Starting my first shot tmo

[CaliforniaMum]

A Shared Solutions nurse is coming over tomorrow to show me how to take my first shot of Copaxone.
Any tips, advice, warnings, for me????

I was thinking about just marking my whole body up with black magic marker. And when she asks why I am like this...I was just going to tell her "Why you are giving me botox injections right?" "I thought I would make it easier for ya to hit all the right spots?"

[twopack]

I have the Copaxone in the 'frig but my PCP has asked me to wait until next week to start it.  I had a cardiac issue show up on a stress test today and she wants me to see a cardiologist Monday before I do anything with a new medication.  I'll join up with  you all later.

Mary

[CaliforniaMum]

Ok, it wasnt that bad. Didnt feel the injection go in at all in my arm. But afterwards..........oh man.....the frickin' bee sting crap burns! And the huge welt on my arm . The nurse said it will probably go down in a day or 2. I am soo sick to my stomach. I kinda knew that would happen since I am sooo sensitive to any kind of medicine. We tried the warm compress before injection, which I couldnt tell any difference one way or the other. About 15mins later, I used an ice pack since it was burning and swelling so much. Now its much better. I can't believe I will be doing this everyday.
Thanx for all your support on here.

[MsmsinFl]

Funny-- my belly & butt shots are the LEAST painful!  

I don't use my arms at all, and use (but hate it) my thighs -- for me, high & towards the outside of the thigh works best...
For my belly, I stay below the belly button, finding the fattest spot, and for my butt, it's really more towards my back hip ("love handles") -- never in the part I sit on.

One thing I know:  use the fattiest spot (I have almost no fat), and be selective even then -- avoid stretch marks & places where you can see a blue vein near the surface.

And because I have very little fat, I use a pretty shallow needle.

Clearly, we're all different, and find our way by trial & error.

Don't give up -- in time you'll find the right way to go.

[raekay35]

If its any consulation, I started on Copaxone last week, I've made it through a full week.  I didn't have anyone show me how to give myself the shots or any of that, other then reading all the material.  I am a nurse so was a little easier to understand it all.  It is still weird for me to know that I am sticking a needle into my own body.  The biggest thing for me is the discomfort of the actual medication.  I give myself my shot right after I get out of the shower and have found that the stomach area is the worst!!!  I am going to stay away from the stomach if I can help it.  You will probably have quite a bit of stinging, reddness, and swelling at the injection site and you will more than likely feel the urge to rub or scratch it, DON'T!!! leave it be.  I actually used a dry heating pad last night after the injection and it really helped alot.  Good luck and know that there are many of us who have been right where you are and will do whatever it takes to encourage you to continue on with your treatment.  Ask questions!!! Good luck and happy sticking!!!
Rachel

[Jason732]

I'm supposed to be starting Copaxone any time now, but I haven't heard back from the Shared Solutions people regarding when. I'm terrified of doing my own injections. Even though I'm not sure when I'm going to start, I'd love to offer you my support and encouragement. I know it's worth it in the long run and it's a way for us to take control over our disease to a certain degree. Good luck!

[Lulu54]

CM - That reality check can be tough.  I know my big moment came when I was expecting some swim goggles to arrive in the mail, and the box came.  I was so excited but when I opened it my mood plunged - it was my autoinjector.  That was the moment that it hit me that  this is for real.

Everyone struggling with the copax reactions - yes, it hurts (hornet sting to me!) but that pain usually subsides.  It takes a while for your body to get used to this foreign substance.  Eventually, it stops being a painful experience and becomes part of the daily routine.

Incentives are a great idea - mine was ice cream.  I was allowed to have ice cream after my shot.  It put about 10 pounds on me before I could stop bribing myself! LOL

Seriously, the sooner you accept this as part of your routine, the better it will be.  Think of all the diabetics in the world who do this daily ..........

my best,
Lulu

[CaliforniaMum]

Thank you everyone for your advice & comments.
I will take any "takers" who want to buddy up with me on this new journey.
You are right, I wanted this med for some time now and when it was finally in my frig, it hit me that I really do have MS.

I will update as soon as I do my first shot today......
thanx!

[MsmsinFl]

ooops-- I meant warm the washcloths in the micro, NOT the heating pad!

[MsmsinFl]

Many find using heat on the site both before & after is helpful -- with heat,  the Copax doesn't get "stuck" in the tissues, but spreads more effectively.

I use either a heating pad or warm damp washcloths to warm the site (warm them in the microwave);  heating pad (on low) can also warm the Cpax shot before injecting.

Benadryl taken before the shot can help with itching, etc;  you can use creams like Aloe, witch hazel (Tucs pads), or benadryl cream on the site, but you need to wait a day after the shot before using a cream on it.

With most of the injectables, the shots & SFX get better after a couple of months, so don't give up!

[HVAC]

Most of the reaction to the shots is not fear of the shots but that this is real. It is a breaking of the denial, I really have MS. Many of us have walked this path before you. The visceral reaction to this disease.

It is going to be okay. You might want to pair up with someone who starts Copaxone at the same time as you and leave private e-mail under send a message. This can help each of you encourage the other. It might lead to a great friendship.

You will feel you are not alone. Yes the first time you do it is not easy but it can become routine.

Alex

[twopack]

........and most importantly stick with it!!

Now there's some advice I'll remember.  LOL  Thanks for the encouragement.

Mary

[LoveMyBostons]

Good luck you guys! I just gave myself my 100th shot last night and there have been days when I've wanted to quit. But I try to focus on the long-term benefit and not the short-term discomfort.

Some tips I can offer:

warm the area for a couple of minutes before the shot,

ice the area afterward,

play with the needle depth until you find what works for each spot (the nurse will give you a starting point but you may ned to tweak it),

do rotate sites like they tell you to,

and most importantly stick with it!!

Believe it or not, it will totally become normal and just another part of your daily routine. I find that rewards come in handy when I need a little extra motivation :)

[twopack]

I'll be right there with you Californiamum.  I expect the pharmacy to get my Copaxone in tomorrow and I'll pick it up when I'm finished with a stress test in the afternoon.  Seems I'll be stressed at least twice tomorrow.  Good luck SS sister.

Mary

[bettycolon]

so ive send my paper work to shared solutions..n it is starting to hit me dat i have ms...its crazy i feel super tired and as much as i want to say i feel normal i really dnt i feel like im a different person but not a bad way.... has anyone felt like dat wen they find out dat u have a ms...

[Lulu54]

Just be prepared to sit through a presentation that is entirely scripted.  They have to follow the script... period.  

If you search the community here you will find tons of posts on copaxone and injections .   I really have to get some sleep for work tomorrow, so pardon my brevity here.

Remember that this is fairly easy to do, being compliant with your shots is the best thing you can do to help slow or control your MS. and the copax will probably cause some  site reactions for a while but eventually that discomfort does go away.  

Good luck and drop us a note tomorrow on how it goes.

be well,
Lulu

PS I love the magic marker idea - wouldn't that get the nurse going?