Self Injecting - Is it Hard?

I just found out that when I start my treatments later this week I will have to learn to do the self injecting on my own.

I've never done anything like this and am not sure that I can (chicken little is my new name).

Has anybody had any trouble? How did you get over it? Is it hard to do?

Please let me know how I am going to do this. I'm just freaked out as it is about being worried about starting the tx and now this made me even more scared.

Thanks guys.

[cougareyes]

I had never injected myself either, I now just did shot#11. It's not that bad but I do still dread it every week. We have a place here called Option Care that will give you the shot, I've heard some people have also had the nurse at the doctor's office give it to them.    Good Luck

[IwillBeatHCV]

Welcome!!

I too was apprehensive at first as is everyone else. The needle is so small, that you will not feel it--I guarantee it :-). But yes, the first time you will probably tremble. And it's all in the mind. And believe me, it will get easier. Good luck!!

[NYgirl]

Thank you it's just freaking me out - there is so much UNKNOWN about everything at this time (even with constant reading you just don't really still know anything about how you are going to handle it all you know?)

I appreciate everybody's input so much.  I'm starting to start freaking out now for some reason. I just want to get started so I can get the fear of the unknown to go away and then deal....

Thanks so so much.

[cuteus]

you will do this with your eyes closed in no time!
what are your stats? viral load(VL), genotype, biopsy results, etc.
there are a few here from NY, and we got to meet not too long ago at a NYC march, pretty cool support system. Sorry you have to embark in this trip, but the goal is worth it. If I would have been told last year at this time, how good I would be feeling a yr later, I would have been in the news for assault!

All: I posted something in my earlier thread, that was supposed to state "question" in the comment and didn't, if you get a chance, give me some input...TY

[avidreader]

The anticipation is 600% percent harder then actually doing it. I laugh now to think of what a big production I made of my first injection. Lots of doctors have you do the first injection in their office to make it a bit easier, but my selected injection day didn't work for my doc and I did it on my own. I'm only on shot 11 and I feel like an old pro. You just inject it into a fatty part of your body--your stomach or your thighs--it's not like you have to find a vein or anything. The needles are very small and very sharp. Before you even know it it's in and you are done.

[NYgirl]

You know it's been driving me crazy my doctor never gave me any numbers except to tell me I'm Grade 2 Stage 2. I just called for his nurse saying look I'm in an online forum support group (i really think this sure in the world is!) and everybody knows except me!

I hate feeling ignorant!  I mean I don't know anything about these shots at all and when the nurse said I had to come in to learn about them I almost fainted!  I know I can do it but it just adds to the stress.

I"m so glad there are some other NYers in here!  I wouldn't mind meeting up at all as soon as I'm up to it.  It would be great not to be so ALONE.

That's why i like being in here so much!

[cuteus]

get copies of EVERYTHING for your own records, every test , and bloodwork, that way you do not need to rely on them and their sketchy words! plus, when you are done and you begin to forget that hcv was part of you, they will remind you of the reality of the before and the after, and you will rejoice in reading "negative" over and over.

[NYgirl]

Thanks to you I phoned my doctor's nurse a short while ago. I am going to ask that they fax over all my paperwork.

I think the thing that made it all sink in to me the MOST was when I saw a picture with the different Stages.  I had first been told Stage 0 and was like yipppppy (this was the hematologist not my GI) so then when I went to HIM he said Stage 2 and I was like oh no......you are kidding right.  When I looked back at that picture I could not believe what was going on inside me.

I carry that picture EVERYWHERE with me now.  That won't change in the future and trying to prevent more damage has been my life changing momenet!

I just read your other thread and there are not enough words to say WOWOWOWOW Congrats certainly isn't enough.  What a long road but my God how worth it.

I can't wait for my turn to say NEGATIVE!   :)

[donAlfonso]

If you go to the Janis7 website, one of the women jokes about being able to give injections while driving.  I don't recommend that, but in no time you'll feel like you could if you had to.  If you get really anxious, your doctor's office should be able to help you.  I have a friend who is a nurse who offered to help me.  I did ask her to give me my hep A/B vaccination injections (which are IM) in the shoulder, as it was just too awkward.  Best of luck with the injections and the treatment.

dA

[carpedi]

Once you've done the first one, the shots will get easier and easier. If you have someone who can be there with you for the first time it might help. My husband always reads the instructions to me (I can say them in my sleep by now!) and he holds ice on the injection site to numb it before I put the needle in. I really don't feel it at all and, (I just did #11 last night),I've even stopped dreading it. It's now "ho, hum...is it really that time again?" You will do fine with it - your fear is the worst part and once you're past that it will stop being a "big deal". Good luck and try to stay calm - it will be ok.

