Hi,
I am starting Copaxone tomorrow. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice that they could give me?
Especially about preventing site reactions. Is it best to inject directly or to use the device provided?
Many thanks,
Adrian
Oh and the use of Witch Hazel. 
hi adrian
keep the skin moisturised. it helps the needle go in easier.
double base gel is good.
be warned that some sites are more painful than others.
i was ok with all 8 sites for the first 3 years but now i no longer do my stomach or my thighs.
the connections helpline are great. staffed by copxone nurses and very helpful.
good luck
carole x
Hi Adrian,
I have been on copaxone for 20 months now and I have always used the injector pen/device thing although the nurse also showed me how to inject without. After I have injected I place a cool pad on the injection site which helps ease the pain- at first it felt like a bee sting but as the weeks have gone on it is much less painful. I also warm the syringe up alittle bit before injecting by placing it under my armpit for 5 mins. I don’t inject my arms-too painful so rotate around my thighs,tummy and hips/buttocks. At first the injection sites were itchy I took an antihistimine which helped but that has eased now. You may get lumps under your skin where you inject-I do and have to massage them away I use a simple moisture cream from Boots. THe lumps do go eventually.
Good luck
Cathy
Thanks Cathy and Carole. I appreciate that. Do you think that it has helped with your relapses?
hi adrian
i’ve had a pseudo relapse but not a full blown one.
anyway believe it will help you and it probably will.
carole x
Hi adrian,
Yes I feel it has helped with relapses-In 20 months I have had 2 minor ones-sensory they lasted approx 5 days-not needed steroids.
Good luck today
Cathy
Thanks. I have just done my first injection. I did it in my thigh and it was absolute agony as it went into the muscle as I don’t have much fat. I wanted to do it at 4 but the nurse said 6. Apart from that it was fine. 
Thanks for your feedback. x
Well, seventh day of taking Copaxone and I love it. No serious site reactions so far, touch wood. Apart from the first day, where I injected into my muscle, it has been really good. I now manually inject which gives you more control. I’m not sure if this is the case but it seems to be working already. I just wish it came in a pill.
If anyone has to make a decision between Rebif and Copaxone and have a history of depression, go for Copaxone. I went on Rebif last year and I got seriously depressed.
Thanks,
Adrian
Glad to hear that all is going well Adrian - i have been on Copaxone for over 10 years and it has kept me fairly stable, thankfully. I just self inject and rotate round mu tummy, bum, thighs and occasionally use a cream or moisturiser - has become 2nd nature to be honest - good luck with it.
Stephen
Thaks Stephen. That’s good to hear. Good luck with it too.
well done adrian!
carole x
Damn. Spoke to soon. Just had some side effects. Feeling hot, confusion and anxiety after I went into the sun.
Oh well, will stick with it see how it goes.
Thanks Carole. x
adrian
sun does weird things to me whether i’m injecting or not.
i still go out in it when its actually sunny, tell myself its for my vitamin D but its just trying to hang on to the things i used to love before ms.
i’m sure you’ll be ok.
carole x
Thanks Carole. I will stick with it. x
I remember talking to you when you started rebif, Adrian.
Good luck and i hope the copaxone suits you better.
Teresa.x
Glad it’s going well Adrian. I remember your troubles on rebif as you started around the same time as me on it. So this is great news. I’ve been okay on it touch wood … slight low mood but that could be the m.s so im on a low dose anti depressant which has made me feel so much better. Id felt low before rebif and had awful moods. So family life is now a lot better. Do you still use that herbal anti depressant only I have some here I could post to you … I can’t take it as it effects contraception? Pm me your address and you can have it hun xxxx