Copaxone self injecting...MY WAY!!!

[bbchompers]

I can't tell you how thankful I was when I found this video. I hated that auto inject. Luckily, I work for an internist and he showed me how to inject myself without it. We were both baffled has to why copaxone tells you not to take out the air bubble. But it helps when you do! Not to mention the viscosity of copaxone is kind of thick. Syringe bevel up at an angle glides nicely into pinched skin. Inject slowly and it alleviates some of the discomfort. I also prefer to ice it afterwards.

[otakop67]

Regarding the fatigue, have you discussed Amantadine 100MG with your neurologist? I know someone who has MS, is taking Avonex and was getting hit VERY hard with fatigue especially in the early to mid afternoon. The Amantadine made a night and day difference with him with the very first dose (it also helped with muscle control in his legs). It might be worth your while to ask, if you haven't already considering the age of the video. Take care and god bless.

[vote4mikesummers]

@otakop67 I haven't spoke to my doctor about it yet. I am also diabetic and recently had a heart attack. Every day I take so many pills, I feel like a maraca.

[laudiumWP]

Im scared of that thing. I would rather inject myself without the auto-injector....Maybe the liquid is being injected too fast?!?!

[vote4mikesummers]

@laudiumWP Don't you worry about the autoinjector. It doesn't go in very far. And you won't get the pain. You can also do it your self.

You will need to set the depth depending on what sites you choose. If you get little welts like mosquito bites, set the depth a little deeper.

DO NOT GO TOO DEEP!! I manually injected an ab muscle on my first injection. THAT was unpleasant. I am hovering around 5 and going to 6 on the belly. Every once in a while when I shoot, I will hit a vein.

[vote4mikesummers]

@laudiumWP Don't worry. That's normal.

I find the autoinjector works really good. And I have been using it for a long time.

[policefan1982]

I notice when I invert the syringe, sometimes the C flows easily back and forth in syringe, sometimes not.  I know from working in a hospital, it was a good idea to pull empty syringe plunger back and forth before filling it - liquid would flow easier. I did not know how to load with cap off, so thank you.

one question - I thought abdomen injection was below the waist. looks like you are above the waist. Does it matter?

[vote4mikesummers]

@policefan1982 As long as you stay 2 inches away from the belly button you are fine. As you can tell, I have a big belly. More possible injection sites the nurse told me.

You can use the back of the arm and thighs too. I try not to repeat injections in the same areas.

I use a 1-2-3-4 rotation system. 1 is the right side. I inject to the limbs each day for five days. 2 is right gut. I can do all five there. 3 left gut and 4 left side. That also includes hips too.

[vote4mikesummers]

@vote4mikesummers I do right arm, right leg, right hip, right arm and right leg for example. Then pick the belly five times, same deal the left belly and finally 4 will rotate back and forth on arms and leg.

Hope that helps.

[Jessecraft1954]

Thanks for sharing!

[equusential]

Hmmm, I'm gonna try your bubble tip! Haven't thought of that yet! Thanks bunches! ;)

[jamielynnp24]

I have been fiddling with the depth. I have found that in some areas a 6 is okay. In my arms, I have to adjust it to an 8. I have found that removing the air bubble makes A BIG DIFFERENCE (for me anyway). It makes injecting myself daily less painful. Just to add...for anyone reading this that is nervous about injecting themselves daily, it will be okay. I was really scared at first, but once you do it for a week or so, it becomes second nature.

[jamielynnp24]

I just wanted to follow up. I started my injection last night. The nurse from Shared Solutions came. I didn't remove the air bubble last night b/c she was there. I asked her about it and she pretty much shouted at me "OH NO YOU MUST NOT DO THAT!" (When I asked her why she really couldn't give me an answer.) Anyway, in my opinion the Copaxone burned more than Rebif and also burned in a different sort of way. I didn't remove the air bubble today either b/c I forgot. I will be tomorrow though.

[vote4mikesummers]

@jamielynnp24 And she can't give you a satisfactory answer either. You will prove it to yourself when you get that cursed bubble out, you will notice no pain. Are you using an injector? Hold it there for a few seconds before firing it. Also, for time to time I hit right on a nerve, and that still hurts.