[MichaelT]

Please, please relax. You know that you will jab a needle under the skin and press the plunger. It will "sting" a bit. That is all there is to it. You will do well.

Me, on the other hand, suffering from major brain fog, trying to focus on instructions for prepping the redi-pen, took about 20 minutes to figure it out and then stab myself, and moving the needle around because I'm gripping the redi-pen way too hard, did not do so well. The syringes for me were much more convenient and easier to deal with.

So, depending on what you are using...
if the needle is short, say 8mm, just quickly pop it straight in the skin and gently press the plunger.

If the needle is longer, gently grab your skin with about a 1.5 or 2 inch gap between your thumb and forefinger and gently squeeze up a little mound of skin. You will insert the needle into the mounded area at an angle, but you won't need to shove the entire length of the needle in. Press the plunger, withdraw the needle, and release the skin.

I left out the alcohol prep'ing steps. You should get a reasonably clear drawing of doing the injection with instructions. It will quickly become routine and no big deal.

God bless!  -Michael

[cuteus]

are you back on tx? Is this your 2nd round?
I like the syringes a lot better, plus I could draw out ALL the liquid for a little extra push.

[PasoPerson]

Hi NY - This is the BEST site you will find to get answers to your questions.  Welcome.

I was SO STRESSED for about two months over injecting myself.  And when I saw the needle I just laughed out loud and kept saying, "I CAN DO THIS" over and over.  It is a breeze, it does NOT hurt.  And never forget the most important thing ... YOU ARE WOMAN!

Let us know how it goes.  You will be so relieved after the first one.  I've done 3 now and never had a problem; I did pay close attention to what the NP said the first time she walked me through.  Never forget the pre-injection steps because they are to make a sterile environment for the needle to go in.

God bless -
Carolyn

[dammitjanet]

I'm a little freaked out too.  That's why we're all here.  I haven't started treatment yet so I have no real-life experience to offer you.  I too hate needles; always have.  The dr had to chase me around the office to give me a tetanus shot before I could go to Girl Scout camp.  My mother was mortified!  But, it's one of those things we'll just have to learn.  There is a self-injection video on the Pegasys website (www.pegasys.com). They make it look easy, and, as everyone has said, I'm sure it gets easier each week.  After being on this site for awhile, I'm pretty much convinced that successful treatment is 90% mental.  I have some time before starting tx, so am trying to get my body & mind prepared.  I'm trying everything I can think of to reduce stress - yoga, meditation, long walks on cool evenings.  I figure this is going to be a long, unknown journey, so am trying to keep an open mind before I embark.  With a positive attitude we will get thru this, and, hopefully come out better for it.  DJ
PS - Will someone please remind me of these words about a year from now?  :)

[donAlfonso]

Regarding your post in the earlier thread (I'm too lazy to go back there), I certainly understand your feelings, after all you have endured. But (oh how I hate the word "but") I think I can understand the reluctance of medical staff to readily accept that you are cured, considering all the awful diseases out there.  And even you are willing to cop to a 2% chance of relapse, which by the way sounds high to me.  I thought after 6 months it was more like .5% or even less.  However (a sneaky way of saying "but" again), the doc who reminded staff to take extra precautions was way off base.  Staff need to take the same precautions with every patient when it comes to exposure to blood.  His statement and attitude I certainly find offensive, and I hope you do speak with him about it.

I had prostate cancer in 2002, had successful surgery, no signs of spreading, and my PSA has been 0 since then.  But every time I go to the transplant center, they want to see a recent PSA, and remind me that if it the cancer returns I will be taken off the list.  I am not officially cured until 7 years have passed.

As for my PCR, last week I told my doc my theory of being cured as long as I don't have results that prove otherwise, He thought that was pretty funny, and called my bluff by offering not to call me when he gets them.  In the end he agreed to call the MINUTE he gets them.  I'm hoping to know by the end of the week, but it may take even longer.  I certainly will post ASAP.

