Rocker,
I HATED that redipen just for that reason "the dribble" LOL (love how heppers have our own advanced language). It used to make me more crazy than you know. Sometimes I used to jab that needle into it a few times (the dribble that was left on my leg) to try and shove more of it in my leg. Yup. Jab jab jab. Poking myself needlessly over and over because psychologically I felt I was "losing" the meds.
Honestly once I was SURE it was too much and I did another shot. OF course that was in my head. But I wasn't in a trial and I don't know how that would affect you if you DD'd too.
Fortunately I think mostly it's just saline solution anyway. Later when I found out there were tablets/saline that I could mix together myself and then use a regular needle for - when I really saw how much saline there was....it helped me realize that I'd been REALLY out of my mind. OF course, I kept with this new way because there was no dribble and it helped me feel like I was getting more meds anyhow.
What I'm trying to say is I guess - some of us just obsess way more than others. Dribbles, lack of red marks, easier week of sides - doesn't mean a darn thing. I guarantee you next time or the time after you'll get a big bad red mark and then start to wonder and compare again but really...........it's in our minds, that's it.
If it was that easy to screw up they wouldn't send us home with those redipens. Once you click it together it's pretty guaranteed as long as you get that sucker into your stomach or leg.......the right amount of meds are coming out of there.
Try not to sweat it. I said TRY though because I know how hard that REALLY is.
deb
I took an extra shot one week.....still calling it the week from hell, week to end all weeks and week I was most likely to suck down an 38 cal. hollow point.
hope you didn't.
in future, you might try keeping the shot less deep. they say to go in an inch or 3/4 but I've found if you only put it 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep...keeping it in the upper fat layer, you will see the spot more clearly. the deeper you go, the less chance to see it.
Remember your body can adapt to both the INF and the suspension agents, meaning your symptom should be less severe over all with time.
mb
there is a technique to attaching the neddle to the pen tho...you have to keep the pen in the tray upright..push on neddle cap and twist pen ,and neddle at the same time..while pen stays in the tray upright...and do not remove the cap....yet...you have to dial the dose...then remove cap....the last thing you do berore injecting the goods are REMOVE THE CAP...enjoy
What a full description of pee?...YELLOW?......i am kiddn
I am SO happy your red splotch arrived! Despite the apparent lack of medical or scientific value I always feel so much better when I see my red splotch!!
Btw, I have noticed that different spots on my tummy have different absorption rates which no doubt affects how long it takes to show up...
PS: I also dislike dribbling.
Yes ...but i really thought that maybe the pen malfunctioned...bit i wasnt really sure...i think if went ahead and did the extra shot...the study would have been ok with it...because i was being honest...who the hell wants to do a double shot anywho....NOT ME..one headache is enuff..LOL...thats why i didnt do the extra shot...i did feel it...i want to do anohter shot bad now..to see what happens next time...come on friday
"Good Point, but how the hell are they going to find out?"
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Neutropenia. Drug levels perhaps.
"I wont tell them and I am sure Rocker wont."
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Rocker is very open. I mean, he gave us a full description of his urine and we didn't even ask....LOL. He's going to be in this trial for a year. If at any time he mentions it, the Study Coordinator will have to report it....and he would get kicked out because he violated the protocol and it could affect the outcome.
And if by chance he was to be able to keep it a secret...then people like you would be trusting tainted data.
Bottom line.....when he signed the consent, he agreed to comply with the study rules.
Co
Im at week 3...shot 4 coming this friday...cant wait...i know this sounds strange...but i actually love doing the shot...its like im doing something good....like saving my life
BTW...the red mark finally appeared....BUT...that was one mother of a dribble i saw last shot day
If you want blotches, you can have mine. I don't particularly want mine.
k
I'm pretty sure I haven't seen any clinical trials with SVR rates based on the blotch patterns from the injections, nor have I been given a reference sheet that shows me blotch samples that will give me a scale to go by to let me know how effective my injections have been.
In other words, tongue in cheek comments aside ... I wouldn't worry about obsessing over blotches. You're already recreating the geography of your abdomen enough. Count your blessings when you don't have an extra blotch to add to the landscape, IMO and focus more on your results, not the blotches.