But, I spoke to the Shared Solutions (copaxone) nurse and she never said anything about not getting the bubble out.

I'm not a professional, but I am not stupid. 1 1/2 years no problems.

[jamielynnp24]

@vote4mikesummers I am using the injector as I don't have the nerve to do it without. The nurse also told me that it isn't a good idea to put a cold pack on the area before injecting rather I should put a warm compress on it. I always put something cold on the area with Rebif b/c it numbed the area so I couldn't feel the needle. I don't understand why she told me I couldn't b/c that is what someone at MS Lifelines recommended when I was on Rebif. Oh well, I did it anyway.

[nikkacostia]

@vote4mikesummers i'm a nurse and whenever i have had togive disease modifying drugs to my patients , of course w/o the autoinjector, I remove the air bubble.I can think of no valid reason to keep an air bubble. how this helps, it's standard injection practice if you check anywhere.

thanks for helping others mike

[vote4mikesummers]

@jamielynnp24 Time fly when you are having fun. 2 1/2 years I have been doing this. NOT A PROBLEM.

If you get that 'mosquito bite' lump when you inject, set your depth a little deeper and you should get it.

[jamielynnp24]

@jamielynnp24 Thanks for the tip b/c I got the lump on my arm today.

[vote4mikesummers]

@jamielynnp24 You will have to fiddle with it to find the right depth, but you will get it. I don't compress anymore. I don't need to. I occasionally hit something and it hurts. My biggest problem is when doing my legs, I get itchy. No pain, but subsurface itching.

Copaxone is so gentle, you don't notice.

I was told to watch out for 6 to 9 months on copaxone, you "MAY" experience some chest discomfort resembling heart attack. I didn't, and not many do, but you can contact the ER in case

[jamielynnp24]

Right after I posted the previous comment and mentioned "why does taking the air bubbles out matter?" I remembered what the nurse told me when she came to show me how to inject the Rebif. (of course I forgot I knew the answer to this... I have MS and can't remember a darn thing lol). Anyway, she told me that the air bubble is there to dispense the medication into your system and if it is removed it may affect the way it is dispersed. Regardless, I still remove the air bubble.

[vote4mikesummers]

@jamielynnp24 Hogwash... That little bubble is for the factory to fill them. Why is it that ONLY Copaxone would use the bubble that way? Every nurse knows you clear the bubble before administering any injectable med.

What I know is that little bubble HURTS. I still sometimes get a pain when I land on a nerve or something, but not like I did.

[jamielynnp24]

@vote4mikesummers I am not speaking for the air bubble in Copaxone b/c I haven't started it yet. I am not disagreeing with you, I just remember what the nurse told me when I started Rebif. Like I said yesterday, I still take the air bubble out anyway and intend to do it with the Copaxone. As long as the medication is being injected into the body, I don't think it really matters.

[vote4mikesummers]

@jamielynnp24 Agreed. It's all about the medicine getting in with the least amount of discomfort. (I reacted badly to Rebif)

[jamielynnp24]

I am on Rebif currently (but soon to be switched to Copaxone). I do the same thing you do with the air bubble and also taking the cap off when I insert it into the injector (b/c I lost the little thingy that takes it off). I have read that you aren't supposed to take the air bubble out...but I am not sure why? I found that with the Rebif, taking the air bubble out makes it burn less and I plan to do it with the Copaxone too.

[Sadistica]

Amazing! I just testedd it on my belly. No air bubble - no pain :)

Thank you!

[vote4mikesummers]

@Sadistica How nice is that? I use tissue to wipe the needle before I drop it into the injector. This results in even less pain. Thanks

[Sadistica]

@vote4mikesummers ...unless you hit the vein haha! I have painted X-marks and patterns on my belly, and I think it looks great LOL!

[vote4mikesummers]

@Sadistica The grid pattern on the belly I haven't tried. I do have 4 sites that I rotate through. Abdomen has two and each leg. I rotate around each injection site for the 5 days of the flat. This working for me.

1. right ab for 5 days then 2. right leg for 5 days and so on through the rotation.

