Did I hit a blood vessel? Ouch!

[Jessie B]

This is my first post here ever! I've been self injecting copaxone for just one week and doing fine but last night for the first time 1. The needle hurt going in 2.I started bleeding when I took the needle out and 3.It hurt for the rest of the night and I woke up with a big ugly bruise

[jreagan70]

Hi Jessie:

Yep, it sounds like you hit a blood vessel. I did that myself a couple of times. It might seem like it's taking forever, but the bruise should clear up on its own. In the meantime, try not to inject anywhere around it until it does.

[artteacher]

Yeah, that is probably what you did. When the training nurse came and I did my first shot I bled quite a bit. I have spider veins in my thighs and she just said to avoid those areas. There is no harm to you, other than the pain, blood, and bruise.

Hope you can avoid this as it is not fun.