I would agree not to take the extra shot for two reasons .. you're on a clinical trial and it's overkill and a bit reckless when you're basing it on whether you have a blotch or not. I didn't always leave a mark when I injected and in fact, I often marvelled at how little the evidence was .. used syringes, not pre-filled so that might have made a difference but still ........
I would try chillaxing, dude. You've got a ways to go yet and lots of ups and downs to ride out. Good luck with your treatment.
Trish
you are doing everything ok. i got the blotch on second shot. dont want the blotches. the freight train hit each time though. lol i am in same study you are.
Week 8 - seeing less and less red blotches with each shot. jankar
Oh yeah, about the blotches. Sometimes I got them from both the procrit and the interferon and sometimes I didn't. So I'm not sure its a good way to tell. Also, forgive me for forgetting but how many weeks in are you?
I like Marcia's suggestion. Do you feel like you got hit by a freight train yet?
I guess if you were really worried you could do half of your reserve shot so you wouldn't go a week without, yet wouldn't get so much you felt like **** in case you HAD gotten your full dose the first time... Trouble is, I am not familiar though with these redi-pens so I don't know if you could tell if you were actually getting half the juice if you used the spare shot.
My video for the pegasys was so ridiculously simplistic that it actually showed you how to wash your hands. You know, in case you missed that part in pre-school.
I don't get a red blotch. I use a Redi pen and one time I had what seemed a little more than a "dribble" leak out and it kept bothering me everytime I thought about it, so I had an extra syringe so I did it, was only going to do a few drops, but wound up doing the whole shot. But anyhow as I said, I don't get the red blotch - can't remember if I got blotchy the first tx, but this tx I haven't.
Co - Don't do it. You're in a clinical trial and if they find out you double dosed, you could be considered non-compliant and get kicked out.
Good Point, but how the hell are they going to find out?
I wont tell them and I am sure Rocker wont.
CS
"Anyway, you will soon feel whacked over the head and you'll know that stuff is working".
All you gotta do is follow Marcia's rule of thumb.lol Hell, I never look for a red spot, I'm usually trying to relieve my splitting headache. Even though it doesn't last too long, I know it's gonna be there. Urggg!!!
"why dont i just take the exta shot anyway"
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Don't do it. You're in a clinical trial and if they find out you double dosed, you could be considered non-compliant and get kicked out.
Co
@Can-man -- Arrested for pharting? OMG - I'd be put away for 100 years at least (in fact make that 101 ... I just ripped a felony while typing this...)
@Kickboxer: Let's just say the lad doesn't let me sit on the edge of his bed to read him a story.
@Can-man: Good to see you son. Where are you treatment-wise these days? Are you and the family well? Not ice cream season I don't reckon....
don't know about the pens, but after the first 3 months or so I stopped reacting to the Pegasus, so I've had no blothches whatsoever for the last 10 months....
I think the body gets accustomed to the stuff.
I still get some first/second day malaise, so I know by the little nausea, or fever, that the stuff is working...but nothing like the reactions at first.
I wouldn't worry about always getting the red spot, but you should be concerned if your pen leaked.
If you are comfortable with a regular syringe you could ask for the pegasus, the redi pens are harder to use, and more painful and aggravating than the regular syringes in my opinion. Of course you'll still have to use up what you have.
I have one med that uses epi pen.....if I peel off the label that is on the med canister I can see more clearly how much meds comes down with each shot....don't know if your pen can do this, but if it is clear plastic, covered with a label, removing the label will give you some peace of mind. You need to always double check when you screw the needles on to the pen.
first peel the paper, then screw on the needle, then take the top off the needle and screw the needle cap down AGAIN. It's the second check that assures you won't have a leak.
merryB
Hey GD good to see ya, read this and was worried it might be little goof, then saw it was in florida.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1121083gas1.html
Is that how you got your name? Kid's seen you dribble ? LOL !
I couldn't help but to respond to that one.You made me laugh out loud.
Tammy
I think that's pretty normal. HeII, I treated more than two years ago and still dribble from here and there on occaision.... best if I spare you further details.... ;-)