[Sadistica]

@vote4mikesummers LEGS! :( ouch! I suffered from pain doing copaxone in my arm, it did hurt for 3 days and I couldn't move my arm at all, haha! So I do my belly and hips only (5 months now). I hope they will come up with copaxone pills soon ;)

[burntsienna1]

Thank you so much for posting this! I saw it before starting on Copaxone on Mon. and I didn't do it until tonight. Tonight was definitely better. Everyone I asked about it before hand said "no don't take the air bubble out" but when I'd ask them "why?" all they could tell me was that that was what their nurse told them, or that it hadn't been tested. And that just isn't a good enough answer for me, it simply doesn't make sense. It's all about what works for you, anyway, when it comes to MS!

[vote4mikesummers]

The only thing I changed was to wipe the residue from the needle before injecting. Takes the pain away nearly completely. Also, you need to set the depth. If it leaves a little bump like a mosquito bite on you, set the depth a little lower. As an example if you have it at 5 and it leaves the bump... Set it for 6. You will find the best spot for you.

[AtifAtifAtifAtifAtif]

I have MS and I used to take the Interferon injections... BUT now iv descovered the power of LDN!!!!!!

LIFE IS SOO MUCH BETTER NOW!! I RECOMEND AVERYONE WITH MS TO START LDN!!

It brings normality back into ur life again... no more TIREDNESS!! NO MOPRE PAIN!!

LIFES GREAT ON LDN!!

:-)

[burntsienna1]

@AtifAtifAtifAtifAtif one size does not fit all. I took LDN for a few weeks (despite my Dr. disagreeing with me about it) and had to stop because I developed such bad stomach cramps. Each treatment affects each MSer differently. Glad it's working for you!

[derby1251]

Thank you. Great tip.

[SAWISFAMILY4EVER]

Hi Mike, I was diagnosed with RRMS not too long ago. I am a 25 year old mother of two, and I start treatment on October 1st. I was very careful choosing a treatment option and ended up deciding on Copaxone. I am thankful that there are people out there like you, who share these techniques. Thank You very much and I hope you are doing well :)

[AdrienneAce]

Your video came up while I searched for 'injecting into the arm' techniques. I take Rebif.

I'm curious as to why you pull extra air into the syringe? Why not just flick the syringe with your finger to get the air bubble to the top and then push out the bubble? Seems to me that the Copaxone would no longer be sterile once you pull the air in. Just a thought.

Best of luck to you.

[vote4mikesummers]

Apparently the reason for drawing more in is that sometimes the plunger sticks and rather than have a sudden release which blows medicine out, the draw back releases a sticky plunger and allows for a smooth delivery of the meds. That is how I was shown when I was on Rebif. And it works too!

[fiddleyfingers]

mike i done it your way the other day, but the needle broke, i got some fright! has that ever happened to you?

[vote4mikesummers]

How the hell did you manage to break the needle???? What were you doing???

No. I have NEVER had this happen to me. NEVER EVER!! I have bent my needle slightly ONCE. But you were just abusive to it. I have never heard of this. You call yourself fiddleyfingers. If they are that fiddly, then you shouldn't be doing this. Lucky for you the pill will be out soon.

[kusemf]

thanks mike, i just came on youtube specifically to find a way of avoiding the burn sensation, and hope this works! will try this tomorrow. Did anyone tell you to do this or did you discover it yourself, ie is it safe?

[vote4mikesummers]

I learned to do it myself. After injecting a branding iron into myself the first couple times, I began doing the same things I did with Rebif. It immediately reduced site pain. Then when I scrubbed the needle itself, I reduced it more. Now, I ocassionally hit a nerve when injecting. THAT still hurts. But not for a long long time just the same.

[bobp18436572]

Mike, you are exactly right--removing the air from the syringe reduced the pain and swelling with my injections. I had read about doing this a while back but didn't try it until seeing your video--thanks a lot!

[vote4mikesummers]

Thanks for your comment. I was feeling like I was standing alone with some of the responses I have had to this.

