Thanks everyone for your previous supportive comments. I feel like a trespasser here because it seems that everyone knows each other so well! But I'm going to bother you with a newbie question. I've been on the copaxone for only 10 days now. Does it ever get any less stressful to inject (and of course this is daily). Will I eventually get mostly used to it? It just hurts so freakin bad-- it's like getting stung by a bee every day. And I think, oh my god I have to do this for the rest of my life. I thought I was doing okay the past few days...thinking this isn't too bad, I'm not having very intense reactions but then tonight it bled and left a huge nasty white welt surrounded by a red rash. Anyone know why it bleeds? I think the stress got to me and I just broke down sobbing. Every day the shot is just a reminder of the MS and maybe I really haven't adjusted to the diagnosis yet? Sometimes I ask why me? The general population has a .5% chance of getting MS. The odds are so SLIM yet here I got it. In the meantime, my husband is having a hard time adjusting too. After all we had only been married 3 months when all this came down. I'm sure he wasn't expecting to get such a raw deal (wife with chronic illness) in the bargain.

I don't take Copaxone, so I can't help there. But I know how you feel about being the new kid on the block. I thought I never would get to know everyone. I still get people and stories confused. But don't let that stop you. Just jump right in. Everyone here is so friendly and they have helped me more than they even know! I've done more reading than actually writing. But now I am feeling more comfortable with joining in.

You will have much help with anything you need to ask. So ask away!!!!!

Nice to meet you!
~a friend

Hello, I use copaxone too. I also use the auto inject, some say it is the cause of some of the injection pains, me I cant inject with out it, so i have adjusted the depth and it takes time to get it right. so if you are not using auto inject make sure you are not going too deep and of course letting med warm to room temp helps a little. I will also say about two weeks into using copaxone i thought what you were thinking I am going to do this everyday for ever well I am over two yrs now and its easier, think part of it is the mental part of having to do this every day, you out weigh why you are taking the med. and everyday was my choice

now on to more serious issues trespassing,

i see no signs posted, so nope your not doing that, and the more you talk the more you get to know the really wonderful people here so jump in and ask answer, ask upon someone elses answer, you might notice some of the threads start in one direction and end in a different one, those are some of the better threads the deeper discussed ones , dont hesitate to talk give it a spin

Are you using the autoject?

Are you letting the alcohol dry before injecting. Make sure you let it dry for at least 30 seconds before you inject. My dad gave me a shot tonight, and he basically just wiped the skin and then stabbed me. That really hurt! I have to always remind him, otherwise his speedy nurse training takes over and he just stabs and quickly injects. (when manually injecting, count to at least 10 or 15 seconds while slooooowly injecting, less painful that way)

Have your cotton ball out and ready, hold it just below the autoject and when you remove the autoject from the skin, put the cotton ball on the site as quick as you can, just in case it bleeds.

The reason for the bleeding would probably mean that you accidentally got a vein. It happens sometimes. I've had a few "gushers" from injecting too far back on my thigh, which is why I've learned to be ready with that cotton ball.

I've been using the C since october (late september???) and it was extremely painful when using the autoinjector. I finally got tired of the killer bee stings every day, and asked my dad (a nurse) to show me how to inject manually...which is not quite as painful. Since, I can control how fast the injection happens, rather than harpooning myself with the autoject.

It does get better...eventually. If you're getting really painful site reactions, you can always contact Shared Solutions and ask them to contact the injection training nurse and they can come back and see if it's a training issue or if there's something wrong with the needles or autoject. They can also teach you to inject manually.

I've had a couple of nasty site reactions (dull needles again) and so I've had my dad give me the last couple of shots in areas that I cant really reach (let's just say the upper part of my butt stings a bit right now)

Oh, another thought on why it hurts. Before you put the needle into the autoject, tap your finger on the side of the syringe, and make sure that any bubbles are at the plunger end of the needle, and not the needle end of the needle. Air bubbles can be painful if you inject them. That could be a major reason for the bee sting effect.

I went thru a lot of angst when getting the autoject ready for the bee sting...I was getting so stressed out that I just finally went and asked my dad to show me how to do it manually. It was so much easier and less painful. I still get a bit of angst, but it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be.

If you're capable of doing manual injections, try that. I think it does make it easier, and plus, you can slowly remove the syringe, and that way you can get the cotton ball onto the injection site quicker.

I'll not comment on the Copaxone Natalie because I no longer take it, but I did want to comment on another part of your post.



Please don't feel you're trespassing. Just remember everyone of us was new at some stage. The only way we get to know each other is by reading each other's posts, replying to those who posted, and by starting our own threads and responding to any replies.