BTW, I am feeling better, some days I don't even take a nap, and a few days ago I had the thought that maybe I'm not retarded (the jury's still out on that one).  Haven't seen any posts from Giddyup/Whoa or Majneni since the march, hope they're ok.  Was the procedure on your back successful?  Finally, don't let the bastards get you down. You know you've won!

dA

[MichaelT]

Oh, I'm sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I'm three years post-treatment and my PCR earlier this year shows still virus-free.

I was all set to retreat after a false-positive on my 6 month post-txt PCR, but another 2 PCRs (different tests, different labs) were negative.

I was just reflecting upon my experiences starting treatment after reading the post about injecting. My cognitive impairment was fairly severe at times and I remember it was particularly bad at the time I started treatment - hence the difficulty in figuring out how to operate the damn redi-pen. Give me a syringe, a spoon, oops, I mean a syringe and a vial of interferon any day over that nasty pen (apologies, overlapping flashbacks, there).

It is funny how things go in cycles. I had to train my wife to give injections to her mother starting with powdered interferon and interleukin-11 and adding water, swirling, etc. By the time I started treatment, interferon was premixed or in a redi-pen, then along comes pegylated interferon and we are back to powdered form, now it is not... it is all too weird.

[NYgirl]

Hey Cuteus I got some numbers here! (But she forgot my biopsy report and everything else they are so lazy just sent the bloodwork)

Says
AST 212
ALT 203
Type 1a/1b
IU/ml 568,000
PCR 5.75

I dont know what any of it means but it seems like the IU # is pretty low (from what I've seen of others).

I have to go read a bit now and try and find out what's going on. I wish they weren't so horrible...I can't start treatment until NEXT Friday now because I have to see the opthamologist first - why didn't they tell me that before!!!!

I WANT TO START KILLING THESE CRITTERS OFF NOW!!!!!

[BronxRican007]

I'm an active duty military tough guy and I was literally shaking the first night...and the second...and the 3rd--you get the picture!

It's not easy for me but I can do it because I have to. Otherwise I run the risk of accidently infecting a loved one with a needle *****.

I always pull out the instructions and follow them to the letter and I always feel that I may have done it wrong. But when I wake up in the morning and feel like s$%t...well, I know I got it right and the medicine is working.

Like the commercial slogan on TV, "You can do it; We can help!"

Good luck and get well soon!

Bronxrican007

[cuteus]

low viral load is supposed to be a good thing for most. You are a combo person? infected with 1a and 1b? darn! there are a few here that are both, Susan400, vicki, and who else?

Michaelt; I remember that one! so that was you? yes, that was a stressful time! so they believed it to be a false positive, eh?  I was trying to remember the other day who that happened to.

DA; yes, I can certainly understand the reason behind some of it, but(;-}) I wish for him to add something like "pt is  now testing negative" because "pt is hep c active" does not really apply unless is for the antibodies, quite technical stuff for sure. I agree about the  statement at the OR, Universal precautions should always be in place anyway, it was uncalled for.
the procedure is working so far, epidural, I think that is why Monday, does not feel like a Monday at work. Is nice to be pain free.
End of the week....marked it on the calendar!
check this thread, where they both posted: didn't we have a list with people's numbers and stuff? got to find mine
Lab Test back, need help on what this means. - ZROBERTO: 08/31/2005

[NYgirl]

It says HCV Genotype, LIPA 1a/1b.  What does it mean I have both?

God I have so much to learn. I am so confused it's just overwhelming to me at times...remember how you felt before NEGATIVE NEGATIVE NEGATIVE!!!!   :)

What are the AST and ALT numbers? Is there a like tutorial on here anywhere that explains all this stuff? I dont even know what to compare my numbers to that is the problem if you know what i mean.

The doctor is so casual he's like ah it's no medical emergency you can wait till next week and I was PISSED hey if you had G2-S2 hcv doc you would want to have started it last week!

No emergency to him but sure is to me!

(Thanks C for your help you know, big time you guys just are awesome)

[donAlfonso]

Thanks for pointing me to that thread.  No surprise that I managed to miss it. Yes, what did I do with that list.  What have I done with everything for the past year and a half, haha!? The only pieces of paper I know I can find are my old lab reports.

Giddy, if you're out there, I/ve been thinking of you, man.  Hope you are coming out of the fog and can enjoy a few months off tx.  Maintenance will seem like a piece of cake compared to what you've already endured.