I don't like pain. The bubble was giving me lots, and the bubble has no medicianal value. It's gone. Thanks

[nighthunt3r]

i live in mexico and i use copaxone with the auto inject 2 and it's awesome.!

i don't even feel nothing at all, non even the needle...!

but i do not push out the pin bubble,may it be you'r using the depth, check the input level of the needle and make sure you're not injecting on a muscle. =)

p.s (this is for sure) use the plant ("THE PLANT") "not products in bottles" ALOE VERA when u have sensory symptoms, it takes them away.! i eat it and i aplly directly on my skin, and works as miracle!

[vote4mikesummers]

I like Aloe, but it doesn't grow well here in northern BC. We have winter and lots of it. Aloe likes a different climate.

So, I do the things I can and KNOW work for me. This works. Especially if you wipe the needle down AFTER pushing the air out.

[LambOfGod52]

u can die if u get too much air injected into u =/

[vote4mikesummers]

Yes you can. But in all fairness, the bit of air in these, isn't enough to do the job. However, it would make you very uncomfortable in the process.

Copaxone isn't shot into a vein or artery. It goes in under the skin where the body absorbs it. So you won't die from the bubble. I'm just a whimp when it comes to pain...

[LambOfGod52]

hahah well well ur more brave than me i hate needles

[vote4mikesummers]

It's not that bad. The auto injector regulates the depth and dumping the bubble and wiping the actual needle clean means I rarely ever get any burn or pain.

[martyswild]

nice tip.

i find the worst part of the needle is when it brakes the skin, left thigh and arm days are the worst for me.

[rcner]

where do you inject your self? I hate needles/ I had a similiar disease to MS called transverse myelitis/if you would like totalk email me back/are all the injections in your belly?

[vote4mikesummers]

No. I rotate every 5 days.

1 is right abdomen lower. I have fat there.

2 is right thigh or right love handle

3 is left thigh or love handle.

4 is left abdomen

[drodga]

I do this daily too and have never had a problem with the air bubble OR burning from the injection. I can tell you that it's easier than Avonex (subcutaneous vs inter-muscular) with less side-effects but it's a shame it's a daily medicine. At least Avonex was weekly so you do it and can forget about it for ages!

[vote4mikesummers]

Well Harry, you did something wrong. I have on occassion hit a nerve, but 99% of the time I don't even feel the injection. Did you take a moment to wipe the actual needle with a clean dry tissue before loading it into the injector? Depth right?

[gdjh93]

u sound exactly like seth rogen!

[vote4mikesummers]

Now if only I had some idea of what you are talking about...

[ryanstavaruk]

isn' it common sense to remove the air from the syringe? i mean.. whenever you see a movie where someone uses one.. you always see them push the air out firs... i don't see the need for this video

[vote4mikesummers]

Well now, you would think it was common sense. But when they started me on Copaxone, they said to simply drop the syringe as is into the injector aim and fire. They said the bubble won't harm you. May not harm you but it and the residue on the needle burn like a bugger. And if you look at some of the comments, they were not told this either. So this is why I did the video. If you are brighter than the rest of us, bully for you. I'm sharing with people like me then.

[lizlol]

Well, I tried it and it certainly reduced the amount of burning! :)

[vote4mikesummers]

I'm glad that it worked for you too. It amazes me that people want to argue against it in favour of retaining the pain. That's fine too. I am sharing what works for me. I'm not doing the bubble and have far less pain.

You not getting the bubble burn reinforces the technique.

[lizlol]

Well I'm certainly glad you shared this! I've always been told not to bother with drawing back before injecting, and certainly no one has ever told me that it decreases the amount of burning that we get from Copaxone!

[vote4mikesummers]

And I am at a loss to understand why too!

[lizlol]

Wow, I get REALLY bad burning too! I started injecting manually and that helped a little too.. but I will be definitely be trying this tomorrow!

& I agreee with you.. MS does suck.

I've just turned 17 and I was diagnosed a few weeks after I turned 16. I'm waiting for Tysabri!

[vote4mikesummers]

At 17 and being severe enough to warrant having these meds already, I can only pray this will be well with you.

I don't know anything about Tysabri. I hope it helps you.

