Fear of the needle....

[seeuinct]

I have been reading like crazy on this site for info on the DMDs. I decided on Avonex bc its once a week. I am not afraid of needles. I can watch them take blood- no prob.

My question for those of you out there who do give yourself the shots is... Does the needle size hurt when you self-inject? I really want to be able to do this on my own since I am by myself usually.Not having had this dilemma before, I am afraid I am going to freeze up and not be able to perform when it comes right down to it.

Did any of you meet with the nurse and a friend or family member, who could also learn how to give you the shot- if you weren't able to? Am I WAY overthinking this??

[Redwings]

No, you're not overthinking. You're being realistic and thinking ahead. Reward yourself with a pat on the back for your foresight!

I've been on Avonex (big needle), Copaxone, Rebif and injectible methotrexate, and I never found the size of the needle to be painful or a problem. What I did find was that Copaxone and Rebif -- the medications themselves -- are what sting. But (more times than not) you learn what to expect and how to minimize effects, and it all passes in a few minutes.

Depending on what med you use and where it gets injected, some places are easier to self-inject than others. Copaxone and Rebif have auto-injectors that can help in reaching the more awkward places. People usually get injection training from a nurse, and other helpers/caregivers can also be trained in how to do your injections for you if/when you can't.

As long as you're not afraid of the needles themselves, once you get the technique down, the injections can become as routine as brushing your teeth.

Of all of my meds, I much preferred Avonex. No awkward injections sites, no injection site reactions, no stinging, and only one day per week (and only for the first few weeks) to have to manage side effects. And during those first few weeks, a little wine and cheesecake beforehand went a long way in making the experience pleasurable.

[Keepin_on]

I have been taking Rebif now for about 4 months. For me doing the manual injections is so much easier and hurts less. The needle is small...I have heard that Avonex hurts less than the smaller needles (rebif, copax, beta...) even. But, I couldn't confirm that personally.

I highly recommend asking the nurse to come walk you through the first one. Made it easier for me for sure.

The first few...maybe several, will be tough...but, it gets easier I promise.

A wet warm cloth on the site before for about 3 mins, helps me inject easier.

Hope that helps! It is easy now for me...and I freaked out the first few times

RE: Your Question

I am an RN and the hardest thing for me to do in nursing school was to give a shot. It seemed so unnatural. I had to practice on an orange, but a living person was so difficult.
I would ask the Avonex nurse to come and practice with you if possible. After you get through the first one, the rest is pretty much easier.

[dpmich]

The Avonex team really takes it seriously and spend about 1- 2 hours with you. They explain everything, train you, have you do a practice shot (on a piece of foam) and then have you inject while they are with you. Then they come back out a month or so later to be sure you are doing ok.

My DH and I had been doing other dmd shots so thought we knew it all, we were wrong... lol She still showed us a couple things that would have helped us with my other shots also. Avonex has a long and a shorter needle so you can go either way. I have found there have been no shots yet that have been "bad" or hurt even. One wasn't really comfortable when coming out but it still wasn't horrible.

Good luck to you.

Debbie

[Lexie]

The copaxone people (shared solutions) sent a nurse out and spent about 30 minutes training my husband and I on the auto inject. It just becomes a routine. I do mine right after my bath every night. Some redness and swelling at some sited but nothing I can't handle. Just glad there is something that can possibly slow the progression of this disease. Good Luck. You can do it!!!

[wkikta]

I have found that with Avonex if I Ice the site for a couple of minutes before the shot it works best for me since it numbs the site, the only major pain is the initial needle stick. I do the shot slowly so I can completely control it. If I get a twinge I can stop the insertion, after a couple of seconds the twinge is usually gone and I can continue.

I believe that Heat would make the site more sensitive since it increases Blood Flow.

I log all shots on an Excel Spreadsheet and rotate sites on my thighs, only place I have ever done them. The Nurse will explain how to set the Injection Site, one hand span from the Knee and from the Hip Joint. I do the fronts and the sides, draw a line with a pen. Upper/Lower Front/Sides, 4 sites per thigh. First 8 above the line, last 8 below the line. This gives me 8 sites per thigh, revisit site every 16 weeks. I still take Naproxen shortly after the shot even though I probably don't need it. For the first few months I took a low dose, 10mg, of Prednisone about 6 hours before the shot, this will almost completely eliminate any side effects.

This week will be shot 558

[seeuinct]

Thanks Bill and everyone else who posted- I appreciate it.

Can you talk more about this 10mg of Prednisone? How does this med help you have no side effects? What are side effects of taking prednisone over a long period of time?

I got my call from Active Source and I am going through the insurance debacle right now. I am waiting for Winter Break (I'm a teacher) to begin my shots so that I can be off work for the first few.

[BigA]

Bill,

any particular reason why you rotate, even though site reactions are almost non-existent with Avonex? I alternate between two sites but in the back of my mind, I always wonder if I'm harming the muscle.

Thanks,

BigA

[Kraheera]

Right now I'm taking my thighs off rotation for my Copax. There are no visible bruises, but the sites are sore for about a week or two, and frankly, since I have a 2 year old who runs at my legs constantly, it's just too much soreness for me to deal with while also in hte middle of a relapse which has messed with my legs.

I figure once my legs stop hurting so much, I'll move back to using my thighs. I haven't told my neuro, should I? I didn't see that it really mattered, so long as I 'm taking my shot everyday.

[Bob698]

I haven't told my neuro, should I?

Neuros are specialists, so it can be a tough call who to tell.
What I've noticed is that they may prescribe an injectable med but the actual use of it (the mechanics of doing the injection) can be a bit "beyond" their experience.
They just prescribe it, we take it, and let's keep an eye on the MRIs.
You could also tell your GP, assuming they know about DMDs.
Another option would be to call the support team for your med. Just be careful, sometimes all of these folks try to talk to each other and the results can be like the old game we played in school where one kid whispers a message to another and by the time it makes around the room, the message isn't close to what it was at the beginning.

Just to play it safe, I'd tell both your GP and Neuro. Better yet, do you know any of the nurses who work for either Dr?

[Kraheera]

I know the receptionist for my neuro rather well, but my gp changes constantly thanks to me being a military wife. *rolls eyes* At the start of this mess my GP was Dr. Redd... then for some reason they changed me to PA Schwartz, but forgot to notify me OR my neuro. I only found out because I had some questions regarding some lab work.

I'm still irritated about that, actually.