Maj, glad to see you are still with us.  I am gradually feeling better, as you said I would. Hope you are well.  Should be getting colorful up where you are. Enjoy the fall.

dA

[NYgirl]

Just read that having 1a/1b lowers your odds of the treatments working.  Great.  Well I can still do it I just have to stay positive. :)

[carpedi]

Go to   www.janis7hepc.com  There's a wealth of information there -everything you need to know and them some!

[cuteus]

nygirl; psychodoc was both and achieved svr, it can be done!

[NYgirl]

What would I do without you guys?  I can't thank you ENOUGH ever.

[nyhepc]

just so you have something to compare to....this is NOT like a shot into an arm muscle. or NOT even like getting stuck to give blood. the peg needle is very thin and those who say they can't feel it...is true.  as a nurse, even i too was leery of that first shot. but i felt nothing.  good luck to you, and after the first one, you'll think "how easy!"

[go-girl]

Hi, I'm in the same boat as you, waiting to be called to get blood work then 2-3 weeks later will start tx, am dreading it as well but anxious to start counting down 48wks of it 24wks more if I don't respond UGH....... am type 1 also. My GP goes over all my results with me, and so does the gastro its all explained that doesn't mean it all sinks in right away, I'v learned alot on this forum, take notes & do my homework so I will be armed. on my lab printouts for blood work there is two columns on the right where it says within range and out of range eg; for AST within range is 10--40 ALT is 1o--55 hope that helps. have you thought of getting another doctor that's a little more comforting? NY has lots of choices I'm sure. LUV NY was there with hubby and grandkid at towers 51 days before they went down we still can't get over it, I walked 14 miles from Bus depot thru C park up to 92nd  St to find husbands moms apt where she was born in 1912, we found it, NY has so much energy, have never walked 5 miles never mind 14, enjoyed every sec, were from Van B.C. 2hrs north of Seattle WA, good luck, will be anxious to see how you make out

[NYgirl]

Thanks everybody!

I finally went over to janis - what a PHENOMENAL SITE! It has helped so much!

Well go-girl it looks like we will be on almost the same schedule...so maybe that will help us both!  I do the 48 and you too and we are GOING to respond we are!  

NY is a great place and I guess bronxrican is from here too!  :)

I love this forum. All the stuff you can't talk to with your regular friends you can bring up in here. I can't wait till I have some knowledge and get to help other new guys out like you guys have done for us.

I also can't wait for NEGATIVE!  :)

[NYgirl]

HEY I AM SO CONFUSED. I dont know if I am figuring my viral load right or if it's got to be timesed to something.

it says this:

HCV RNA IU/ml   568000             IU/ml
HCV RNA, QN PCR 5.75               Log/ml

Does this mean my count is 568,000 or 5,680,000 or something?

I can't figure it out even with the Janis site language.

:( I'm trying but it's so confusing.

[jmjm530]

You have a very low pre-tx viral load. This is good news in terms of treatment outcome.

What you want to do is make a firm  request to your doctors for  a week #4 PCR test in addition to the one they normally give you at week #12. The PCR tests measures your viral load in IU/ml's.  The test should be sensitive enough to go down to at least 50 IU/ml. A good and readily available one is called HEPTIMAX by Quest Diagnostic Laboratories. They have drop-in centers all over.

A week #4 PCR will give you valuable information on how well you are responding to the drug. Don't let your doctor talk you out of it -- it's your liver.

BTW, forgot if you've mentioned it, but what's your stage per your biopsy report?

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

Ah Jim thanks SO MUCH.  The more I started to "read" the more I confused myself to the point I was sure I had 5 million billion trillion instead...thank God I thought to ask.

I am G2 S2. My enzymes are through the roof though:
AST 212 and AST 203


I am actually surprised that my number is not higher (thought i am 1a/1b).

I am going to INSIST on whatever testing you totally believe in.  you're input has been so valuable so far I can't tell you.  As I said I think the more i read the more I am losing comprehension.  It's better to ask in here and get a "real word" response rather than b x 2 = 7/8 divided by 9.32 = LGR  ;-)

Of course none of which I understand!

Debby

[jmjm530]

Knowledge is indeed power, especially when on tx. The more you know the less dependent you will be on the mistakes others can make and that includes your doctors. BTW you noted "AST" twice, probably a typo. Also, what is G2 S2? Your genotype is  a mixed 1a/1b correct.

Lastly, a more complete profile is helpful in answering your questions. You probably mentioned these elsewhere but basically:
Age, weight, height, how long you've had the virus, pre-tx viral load, AST, ALT, and very important Biopsy stage. Also, what is your treatment plan -- what drugs and what doses.