Copaxone which I take is expected to be available in a pill hopefully this year. It would be nice to not have to inject at all.

[lizlol]

Thanks heaps :)

Yeah, I was on Rebif but I was getting too many side affects with that. I've had 4 nasty relapses whilst being on Copaxone which were all in the last 6 months. Thinking about changing treatments again, Tysabri is the 'wonder drug' supposedly. A monthly infusion :)

Good luck with everything, hope you're feeling okay.

[esalmons]

NURSE: "With regard to wiping the needle, that is a very dangerous practice as there is always a risk of introducing bacteria. The needle is sterile, but once it is touched there is no guarantee that it remains sterile and you would be at risk for infection. We usually recommend that after the syringe has been put into the autoinjector in an upright position, you give it a tap to dislodge any Copaxone and wait a few seconds for it to dry."

[vote4mikesummers]

Yup. That's the butt covering disclaimer. I have been doing this for a year without any complications beyond occaissionally slightly bending the needle or hitting a bigger vein. The first hurts because the needle is effectively going in crooked, and the other bleeds when you pull the needle out.

The needle is so small that the couple drops that come out amount to nothing measurable. The air hurts. So does the residue on the needle. I'll do it my way thank you. It's working for me.

[esalmons]

Clearly the bigger issue here is - can messing with the needle lead to infection. It's a big question. I don't use the alcohol wipes either (I'm clean enough thank you) but the risk of infection (which you noted yourself) makes it worth thinking about a bit more.

[vote4mikesummers]

I also use a fresh clean tissue and don't wipe with the edges.

[esalmons]

NURSE: "It is not recommended to expel the air as it is part of the manufacturing process and is not harmful. One of my colleagues said that when she worked in research they wanted to be sure that the person received every drop and that may be why. "

[vote4mikesummers]

BULL! That air may not be harmful, but it hurts! I admit to being a whimp. Air is gone and for me, so is the pain.

[esalmons]

It sure does.  Agreed.

[esalmons]

To start with I'll just say that I tried this today and it worked like a charm. No burning at all. However, I forwarded this to my nurse and her reply is below. I also remember being told that the air bubble helps push the Copaxone into the subcutaneous area it needs to be in.

[vote4mikesummers]

You have to decide what part of quality of life you want. I'm a whimp and hate pain. I have done this for a year now and it's working for me thanks. I can't decide what you need to cope with. MS is bad enough without adding to it...

[esalmons]

I'm new to this game - just under 2 months on Copaxone - but I have to question your comment about "it's working." As far as I can tell, no one quite knows how this drug works (they THINK they know) and how well it is working can only be judged by disease progression and that seems harder to gauge over the short term (periods shorter than 5 years). What if the true value of the drug is just the air bubble! ;)

[vote4mikesummers]

I used to be able to set my watch by the relapses that came every 3 months. Now I'm nearly 5 months and they are not nearly so severe. Just as they promised. Copaxone is working the way that they suggest. And all this without a bubble of air. But by all means, shoot the bubble. I am not going to take the blame for you doing what I do. I am nearly pain free and it's working. What can I say?

[esalmons]

That's actually what I wanted to hear! I'm glad to hear it's working - it makes me feel that I might just have made the right choice with Copaxone. Thanks.

[vote4mikesummers]

Copaxone is considered a second line therapy because it takes 6-9 months to get up to full steam in your body. After that it has similar results to the interferon drugs. Copaxone also does not result in the nausea that comes often with the interferons too. Rebif, which I started on was flat nasty. Copaxone has been very gentle. There is a chance of a 'racing heart' at about 9 months I'm told. Learn up on the symptoms so that you can be ready "IF" it happens to you. Didn't with me though.

[Coxukr]

yep, when you do push out that bubble, sometimes a tiny drop of the substance might leak out (remember all those movies?). Anyways wiping off the needle prevents the substance from getting in contact with all the areas like the skin layers on its way in, by that greatly reducing how much it will feel when and after you inject yourself, depending on the substance

[Coxukr]

yep, get rid of that bubble ;P

Injecting air into your blood stream can be lethal since it's a closed system.