After a while you'll find that some of us are rather hard to get rid of! I wouldn't have it any other way myself.

Don't ever feel like a trespasser here! Everyone is welcome! This is your home! We have all been in your shoes

I have been on Betaseron and Copaxone, and I can tell you that yes, it does get easier to inject...after a while it just becomes part of your daily routine..but you are right, it is a daily reminder that you have this MonSter of a disease. No kidding about that.

As for tips about injecting: I didn't use the autoinflictor (my pet name for that damn thing). I had more site reactions with it than without it. Seriously...when I stop using it and did my injections manually, I did much better. I felt more in control and the site reactions were much less.

I also did my shots in the morning right after my shower. That way I could just sit for a few minutes and let the med absorb, that helped a lot too.

Erin had a good point about the alcohol drying, but if you give your shot right after your shower, no need for the alcohol swipe. You are clean. (that's advice from my doctor...not just my opinion )

Also, if you are having a site reaction, such as burning or redness that lasts for more than few minutes, try Arnica Gel or Benadryl on the site. You can get Arnical Gel at any health food store such as GNC. It really helps with the stinging/burning/redness.

I tried icing the site, especially my stomach area which I found to be my best injection site. Ice it for about 3-5 minutes prior to injection, and you don't feel a thing.

Welcome to our MS Forum and Neurotalk Natalie. We are a close community, but our doors are always open! We care about all our members/friends!

Hi I'm Taffy. (slides you some chocolates & a )

There...now have met. No strangers here! (laughter in the background) I meant like we all are welcome here. (pay no attention to the laughing)

Anyhoo to the subject....

I inject with Rebif (6 wonderful years..Not!)

What I do is wash the area with soap & water

Inject manually...slowly

Massage the area

I hope your injections work better for you soon!

Thanks for the advice. I am using the autoinject right now. I was on Rebif for 2 weeks about 2 months ago. I was manually injecting that. It barely hurt. But the drug made me depressed and sick as a dog, as in I can't get out of bed and go to work sick. My training nurse for the C. said I should use the autoinject -- she didn't even explain manual shots. But I learned from the R. nurse so I could do it if I have to. I'm putting a heat pack on the spot for 10 mins. which helps a lot. I let the alcohol dry. The last couple before last night were fine -- only left a red rash for an hour or two. But I think I got freaked out about doing it manually because early on I had one needle that came out bent and the other seemed really dull!! If they are dull I'm worried the needle won't go in easily manually. The Rebif needles looked so so fine and didn't freak me out. The copaxone needles look a little wider than the R. needles and they have that strange jagged point on the end (like they are cut at an angle, not straight across). Is that normal? I wil try tapping the bubble. Taking after a shower seems like a good idea. I have to switch to the morning anyhow because it is giving me major insomnia!!
Another question -- I know you have to rotate the sites. But any suggestions for how you rotate within each individual site? They say do it 2 inches from the last place. Are you always having to mark down everyday where you do it so you remember the next time around? I've been trying to mark down but it seems like a pain. Like an idiot I did two shots in the same thigh, near the same place, 2 days in a row this week. My leg definitely hurt for awhile after that.

*looks around for strangers*

( i see a few strange people but NO strangers! )

As far as the Copaxone, I was on it for 1 1/2 years and I can tell you the Arnica gel really helped me. I kept the tube in the freezer, the gel doesn't freeze. It cooled the site after I did the shot, and reduced the welt and burn and itching that always seemed to hang around for days afterward.

I too found it hurt less and left less of a welt and itchiness when I injected manually. You get to control the speed of the injection and it was better injecting sloooowly for me.

As far as injection sites, I did R thigh, R hip, R stomach, L stomach, L hip, L thigh. I never did my arms because I didn't want anything showing.

Good luck and NEVER be afraid of us! ( or most of us anyway!!! )

Stop using the heat on the site...that could be part of the problem! Try the ice. That's my experience! I know that there was a batch of dull needle complaints here a bit ago from Shared Solutions...so you might want to call them and ask for some replacement meds!

As far as rotation, whatever works for you. Up a little, down a little. It just has to be subcutaneous...not muscle...pinch an inch!

I never used my arms, only because I work as a landscaper designer and am out in the sun a lot and the sun made the welts stay...so I only used my thighs, buttocks, stomach and the backs of my legs. I am sort of a thin person, so finding areas was not easy. I found tho that lots of room in the buttocks and backs of my thighs. Stomach was a great area around my belly button. My GPs nurse showed me that. The ice really helped, just putting the needle in at a 45 degree angle was the trick! No problemo!

Keep asking questions Natalie.

Hahahahaha RW...Strange people is right...you fit so well!!!