common and apply pressure with cotton ball for 30 seconds to a minute after injection.

I have done all that, asked others on copax for help and done what they suggested and Im still getting lumps, bruises, welts, etc. I really want to stop the meds, but my dh said if I stop the meds, Im not trying to take care of myself and if I stop my meds he'll stop his, (he has grand mal seizures and takes meds).

Ive had this for 20 yrs, yet everyone is speaking for me and its getting old. When is it my time to say enough??

[barb02]

I was on copaxone for about 5 months and had the same problems with baseball size welts. I hated them. However I think I would have stayed on it if I had not experienced so many IPIR's. In fact, I did try it once again after being taken off of tysabri but a few hours after the very first injection, my temperature shot up to 103 and I was shaking with a fever for several hours. Since this was an uncommon side effect, my neuro told me to stop. I also experienced reactions during the ty infusions and developed antibodies. I was pulled off of it after going into severe shock.

[ANNagain]

KittyLady,

I think it is very unfair of your husband to make that argument. There are other meds. If you decide to stop this med, it should be your decision. I hope your husband can support you.

ANN