I take Copaxon 3xs a wk. Both Monday and Wednesday l jerked as giving myself the shot. As in l didn't give it.π It's completely involuntary and lm hoping it's stress related but any tips would help. I do all injection sites, and use the injector.
Also, what would be my next choices? And side effects?
Jesπ
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Jesmcd2
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Jesmcd2 I know what you mean. My husband gave me my Copaxone shots, and I would often jerk. I thought it was spasticity. He was able to keep it going though. When I had to give myself a shot, I could ony do my belly or my thigh. Half the time, I pulled it out too soon and the would squirt all over. Wasted.
I went on Gilenya next as the neruo said this was the most affective oral drug. He also like Aubagio, saying it is well tolerated and no cases of PML. However, I've read one side affect is hair loss.
When I was 1st dx I started on Avonex once a week & it's intermuscular so the needle was bigger bc it had to go deeper. Eventually I began to involuntarily tighten my muscle. They suggested icing the area for 5 min priot to the shot & it solved it!!! Bc of the numbing I stopped having the response. I hope it'llhelp you too!
I take Aubagio and lost hair initially, but once I got past the first hair growth "series" I didn't lose hair anymore. THANK GOODNESS! I have had my hair cut short in a pixie style so hair loss isn't that noticeable, but I no longer color my hair and have more white now. Actually looks better considering almost all the women in my family have white hair now.
Jesmcd2, it's Fancy1959. Since I've never been on Copaxon I am at a lost of how to help you.π But I liked Greaterexp idea about having someone else administrator the shots for you. Do you think your boyfriend is up to the task? My husband all but passed out when they put an I.V. in his arm for his Colonoscopy 2 weeks ago.
My rebif shots are definitely a family affair. Either my husband or son helps. I rarely have a problem but occasionally it hurts so badly I jerk away. So having help solves the problem and keeps me from backing out nights I really am not in the mood for a shot. Going on 12 years now. Pills would be nice but I'm pretty stable and worry about the side effects of the newer drugs. I have almost zero side effects with rebif.
I like to kind of meditate before I inject. I've been on Copaxone for nearly 10 years now, and I find that if I sit and count my breaths 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4 for a minute, I RELAX. When I was dx, the only available treatment was Betaseron which I waited 6 months to get as production was just beginning (1994) Yep, I'm really old school fighting the MonSter 30+ years. I really believe that early treatment and sticking with it has made an enormous difference in my disease progression.
Yep, I'm a walking pin cushion, but at least with Copaxone, I no longer get open sores at shot spots like I did with Betaseron (over 8 years until a shot ate the tissue under my skin requiring surgical clean out) Try to find a way to stick with it! After all these years, I'm still walking and living independently which is EVERYTHING TO ME...
I took Copaxone every day for years with there auto injector, it felt like the auto injector was throwing darts into me. Now I have changed to Glatopa (generic Copaxone) and there auto injector has a smooth slow injection that feels just like the best injection from a good nurse.
Hi ya normwithms that's major problem, the Copaxon injector is horrible! They say to push the button up. but mine is extremely difficult to do! You would think as much money as they make, they would make an easier one!
pmbevac Hey l do have new one! Duh on me! I forgot!! π I'm one of those ppl that has to have backup.ππ I will have to give it a try! Thanks for the reminder!
I have been on Capoxone for 3 weeks now, end never jerk away. The auto injecter is so big, I hardly feel the needle going in, and don't feel it while counting the 10 seconds. My problem is the terrible buring that happens after a wait of about 5 minutes, then POW, its like a poker iron hit me and the nurse said wait 30 minutes for cold pack or the med won;t be distribuled. I find if I walk around, it burns so much worst. So heat compress before for 30 minutes, then the shot for 10 seconds, 1 minute of ice pack, lie down, wait 30 minutes (while screaming into my pillow) then blessed relief with my ice pack! The auto injector is so big, though, I truly don't feel the actual needle, set on 6, avoid arms totally! Hope it works for you; it is all I I can take; all the oral pills are too strong for my weak immune system. Every time I take the shot, I just say, "Take that you old stupid myelin!"
I'm starting my 3rd week on Copaxone as well. Never feel the needle but the sting/burn afterwards is an adventure. Sometimes it is fairly minor but others I feel like I got stung by a wasp.
Thank you all for your helpful hints!!!!! π I DID inject my thigh!βΊ So l know l can at least do them. But it's that ciick, on the auto injector that'sβ getting to me.π
I am on the. 3xweek Copaxone. It could have been a miscellaneous incident or stress from injecting yourself. You could change the depth of the injection, so it will minimize sting or other side effects. So when you hear the click, their less anxiety. I would cringe every time I heard the click, anticipating that horrible sting or a lump. So I changed he setting. Or like othes stated, let someone else give you the injection or try the generic that has a better auto injector. Sometimes I just get tired of taking it for so long. I definitely cannot inject when I am tired. Better after taking a shower, skin is soft.
Thank you Hidden l did go a bit deeper in my hip yesterday, in my hip. I have to say it's that gaw awful anticipation of the click that's getting to me. π But l did it! Dumb thing is NOT going to BEAT ME! This is MY HEALTH! And l will do what l have to to take care of it!βΊ
Thanks for the advice!π
Jesπ
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Believe this or not, can you semi practice on an orange.Medical profession does this as they get jumpy also...helps some.So I guess its a destressor for when you give yourself a shot or check glucose.
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