So I started Copaxone on Feb 22 and after I was on it for just under a month I started getting VERY intense itching at my injection sites on my arms, and to a lesser extent, my legs. Like, bad enough that I drew blood scratching at myself, couldn't sleep, chopped off all my nails in an effort to not scratch, and with little success.

I found that if I took Benedryl it didn't really stop the itching, but it did knock me out, so I would do that. I now am on Allegra and some prescription triamcinolone cream that lasts about an hour, plus the Benedryl at night if that isn't helping. I sometime put ice on them to try to confuse them, but that also has a really mild effect.

I feel like I'm going crazy! It is so distracting and come in waves where I just MUST scratch. I have what looks like tiger claw marks on my right arm from a couple days ago, and with Summer (hopefully!) coming sometime soon, I'm going to not want to be wearing long sleeves/pants for the rest of my life.

Any suggestions?

Call your doctor, you shouldn't be itching.

I don't remember it being a big side effect when I did C. Other than right at the injection sites.

When I get the MS itchys, I use this clear lotion called
Caladryl and it does help. I never got the itchys from
Copaxone though. Hope you're not allergic.

I remember the baseball lumps in the beginning being hot and itchy. It wore off but it took many months.

I started taking a low dose of benedryl before the shot and iced it after. Occasionally I wore gloves to bed so as not to scratch in my sleep.

Best to you,
ANN

I started taking Copaxone in February also. I too experienced the horrible itching. I noticed that my stomach doesn't itch so I only inject there. I know I shouldn't do that but the itching is to bad. I tried ice, heat, benadryl but nothing worked. I also set the auto injector at 10. 7I noticed that the deeper the needle, the itching doesn't occur on my stomach. But every other place it does. Just horrible!!

QUOTE=bowdowntobri;970371]So I started Copaxone on Feb 22 and after I was on it for just under a month I started getting VERY intense itching at my injection sites on my arms, and to a lesser extent, my legs. Like, bad enough that I drew blood scratching at myself, couldn't sleep, chopped off all my nails in an effort to not scratch, and with little success.

I found that if I took Benedryl it didn't really stop the itching, but it did knock me outstarted would do that. I now am on Allegra and some prescription triamcinolone cream that lasts about an hour, plus the Benedryl at night if that isn't helping. I sometime put ice on them to try to confuse them, but that also has a really mild effect.

I feel like I'm going crazy! It is so distracting and come in waves where I just MUST scratch. I have what looks like tiger claw marks on my right arm from a couple days ago, and with Summer (hopefully!) coming sometime soon, I'm going to not want to be wearing long sleeves/pants for the rest of my life.

Any suggestions?[/QUOTE]

Does it only happen when you inject in your arms? If so, then see about not injecting in your arms. When I was on C, I had horrible reactions and itching when I did my legs. I stopped injecting in my legs. If the reaction is happening at all injection sites, discuss it with your dr. as well as Shared Solutions.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing!

Thanks guys! It is primarily my arms, but also my legs to a lesser extent. It is weird, because sometimes the itching is unbearable, but other times it is non-existant. I made an appointment with my neuro to see about getting BG-12 instead, so we will see if I can go without the stupid shots in a month or so!

I use Zyrtec (a generic form, forget the name) as an antihistimine. For me it is much better than Benadryl, as it does not make me sleepy. I use it for the intense itch of Polycythemia Vera, which comes and goes and is worst at night. It just about cuts the itch in half. I use only natural food store creams on my skin, which might help you if you, too, are sensitive to the additives in creams at regular stores; but it sounds like the itch is primarily at the injection sites, so I guess that would not help. You must call the doctor because itch of this intensity can be an allergic reaction.

I started Copaxone in March and also get the intense itch at the injection site, but it happens 2 days after the injectin. I'm told it will lessen with time and as my body adjusts to the med. I use ice before and after. I also have a bee sting feeling about 5 minutes after injecting. My arms and legs are the worst. I use the autoject and like that fact but wonder if that has anything to do with it. I hope that it will lessen with time. Good luck. keep us updated.