Unable to start tx last sat, will start this sat 8/13

[Easywriter2222]

Hi Everyone. Thanks for all of your encouraging posts last week. I was geared up to start treatment and was mentally prepared for it. I will be using the Redipen System from Sherring Plough. During my phone call with the nurse to walk me through the process. I found out the the Redipen was supposed to be refrigerated before use and I did not know that. Therefore my treatment was postponed and the for Redipen's had to be discarded. What a waste. Fortunately Sherring Plough is replacing them for free. My pharmacist apologized for not being clear and everything is going to be okay, but just a week delay.
Although it was disappointing at the time because I was really (isnt this funny) looking forward to getting it started so all of the pre-treatment jitters would go away. Anyway has anyone used the redipen and is it pretty easy? Thanks to all. Easywriter

[friole]

What a disappointment to be all geared up and ready to go and can't.  You made a good move though.  It was good that you caught that - that they needed to be refrigerated - in time, and great that the drug company is replacing them.  Good luck this Saturday.  I am looking forward to my first shot with the prefilled syringe (like the redipen, I guess) instead of the syringe and vial.

[HepCinLA]

Looks like we'll be starting at the same time.  How long is your treatment period?

[carpedi]

Sorry you had to wait a week. I know once you make up your mind to start you just want to DO THE THING! My redipens are shipped in by fedex and they come in a refrigerated pack that keeps them cold. They are really easy to use - you just pop the needle on, tap on the barrel to bring the air bubbles up and move the plunger to the correct dose mark and you're ready to go. MUCH easier than the vials that you have to draw into the needle. Don't worry, you'll do just fine when the time comes.

[timlotus]

Here's a tip for the redipen: follow the instructions printed on the leaflet which comes with every pen very carefully.

Also I found it useful, once the needle (which is very fine and easy to insert without pain)was inserted into the fat below the skin, to hold the needle steady and firmly in place by gripping the lower half of the barrel of the pen with one hand, while FIRMLY, SLOWLY & STEADILY squeezing the plunger down with the thumb of my other hand, while curling the fingers of that hand around the upper part of the barrel to give something to push against. (Wow it's difficult to describe but it's quite simple in practice)

This does two things: it keeps the needle in place so the drug actually gets delivered into the fat under the skin instead of leaking out, and secondly it makes sure you get the exact and full dose. The plunger can be a little stiff and it is important to get to go all the way down. My method prevents too much pressure being applied to the needle possibly dribing it too deep and causing pain or discomfort.

all the best when you start. I will do my last shot of 24 next week - thank goodness!!

[rifleman]

The redipen is a bit awkward the first time b/c it is drippy from the self-priming mechanism, but otherwise works fine & it easy to use.
Remember to take the dose out of the fridge and let it set room temp for 20 min or so to come to room temp before using.
For the first shot, you might want to take a couple tylenol (or even tylenol PM), take your shot, and then go to bed.  Hopefully, you will sleep thru the worst of the shakes.  
No sense sugar-coating it, the first shot of pegintron is usually like being hit by a truck.  That means it is WORKING.  You'll get thru it in a couple hours.  Some folks get lucky and don't have the flu like sx from the first shot, but I suspect many of them are using pegasys.
DJL