Do the welts and itching ever stop???

[Gsd mom]

I have been on copaxone for 2 months. Not nearly as bad as I thought it would be...I usually auto inject...the past 2 weeks in have noticed that I am getting pretty large welts ....gosh are they ugly! They also begin to itch a few days later! Will this ever stop? Am I not doing something right?

I also swear I'm gaining water weight...have a new "puffiness" I can't explain!

[Kimba22]

When I was on Copaxone, the welts and itching started subsiding around month 4. Not that I never still got them, but that was when they finally started happening less frequently. I can remember having a huge welt on my arm and showing my MS Specialist (I have a history of med allergies/ adverse reactions), and he simply said it should start to improve after 4 months.

Hopefully, the same holds true for you. Good luck!

[ElliotB]

Large welts are an indication that your injection depth is probably not deep enough. Contact your nurse for assistance.

[Cat Mom]

I hope other Members will post some tips, this is my way of doing the shot to minimize skin reactions:

- I sterilize with anti-bacterial baby bum wipes vs. alcahol swabs

- Pinch (big pinch) the area you are to inject into

- I manually inject but that's a personal choice, the auto-inject and I aren't good friends

- as soon as the needle comes out, press down on that bump with your finger for approx 30 seconds, you will feel the bump disappearing

- ice for a minute or so

- apply Benadryl cream (or any anti-itch cream)

I have been on C for over 6 years and have no permanent welts or bumps. I'm 5' 8" 125 lb so not a lot of fat to inject into. I hope you find a method that's good for you, this med has been good to me, haven't had a steroid-worthy flare since Jan 2009.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Jen

[Gsd mom]

Thanks for the replies! I did call Shared Solutions and they pretty much said the same thing. I did self inject tonight...we'll see what it looks like tomorrow....I hope things settle down at the 4 month mark....these bumps are horrible looking!

[kelm10]

some more information

There is suggestions from other copaxone users here and other websites that suggest that if you are having the welts that some of the medication is leaking out of the injection site into the tissue that is close to the skin.

Hence why the previous poster suggested pressing down on the skin after pulling needle out.

Some have also suggested that holding the needle in for the count of 10 after you have injected the medication in.

Good luck.

[hmarie47]

This all makes sense. I get the nastiest welts when I inject places I can't press on right after easily or control the depth well or where I have to go in on an angle because no fat....so basically most places.... I hope the four month thing holds true. Not that itchy bruises is the worst thing ever, but ugh.

[agate]

It was at about 4 months that I noticed that the welts and itching and burning were less of a problem.

On Copaxone for 3 years, I never stopped having some problems with the arms though. Not so much itching or burning but welts.

[Selsia]

I had welts and itching for a few months as well. I also had the lumps that I have heard so many others comment on. My technique based on calling Shared Solutions and reading a bunch of responses:

1 - I went down to the 4 setting on the auto inject for all cites. I wear like a Small or Medium.
2 - I am very strict about site rotation and I try to always move to a further area.
3 - After the injection, I press a cotton ball on it lightly for a few seconds or longer if I am bleeding. I was told by the nurse that the bruising can happen when it bleeds a little and this really helped.
4 - Then I rub a little neosporin on it which helps with the immediate pain.

With my legs, although they were the worst at first, now I rely on them because there is just so much more space. It took practice finding the right spots and I stick to the upper half of my thigh. I'm running out of space on my arms (because I've started to get depressions in the fat after 2 years or so).

Over time the injection sites get way better and you also get much more used to it, both having a sore spot and knowing where to shoot.

[Unie]

ease injection site reaction

Hi I have used Copaxone for about 1 year. I have found that if I use the injector I have really bad lumps and itching. So I manually inject now soooooooooooo much better.

[agate]

Unie and others, now that Teva has announced that Copaxone will be available in a new 3-times-a-week form, maybe opting for that dosage instead of the daily shot will help to cut down on the site reactions.

At least you won't have to get out the injection materials every day and do the shot day in and day out.

But some people would prefer to stay with the daily dose, for a variety of reasons.

[Ikaika]

I've found these also help:

Apply ice for about 10-15 min immed after injection (hassle I know, but it does help)

Make sure the syringes are at room temperature when you inject. The cold medicine tends to create more of an irritant.

With the cap ON, rub the syringe between the palms of your hands for about fifteen seconds to warm it up, then inject. I've noticed a difference.

In my experience, itching and welts subside, and I say thank you out loud with every single injection! while that needle is in and afterwards, and I have a good tolerance with none to little issue. (I know we all have different reactions to meds for sure).

Emit the thank you cells!

[DianeD]

I'm over the 3 yr. mark now.

I've been injecting for over 3 years. I find the arms are just out. The lumps are huge, the itching and soreness is awful. I self inject so its not too shallow; I go all the way in to full needle depth. I've used the autoject too, set at 4, but no matter the depth I get the skin reaction; ice doesn't help.

My legs are the best area as long as I am careful and don't get a veiny spot. I do the stomach now and then.

Hope I don't run out of spots to inject.

Diane

[DianeD]

Manually inject

Large welts are an indication that your injection depth is probably not deep enough. Contact your nurse for assistance.

I have the same problem and I've done the injection both ways. No difference.

I'm not afraid of needles, but my skin is getting bruised, discolored and scarred. I personally don't think the nurse can help. I've been injecting for 4 yrs. It might just be impossible to keep doing it.

As to the nurse, aside from looking at the sites what can they do. I read the directions and also had my training by a nurse. He was amazed at the swelling from my first autoject. It never changes. I've been manually injecting for the past two yrs.

I don't get site itching, just pain, swelling and skin appearance. I don't think I can tolerate the Manitol. I'm convinced it is Mannitol which is the culprit for most people that have reactions. Mannitol has a pretty bad reputation. It was once used heavily in sugar free items. You don't see it much anymore. I don't know why they chose Mannitol to begin with.

There are many online sites which list the adverse side effects of Mannitol. It's not very good.

Diane