BTW it's normal to be confused but things do clarify with time. 28 weeks ago I was asking/researching the same questions like
what does "tx" mean. What does "dx" mean.

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

Hum let me try to type correctly!
I am Grade 2 Stage 2 - Genotype 1a/1b yeah mixed lovely stuff!;)

AST 212
ALT 203
Age 40
Height 5'7
Weight 125
Treatment plan is 48 weeks Interferon 1x a week Riba 2 pills every day.  I don't know the dose of the Interferon yet. Was planning on starting on Friday but have to put off for the opthamologist who won't squeeze me in.

I really think I got the virus last year but the doctor insists I have had it for 20 years (since the 80s and my wild party days even though I never used a needle). Last year I had four transfusions and I know the blood is screeened but...it just makes no sense to me. I guess I will NEVER know how long I've had it although he says 20 years.

I used to drink a LOT but no longer drink and have not in about a year (lucky timing for me) but I wonder if since my viral load is so low but my AST ALT so high maybe that did a lot of damage and fibrosis on it's own.

So many factors you know?

Debby

[v eggie dip]

Hi there, I'm Beth...

I just noticed you're in Canada...I live in Northern Ontario (where the moose meet you for coffee  LOL)...I moved here a little over 6 years ago from Tennessee...

How's the Health Care in BC?  It is not so good here in ON...I found out I tested positive for Hep C in May 05 and still have not been scheduled for a biopsy...Very frustrating...

I do know that I am genotype 1A and have VL of 5.80 UI/ML (approx 700,00) and have not decided if I will be treating yet...I am 54 yo female...

It's nice to see someone from Canada on here, thought I was the only one...

Beth

[jmjm530]

You pose good questions none of which I really have an answer for. :)

But the really important thing is that you picked a really good time to treat. Still not a lot of damage and a very low viral load. You got a lot going in your favor!

BTW do you know if you're using the Pegasys pre-filled syrninges or the Peg Intron Redipen? Also, you said "two pills a day" of ribavirin, I think what you meant was you'll be taking ribavirin "twice a day".

At your weight, you should be taking either 5 or 6 pills a day. Each pill is 200 mg, so that translates into 1000 - 1200 mg a day.

A few more stats will be useful regarding your tx if you have them handy:

Hemoglobin
Platelets (PLAT)
INR
Iron
Ferritin
TransFerrin Satur


-- Jim

[NYgirl]

Well Beth it looks like your viral results are pretty close to mine...and I take it that's a good thing! :)

I dont have all of the results but my hemoglobin and albumin and globulin and bilirubin are all in the normal range. That's about all that is normal about me though!  T4 count normal and TSH too (whatever they are)

I dont start until that opthamologist checks me out so it looks like NEXT Friday which is bumming me big time. I really just got the nerve up to do it all and now it's postponed.

Jim you've been at this 28 weeks now? How did you find this forum and other stuff?  It's nice making friends in here...don't feel like such an outcast anymore!

:)

Debby

[jmjm530]

Can't really remember how I found this place. Probably just doing a search on google.

Yes, I'll be taking my 29th shot tomorrow night. I'm a 1B with pre-tx  viral load of 1.5 million, non-detectible at week #6. Pegasys 180mg/wk; ribavirin 1200 mg/day.

BTW did you find out how much ribavirn a day you're taking. This is pretty important. Let us know when you find out.

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

Wow Jim that is just FABULOUS new that you've got.  You just KNOW you've got that big fab word NEGATIVE to look foward to don't you? I can see it in your eyes!  ;)

I put a call in to the nurse at the doctors office - AGAIN. I wanted all my paperwork sent over to me but of course...good luck on that right.

Hopefully later today she will call.  I believe he did probably say twice a day but I just thought of it as two pills.

Will let you know.

PS I know you are not for like herb therapy but what do you think of vitamins/herbs in conjunction with tx?

[jmjm530]

LOL. Yeah, I'm looking forward to the big NEGATIVE but still have a ways to go.

I'm not really against vitamins and herbs per say, but more directly to your question, I'll address the issue while you're on combination treatment.

I see nothing wrong with a multi-vitamin without iron, but wouldn't go hog wild at your local health store grabbin everything in sight. :)

Milk thistle is highly controversial while on treatment. Some say it helps, other say it works against treatment. I say why take the chance? Let the big boys (inteferon and riba) do their job. I'd also stay away from any herbs during treatment unless you're prepared do do A LOT of PERSONAL research and again risk affecting your chances of SVR. Personally, I'm not taking anything right now but been thinking of taking a multi-vitamin pill lately.