[vote4mikesummers]

Fortunately, there is no shooting into a vein. But that little bubble still hurts. That and scrubbing the needle makes a huge difference.

[Coxukr]

that's true that's injected into the fat(meant nothing bad with it. Everyone's got it more or less :P) anyways one thing that greatly helps is when you have removed that bubble, and a tiny first drop of the thing you will inject covers the outside of the needle. Wipe that off! See otherwise the active substance will get in contact with anything including the skin layers on its way in and that might burn too, depending on the substance.

[sagatarianfirechild]

I am newly diagnosed and just started taking Copaxone. I was told (by my nurse and Shared Solutions) NOT to get rid of the air because it helps to give you the correct amt of the drug. What I do is keep something cold and a tube of anti-itch creme handy. Inject then hold the cold item on the site for a couple of seconds then use the creme. WALA! No itching no burning!

[vote4mikesummers]

I was taught to remove the bubble with rebif. Nurses in hospital settings remove the air from all injections. The one or two drops that come out of the needle when you are doing this may make a difference to you. They don't to me or anyone else I know of. But if the cold thing and sterile creme do it for you, great. I'm not putting creme directly on any puncture I make. I'm more worried about infections from the creme.

[voyagerrocket]

my mom had it since i was 13, it grew out when i was 16. i used to give her shots

[xdarthduckiex]

Thank you for that tip! I was diagnosed about two weeks ago, so this is VERY new to me. I'm getting a second opinion because there are a few more problems for me. However, I haven't started treatment yet, and I have to say that the injections do scare me a bit. I'm a big baby, so I will keep that in mind when I start. Thank you :)

[katherinebelinda]

GREAT! But remember to use alcohol swab.

[vote4mikesummers]

My MS nurses have told me to restrict use of the alco-swabs if I am normally clean and at home. The alcohol does nothing for you at that point. Hospitals do this swabbing as a matter of course. You'll only dry your skin out over time.

[Yottabee]

Very cool, Mike! I've got to try this at home. Was completely ignorant about "bubble burn" :)

[fredlaws]

-whatever works, but please be very careful in pulling out on the plunger as it can be fully pulled out and, "goodbye Copaxone."

[vote4mikesummers]

Oh yes. The plunger only neds to move a tiny bit.

[yia777]

my first 4 injections didn't burn so bad but day 5 burned like a bitch, can't do manual my hands are too shaky,so I use the injector but day 5 I noticed a drop of med on my skin so maybe that what made it worse, so I'll be more carefull next time. ;)

[vote4mikesummers]

I just found out myself that while I was scrubbing the needle, I may have been bending ever so slightly. That will force the needle to be going in at an angle instead of straight in. I am way more careful now.

[clreason]

Thank you so much! My Copaxone meds are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday. I was on Avonex for three years 2002-2005, but I was never able to shake the flu symptoms. I just stopped taking it. So, now I am starting with Copaxone. Thanks for your honesty. I watched the video on Copaxone. The lady on the video seemed like she wasn't jamming a needle into herself at all. On the bright side, my nerologist said that the pill to replace the needle is coming out next year 2009.

[cholito176]

thanx 4 da tip

[yia777]

thank you for the tips on how to avoid the burning feel. I'm starting on copaxone soon this would be my first med for ms I had my first episode in 1994 when i was 32 no meds till now but we saw my mri and it freaked me out but i feel fine exept for my leg that has its own mind,I figure not being able to walk is worse then the side efects,, but I'm scared

shitless I can't lie and yes ms does suck so does the fact that no cure is found yet.

I gues we just keep smiling and live the best we can.

[vote4mikesummers]

No problem. I still get a bit of the burn from time to time. I think I'm catching a nerve. But altogether, the burn has all but gone. Most of the problems I have now are because I twitch when I hit the injector trigger. My MS nurse was telling me they are getting smaller needles 'soon'. Smaller guage for sure. Shorter? I don't know. I would like to get away from the auto injector if I can. I like absolute control. I shot an AB muscle once. DON'T DO THAT! It hurts bad!

