Copaxone screw up

[Tulip77]

I’m pretty sure I injected my copaxone into my thigh muscle on accident. I am in so much pain. The burn is spreading across my thigh like tree branches. It’s almost unbearable. I called shared solutions but they are gone for the day. I have an ice pack on it. How long is this going to last?

[jimeka]

Can you not ring a doctor or someone at ER? Praying the pain goes away, let us know how you get on please 🤗

[Tulip77 in reply to jimeka]

I’m told the pain is normal and that I just have to ride it out 😕

[jimeka in reply to Tulip77]

I am so sorry that you have had to train yourself how to inject, total negligence on your medical support. Plenty of ice packs 🤗

[Lilith08]

Do you have a local Copaxone nurse?

[Tulip77 in reply to Lilith08]

I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago and am 2 weeks into this medication. Shared solutions did not send a nurse in person due to Covid. I’ve talked to them on the phone a few times but I don’t think there is a specific nurse assigned to me.

[Lilith08 in reply to Tulip77]

Oh, that's unfortunate Other than hitting your muscle, how are the shots going?

[Tulip77 in reply to Lilith08]

Other than today, I’ve been doing ok. I’ve been doing them manually (I tried the autoject and it didn’t work-probably user error lol). I injected my other thigh Friday and it was fine. I just messed up big time tonight!

[Lilith08 in reply to Tulip77]

Honestly, I didn't like the autoject. I found it too forceful and preferred being able to control the speed manually. I also used to welt up pretty quickly, so it helped a bit to slow down the injection.

[Lilith08 in reply to Tulip77]

Do try to get hold of Shared Solutions tomorrow, though, and let them know what's going on. I imagine they should have some tips on how to avoid hitting muscle again. And maybe see if they can arrange an in-person training sometime? I'm super careful with Covid, but there are some things that you just have to do in person if at all possible, in my humble opinion! Good luck with everything.

[Lilith08]

Tulip77 I used Copaxone for a while but never hit a muscle. A Google search led me to a couple sites where people reported an intense pain, some saying it lasted days. Here's one response: "I was on Avonex and it didn't hurt to go into the muscle but now that I am on Rebif and I hit a muscle -- OUCH! I asked the pharmacist about it and he gave me an explanation. He told me that Rebif is made a different way and that it will hurt when it goes into the muscle whereas Avonex won't because of its composition. Anyway, that was what I was told. And it was true for me. It really hurt when I hit the muscle in my arm with Rebif. Wow. It lasted about a week. That auto injector doesn't always work as directed." (Source: dailystrength.org/group/mul...

I hope yours doesn't last too long!

[Tulip77 in reply to Lilith08]

Thank you!

[kdali]

I’m sorry, I don’t remember how long it lasts, but I do remember the fire.

[greaterexp]

I hit a muscle in my arm once and had a nasty local reaction. It lasted less than 24 hours. I took some Tylenol, 25 mg of Benadryl, and applied ice packs. I find I always do better when I inject as I was taught years ago as a nurse for subcutaneous injections. I’m mostly thin, so I have to pinch up the fat layer and inject at a slight angle. I use the Autoject at times, but have to be very careful to check the level. I just don’t use my arms anymore.

I’m so sorry you’ve had this problem. Do you happen to know any nurses who would be willing to show you how to inject manually? Perhaps at your PCP’s office?

[RoyceNewton]

You are going to be okay, this is just a mistake you will not do it again, it hurts but YOU will be okay, have You looked for a youtube demo?

[agapepilgrim]

Probably a day or two but OUCH!!!

[Tulip77]

I called shared solutions today and talked to one of the nurses. She was so nice. She talked to me for almost an hour. I didn’t even know about the stuff (started pack) that they are supposed to send me. She is doing all of that. Anyways she gave me some great and helpful ideas. My thigh is VERY sore, but I’ll live and hopefully won’t ever make that mistake again!!

[Lilith08 in reply to Tulip77]

I’m so glad to hear that!

[HensTooth]

It won’t last forever, so it’s alright. These things will happen. I remember when a copaxone shot did NOT go wrong, I’d be soooo happy! Like woo hoo! Major victory! That’s attitude training for you! 😅