-- Jim

[v eggie dip]

hi there!

I can give you my input of using vitamins/supplements before starting tx...

I have had severe joint and muscle pain for quite sometime...since I learned of my active virus I started using vitamins on a daily basis...

Last winter I was doing physio therapy for my right forearm 3 times a week (they called it tendonitis)...as well as acupuncture, none of which worked...

Since I started taking vitamins most of the pain is gone and I do not feel as fatigued...As far as taking them if and when I start tx, not sure...I do know I wouldn't want anything to "mask" the tx but would like to maintain if possible...I will cross that bridge once I decide on my tx...

This is what I take on a daily basis

Sam-E
Vit E
Vit C
Seleniuum
B Complex
Big Green multi vit
garlic

Tallblonde has much knowledge on vit/supplements if you want more info

Beth

[v eggie dip]

forgot to mention I take Milk Thistle as well, thanks Jim  lol  your post reminded me of it...got brain fog today!

[NYgirl]

Thanks Veggie!

A lot of the one's you have are on my list of potentials.  I mean only to take one's that I am sure won't mess me up more but I really think that HELPING the liver with antioxidants and such is probably a really wise move you know?

I have to go down to the shop on Friday and start picking some things up a bit at a time.

I had to throw out my multi-vitamins (still have to actually) cause they have extra iron and vitamin K & A and I read not to take too much of that.

I am intersted in grape seed and garlic and vitamin c and e and things like that.  I have been reading about milk thistle too.  I wish that I knew for SURE what was good and safe but I am very glad to see you are on the same track as me.

I want to try and make this as easy as possible on this poor abused body!

[v eggie dip]

for what it's worth, I showed my liver doc my list of vitamins and he said they were all very safe to take, but, advised me to stop taking vitamin E..apparently there was a study that showed vitamin E caused cardiac problems...however, the study did not state the pre exisiting conditions of it's subjects or age...

I have not taken E off my daily regimen...

If you decide to start taking vitamins be careful with your multi...things like centrum and one a day have very little minimum daily requirements and basically do nothing...

I also would love to take nu-liver but it is not available here in canada and they will not ship here, but I would add that to my daily if I could....

Beth

[cuteus]

my  1st dr suggested zinc, vit e and biotin during tx. the 2nd could care less, but said no to milk thistle. run things by your GI, before spending too much

[friole]

Such good info on this thread, I haven't thrown in my 2 cents.  

Before my first shot (am on 9 now) I watched the Pegysys video and it looked so easy I told myself, I can do that - and called the nurse and said I would forego the lesson.

Picked up my prescription on shot day and it was NOT the tidy prefilled syringe, but the vial.  I asked the pharmacist and he said that the "prefilled" was not circled on the rx so I had to have the vials.  Then they gave me some syringes - 22 gauge (huge) with 1" needles. Yikes! That was a nightmare, but I got through it.  Was not as tidy as I anticipated tho.

I posted here and people told me what size needle to have (27ga or 25ga) and I got those for the next 3.  Before I refilled I talked to the nurse and she straightened out the pharmacist who apparantly was pretty green and didn't know that the  prescription was ONLY for the prefilled syringes. THose are so much easier, I can assure you. That first shot took a 1/2 hour and now I can almost do it in a commercial.

regarding viral load.  I think the standard that everyone uses here is international units (IU) per mililiter (mL) of blood.  I don't see many speaking in terms of the one.numbers.  Mine was 1,520,000 before tx.

I use the Janis sight each step of the way. In understanding viral load, biopsy results, and a multitude of other things.  There is indeed a wealth of info there.

Glad you are getting started and have found this place
Kathy

[rearfang]

NYgirl,
Just wanted to welcome you. I've only been posting short responses the past several weeks, so I'm glad to see that all these folks are coming to your rescue. BTW where are you in NY?

Don, Giidy, Whoa, maj,
Hi you guys! I've been thinking about all of you. (Cuteus, too, but she's been ever-present, as always, and I mean that in the absolute BEST sense!)
Lauren

[NYgirl]

Thank you EVERYBODY for all the help.  I felt so much better about everything last night. I even bought a notebook to use as a journal for all the things I don't want to forget.

