Betaseron - Ouch! Help!

[emass]

I have been using Beta for just over 2 years now and I can barely bring myself to inject anymore it hurts so bad. It's not the injection itself that is painful, but the medicine itself when it goes in. It stings! Then it leaves horrible marks on my legs and arms (I've stopped injecting in the arms), and anywhere I've injected it hurts for weeks. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong because it doesn't matter if I do the injection myself or if my husband does it, it hurts no matter what. I always premedicate, and after injecting I rub the spot for a few minutes. Does anyone have any thoughts? I skipped injections for a month because I just couldn't bring myself to do it, I was too scared. My doctor said I could either try switching to Avonex, or wait until BG-12 comes out. I just want to cry, the thought of an injection just fills me with dread.

[dpmich]

I understand the dread of the shots. I had bad pain and nasty spots show up and stay for many months. Ended up switching to Avonex, I don't regret it a bit. I rarely feel anything at all with the needle/injections and NO med burn at all. (They are great after 5 years of the Beta soreness.) I wish I'd have switched sooner. It got to where certain areas bleed excessively and I know it's because of the Beta injections.

Good luck to you.

[Bob698]

Hey neighbor.
Could you provide some more details?
I'm wondering if you're injecting too close to muscle tissue?
If I get too close, it feels like someone put out a cigar on the spot where I injected. Kinda like a burning pain, it also lasts for a while, like a week or more.

You might want to call Betaplus. They could send the nurse out to see you. Ask how to do "the pinch" when you do your shot, that's one way to keep a shot away from muscle tissue.

[Toomnyhats]

You might want to call Betaplus. They could send the nurse out to see you. Ask how to do "the pinch" when you do your shot, that's one way to keep a shot away from muscle tissue.

Doing "the pinch" helps as does letting the syringe sit for several minutes after the meds are mixed.

When I was having problems a year or do ago someone here on the boards suggested that & I found it really helps.

The other suggestions I received was to make sure the alcohol is completely dried before you inject.

I also agree that asking the Beta Nurses is a good idea.

[emass]

Update

Well I have talked to a Beta nurse and I'm really dissapointed as I'm not really doing anything or not doing anything they can pinpoint as a potential cause of my issues. The only thing they suggested was to ice the area prior to injecting. I can try that. It bothers me though. I gave an injection back on August 4th in my abdomen that still is painful and I can feel a lump under my skin. When I bend over, etc. it hurts. Things like that bother me and I'm just thinking of stopping.

[alliesmommy]

Hi emass.

I have the same exact problem. I got bumps on my arms so bad that my neuro sent the beta nurse out again to see if we were doing anything wrong, but we weren't. She said we were doing everything right. I dread getting my shot. I have tried everything imaginable, nothing has worked so i just grin and bear it. My DH gives I to me and it burns so bad. Sometimes it stings so bad that even after he has taken it out, it still feels like the needle is still in there. I feel what you are going thru. The only reason I still take it is because my neuro is a little old school and said that Betaseron is the oldest drug for MS and has the best success rate per clinical proof.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[hope32]

I was on Copaxone first and had tons of issues with injection site reactions. When I had my Beta injection training, I was overjoyed that I barely felt it. However, after several months, the injections became painful again, sometimes worse than others. They never lasted as long as you're describing though; I don't think. Maybe a week or two.

I think in your shoes I'd probably consider switching meds. Also I don't know anything about BG-12. Is that injections too?