[Babydolljami]

um they told me to clean the site of injection so it doesnt get infected. DUH I also called copaxone todaya nd they told me to clean the injection site evertime thats why they send you the wipes enough for every needle and then some DUH!! thats why you out on lotion everyday to help keep skin moist plus its just good for your skin.

[vote4mikesummers]

Well I suppose it depends entirely on how clean you are huh? DUH. My nurse told me that use of the alco-wipe is onl;y really needed when you are unclean. DUH. And if you are clean, and don't get infections then I would say you don't need a lotion then DUH But you just keep that little bubble there and use those alco-wipes like you want to. Enjoy you pain.

I am doing just fine and am pain free now thank you. And for the record, you need not be so rude. I was tempted to delete your rudeness.

[Babydolljami]

i have ms and im on copaxone and the air bubble is there for a reason it helps cushion the mediction and keeps in your body its supposed to be there.

after set the trigger on the top of the gun and then you load the gun if you put the needle in the the autoinjector you push it all the way in the auto injector and till it clicks and then the needle will be sercure and you can pull the cap off normally.

i use the auto injector as well.

[vote4mikesummers]

All of the nurses and other health professionals remove the bubble of air when doing any kind of injection.

Do what you want though... I'm taking out the bubble of air and I am also wiping the needle really well too. I have the injections down to virtually "PAIN FREE!!" thank you.

And NONE of my doctors or nurses have said even one word against what I'm doing. "If it's working for you, great" they say. But by all means. Do it your way if you really want to. I'm not going to.

[vote4mikesummers]

I have recently found that immediately after pushing out the bubble, if I take the needle and a piece of clean tissue or a cotton ball, and scrub the needle off (I use a twisting motion) to clean off any residue of the copaxone on the needle, I have been able to make injections virtually pain free now.

Ask me if I like it! Don't bother...I LOVE PAIN FREE!!!

[SuperFo0L]

Someone already said this, but warming the skin first helps too. This relaxes your skin pores and allows the needle to slip in with less resistance. After you inject, you should put a cold pack on it, because this constricts the skin pores and prevents the meds from slipping back out and also lessens the burn.

[vote4mikesummers]

You can certainly do that if you wish. But I don't do any of that at all and simply removing the bubble has reduced the burning significantly.

But If this helps even more? Absolutely. Do what you need or want to do to reduce discomfort.

[xx8763xx]

I start Copaxone in a couple days. Since I know your little "trick" now, maybe I will avoid some of that pain! Thanks bunches! :)

[vote4mikesummers]

You may want to wipe the end of the needle prior to loading it into the injector if you are using one. I have found the drip residue to be a bit of an irritant when injecting too. Try it. You'll like it!

[vote4mikesummers]

One more that I just learned a few days ago. Because Copaxone can irritate the skin it contacts, after you squirt that little bit out, wipe the needle before sticking it into the autoinjector or before you stick it in you if you are a manual injector type. Cuts down even more pain. Nearly pain free altogether now.

[bubba277a]

Mike, I have been on Copaxone about 3 years now and your video has helped me with the burning. I can t thank you enough. Its a great trick . I am doing it "your way" and now can't see doing it diffrently. I also warm the the med with my hands and fingers to my body temp. My doctor also said that warming the skin or taking a shower also helps alot.

[vote4mikesummers]

I would have never thought of this unless I had been shown this with the Rebif I couldn't tolerate and the fact that I broke the first auto injector I got because I can't seem to follow step by step pictures very well. I also don't like making doll houses either.

Anyway, I had to manually inject while I was waiting for the new autoinjector. That was when I realized that the bubble was not my friend. That's when I decided to make this video. I'm glad it helped you.

[bubba277a]

I did notice some things about your video which I didn't like. First I see you didn't wipe with alcohol wipe. You pulled up your shirt and just injected. Well they give you the wipes free with the med. thats telling you something. I even shower ( when I can ) before the shot to limit contamination. A dirty shirt and no wipe you may be asking for trouble. Another thing I noticed is that you injected the shot above your navel. This is a no no. I may be wrong about your navel, but itlooked thatway.

