Hi there,

Been on Rebif for 18 months, injecting to my stomach area 3 times a week. Have always had the usual red 50 p size site sores. However on left side of my stomach have now got a lump. The skin is pale over the top - no redness, but there is a definite lump under the skin about walnut size. I did let my M S Nurse feel it, she said it could be a cyst but was probably from injections. Did not suggest any further actions, the area is tender especially if leaning against sink. Has anyone experienced similar. Do I need to be concerned.

Many thanks

Sue

you need to move your shot sites before the skin get damaged. your pour tummy us going to give you problems.

Thanks stickman, do you defo think it is just injection site build up then. Is my stomach going to be full of lumps if I remain on meds?

Sue,
I was on Avonex and I am now on Betaseron as a matter of fact I am currently finding excuses not to do my shot tonite. I rotate my shot site as far as possible . The reason I do is both my kids (both are now grown and on there own) are type one diabetics since they were very young. if they didnt rotate their sites they got awful lumps and sometimes even infections. This was especially bad for my daughter. how ever there is a ray of sunshine in this after they rotated their sites ALL over the lumps did clear up.
P.S. I still hate giving myself a shot and have not worked up the courage to do it in my tummy. Worse yet I havent gotten the courage to let someone else give it to me there, even though my daughter is a nurse and my son is a med student. Kinda embarrasing

Hi Gary

Thanks for your informative answer, my daughter is also a student nurse. First time I let her inject me it stung and I bled! I do it myself now and grit my teeth. I know what you mean thought its hard to be enthusiastic about it. I once tried my thigh - oh my goodness I have never been there again since - do not know where else to do it. So have stuck to my tummy.

Thanks for responding

Sue

It's time to cheat. get the autoinjector. bang... push the button and your dunn.
play with it empty first for a while if your a little gun shy. but for the backs of the arm shots it works great. some briusing at the shot spot but no pinching to do.
Went though-- avonex- rebif- copax too they all suck, but we got to keep going. keep the faith.
steve.

I have been using Beta for over five years now. I totally agree with the suggestions to rotate the sites - I always used to 'hit' my thigh, but I ended up getting some pretty obvious 'hail damage' there.

I found that if I inject an area too frequently, the shot is more painful - I think the skin must thicken. The upper, outside of the front of the thigh (god, did that make sense????) was the least painful area for me - the lower I went toward my knee the more it hurt.

I use the upper part of my butt a lot (plenty of surface area there - and subcutaneous fat ) it is possible to do this to yourself, instead of pinching I sit on a hard chair and press down on the skin above it so that it is firm.

Do invest in an autoinjector - they are much better and I am WAY too much of a chicken to do it any other way.

Cheers
Lyn

LOL - thanks for the advice - I have an autoinjector but cant get hang of it so just go for the kill and inject with the syringe. Will try some of the other places you suggested. I agree the skin must get tough cos sometimes I bleed if go in where been before.

Thanks

Susan,

I am currently taking Copaxone, but previously took Rebif. I'll be honest, I did not like the autoinjector w/ Rebif at all (although w/ C that is the ONLY way I'll "shoot"). I found the rebif needle was very small and didn't hurt going in at all, but the meds burned, so the autoinjector hurt me b/c it pushed the meds way too fast. I always put the needle in and then very slooooowly pushed the meds.

But, you cannot keep shooting in only your stomach! What other sites have you tried? I know you said you tried your thigh, but is that it? you'll have to try them all to know. For me, thighs were my favorite w/ rebif, but I hate them w/ Copaxone, so it's something you have to play with. My favorite spot now is my hips. My advice is not only try all the sites, but try pushing the meds really slow. Once in a while, I still hit a spot that bleeds, but that is uncommon, so give your thigh another try too!

Good luck!

Susan,

I have been on Rebif for 4 years. I too suggest that you find a way to alternate your sites more. I use stomach, tops of legs, and hips. I do use the autoject, because I could not do the rear if I didn't. If you are finding it hard to get the hang of the autoject, and want to try it, see if your Neuro's nurse can help. If she is unable to do so then call the Rebif nurse and she might find someone in your area who will help you.

I had one spot that got a little like what you are talking about. It concerned me at first, but I stayed away from injecting too near and it went away.

Good luck,
Virginia