I don't know what I would do without you all.  My doctor has told me NOTHING at all about anything really (maybe my fault as I did not have the right questions yet) but since he's not been through it...he wouldn't really have a handle anyways.

Another quick question I thought of:  what about hair loss? Is it not so bad (as my doctor told me) or does it all pop out?

PS I am in Westchester County right outside NYC.

Debby

[carpedi]

I'm on #12/48 this week and to date my hair is still firmly attached! Don't know if it'll stay that way, but so far, so good.

[cuteus]

my half sister is in Westchester! and you have a lot of MH members nearby, Amerabrit, who is MIA, lives close by, and rearfang, cquest, donl( in MAss), I am in LI, Don Alfonso in the city, we have enough people for a big party!

[NYgirl]

LOL how far away is Long Island from me? NOT FAR!!!!!  

We do have a big group going on here and could throw quite some crazy party!  Why they would be sure we were drunk (even though we wouldn't be) because we are all so crazy!  :) Meant in the nice way of course!

I would totally be up for it as long as I dont get major sx which I just am going to refuse to get!

I never knew negative could be my favorite word until your post you know!  :) :) :) :)

[mongo1234]

Dear all, as far as the injection goes it aint so bad, the neddle is so fine (small) that you barelly feel it anyway but the fact it is done in fatty area ( exp. stomach) wich masks it even more it can hardly be feelt, i think the psycological part is the biggest hurrdle. kinda like when you get a small cut, its like ow oops you wipe off the blood and put on a band aid and you dont even think about it it over quick but to sit there with a small razor blade knowing you HAVE to cut yourself for a small blood sample seems so hard to do.

[mongo1234]

like "iwill" said its all in the mind, after a few ijections and you realize it aint so bad you will be ok, of course i may be a bit better (for lack of better term) off than some or most as far as neddles go due to the fact thats how i caught it was by shareing neddles so they do not botter me (neddles) but oh proud to say iv been cleen for 26 years now.

[spectda]

I guess many of us have had practice sometime in the past unfortunately. I think you'll get used to injecting yourself quickly. It's not a big deal. Good luck-Dave

[FlGuy]

Time Warp Thread.  Can you believe the rookie question that the author posted?  I hope she learned something by now.

[jusjames]

yes lets keep bumping the post to remind NYgirl how sweet and innocent she used to be ha ha

[nygirl7]

It's so far back I didn't even find out I was stage 3 yet or that i would become more than quite proficient doing three shots a week at injecting and for 72 weeks at that.  Waaa I had so much faith!!!

Boy I'm a little kid - a newbie bean!  So sweet and innocent and so nice and all...............look what the meds have done to me during the past five years!!!!

Boy I was scared I even brought my mom to the lesson in case I chickened out she was going to zap me while I was sleeping I remember!

Oh those were the days!!!!!!!!!  ;)

[jusjames]

zap you while you slept !  ha ha i love it.
you are the sweetest .
x

[Marcia2202]

lol.... this is hilarious sis'

I can't even imagine you like this...

hahaha

[GSDgirl]

We learned how to give injections in high school vo-tech 1978 & 1979 Medical Assistance 2 year class.  We also did bloodcounts, poking the finger and filling the pipettes, spinning it down.  In those days we did not wear gloves and I would bet that we even reused the razor thing.  We would go pull friends from their class to get different "samples" and a few teachers let us give the Vit B shots.  I often wonder if it the hep c came from then.

I did not go to the class but heck my puppy bites hurt more LOL.  I really can't picture you being a chicken shite, buy hey......you did it and PREVAILED!!!

Denise

[nygirl7]

T4 count normal and TSH too (whatever they are) "


HA was there a day when my TSH didn't matter to me?  Is this even really ME? Boy i sound so much younger. Naivety is a wondrous thing.......sad when it goes away :(

So many really good peoples names on this thread I had forgotten about - the old timers when I was a newbie. Well now we are the oldies......that is hard to imagine when reading these posts that 5 years later I'd still be here trying to give back. But anybody can see now how little I knew and why this forum is so important to me and how it impacted my life.

So here I am typing away..................................................

Be careful James of I'll get on a plane and come and zap you!  :)  x

[winner727]

LOL  yeah , thats funny .         i only had trouble once in 48 shots . and it was human error .        i forgot to screw on needle tip before adjusting dose .   doohh !  

[can-do-man]

"Self Injecting - Is it Hard?"

Is this a hep-C question???    :)