[vote4mikesummers]

I did check with the folks at Copaxone after your comment. For fat folks like me, anywhere on the abdomen 2 inches away from the navel and don't need to use the alco-wipes when you are at home and clean because the alcohal will bring about other skin dryness and irritate further. She suggested when I was out somewhere, by all means use the alco-wipes. But not needed at home.

Wiping the needle of any Copaxone drips has proven helpful too.

[vote4mikesummers]

After your comment, I contacted Copaxone and double checked. Anywhere on the abdomen is okay as long as you stay 2 inches away from the navel.

Also, alcowipes are not recommended for use at home all the time. When you are out or when you feel the site cleanliness may have been compromised, certainly use one. But they don't like the use of them everytime because of the irritation it may cause to the skin from drying out and such.

[mandi7and10]

Thank you! Totally helpful. Another thing I've found useful is to warm the syringe to my body temperature just before injection. I do this by keeping it under my armpit for a couple minutes before I inject. Thanks for the insight re the bubble - that never occured to me.

I've been doing Copaxone on and off for almost 5 years. I cannot believe that to this day it has not gotten less painful.

cute to hear your little one in the background :)

?needle guage is so big due to fda regs?

[vote4mikesummers]

The Copaxone comes in little flats of 5. So I rotate as 1,2,3,4. 1 being the rightside of the gut. 2 right leg. 3 left leg and 4 the left gut. I keep one flat out at room temperature in a light resistant zipper thing along with the injector. Good for five days. I also keep out the only the five. When the last one of the five is used, I place the next five in the pouch. I number each flat so there can be no mix ups or forgetting where I am in the rotation. I also have my code with the medication.

[K7i7tine]

Thank you fo rthis tip. My husband has been taking Copaxone injections for about 18 months now and I always thought that the burning feeling he got was because he was doing it wrong or putting it in the wrong site. You have helped both of us. Thank you again.

[ACOSTA578]

Thats a very useful video and a great explanation u gave on the posts about how it works.

Thanks

[vote4mikesummers]

I hope it was something you can use. If you would, perhaps you can pass it on. Apparently this works with other autoinjected drugs as well. Insulin is often administered this way too. So this might help there as well.

[vote4mikesummers]

I started with Rebif and it was baaaaaddd for me. It is as my pharmacist put it, "NASTY".

Rebif does work for many people. Just not me.

Rebif may be recommended first choice for couple reasons. Injections are only three times a week and the drug starts to work right away.

Copaxone is essentially a decoy drug in that it is made of the same proteins as the myelin around the nerves. So when the T-cells are looking to attack the myelin, they will attack the copaxone instead.

[vote4mikesummers]

The copaxone takes about 6-9 months to get to full effect. But I figured even after a couple or three months that it should be doing something. When you get your auto inject, set it on '6' before you shoot yourself the first time, unless you have a good amount of fat you can shoot into. I have a lady I have spoken to about Copaxone. She has been doing this for a couple years. She wrote me today that even she has reduced injection site 'burn' doing it this way. But any drug, get rid of the air!!

[sillygoose61]

Today, I saw the doctor. He ordered the Copaxone. He asked why I chose a drug that's injected daily as opposed to 3 times a week. I told him about what I read about the side-effects, and he agreed. Also to my surprise, he said that he's seen fewer site reactions with the Copaxone than the Rebif!

I guess it's going to take a while before my insurance company approves the med and it will take even longer to get the full effect, but I know I won't be happy on a drug that makes me feel bad.

[vote4mikesummers]

It shouldn't take long for your insurance company to approve coverage. In BC where I live, there is a special authorization form which I need to give the insurance company after the provincial pharmacy coverage has been approved. That process can take about a month. Then away you go. I'm actually suprised he went with the Copaxone right off the hammer. Normally they try an Interferon first because it starts working right away. They are great and they work well with most people.

[sillygoose61]

Mike,

Thanks for the tip! I've not started Copaxone, yet. I was just diagnosed and this is the drug I chose from a list of four that the doctor gave me.

I'm a little bit anxious about it, but I'm looking forward to getting rid of the attacks that I'm having.

I'm looking forward to any other tips that you may have with medications or dealing with the disease . . .

Deb