[Erin524]

I've tried all week to give myself a shot. I've only been successful maybe twice in the past 5 days. The dang needles are either dull, or the skin I'm trying to inject into feels weird and when I do get a needle into it, it looks....weird. Cant explain the weird skin tho.


I'm calling SS tomorrow and asking them if I should either have a nurse come back out and see if I'm doing something wrong, or if I should just go to my regular doctor and have him tell me if there's something wrong with my skin that the needle wont go thru it.

I'm getting tired of trying to stab myself and not getting past the first layer of skin. That hurts and makes my leg itch. Plus, tossing out unused meds is driving me nuts. It makes me feel like I'm pouring gasoline into the gutter. (heck, gasoline is only a bit less expensive than Copaxone is!)

I would just like to be able to have a successful stab if I'm going to all the trouble to poke myself with the sharp, pointy things.

[sassy]

Sounds like you're manually injecting, are you pinching the skin up to make it easier for the needle to pierce the skin?

Sorry you're having so much trouble.

[Erin524]

yeah, I'm pinching the inch (or two)

[Girlie Girl]

That is a bummer! Sorry I can't help, I use the auto injector. Hope it gets better for you!

[Erin524]

Originally Posted by Girlie Girl

That is a bummer! Sorry I can't help, I use the auto injector. Hope it gets better for you!

I used the auto-inflictor until I started getting dull needles in my boxes of C. (stupid quality control!) I switched to doing manual injections because they're actually not as scary and dont stress me out as much and they're much easier to do...when the needle isnt dull.

I'm just a bit annoyed because this week the MS is twiddling around with my right eye...it's going back and forth from sometimes-good vision to mostly-crappy-vision. The needles being dull just annoys me because I want to inject in the hopes that whatever the C might be doing, could possibly help (I know it probably doesnt.)

It's just a bit annoying that the MS doesnt seem to ever leave me alone. If it's not doing something weird to the sensation in my feet, it's messing with my eye or making me feel someone's stabbing me in the ribcage. Continuous torture. Let's market this and sell it to the CIA for billions.

[Foggy Brain]

you are still having troubles injecting your copaxone. I also use the autoinjector for injections and had a dull needle once or twice which does cause pain. I noticed myself tensing up when I would attempt the next shot in fear of more pain. I learned to change my line of thinking, and stopped focusing on potential pain/tensing to more positive thoughts of the needle entering without a hitch - and it seems to work!

It also has been said on other copaxone threads that injecting at a 45 degree angle helps matters. Have you tried changing the angle you are injecting to see if the needle would enter the skin easier? Hopefully you will find relief soon from your shots.

[Dejibo]

I have tough skin, so sometimes I find it is frustrating to try to shoot myself. My thighs are really bad! Like elephant skin. I too refuse to go back to the AI, as it was loud and violent. I have also run into some dull needles.

You sound frustrated as well. Take a breath. Give yourself a pep talk, and pinch up some skin. I find that one some areas I can just stab like a dart. on others I have to just push into the skin without the ragged aim of a dart thrower. Sometimes when I push slower, I find that its WAY more painful, and that makes me want to withdraw the needle and pick a new spot. Sometimes I have 3 or 4 pokes in the same area before I find a spot that isnt making me want to scream before I finish the shot.

Have courage. Be patient, and know that you are not alone. Im sitting across the room saying the same things.

[Motors Mommy]

Im on Rebif. And I found that icing the area helps greatly!!!! Then i can stab away and not worry about the pain!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

[NurseNancy]

ouch. i'm sorry this is happening to you erin.
i'm an autoinjector gal.

i'd take the med to your dr and have his nurse or MA inject you.
see what they think.

they can also evaluate the needle.
then go back to shared solutions.

gosh, i hope this gets better for you.