Switching peg interon delivery.....needle questions

[oneday]

Hi everyone.  I just qualified for Commitment to Care program.  The only issue is the Pegintron they have is in the vials with syringes.  I'm such a weenie.  I've been doing the Redipen for 9 weeks and am scared of the change but financially really have no choice.  I need some reassurance about the mixing and needles.  Also, I think I read on here that some of you have your docs order smaller guage needles.  My GI is more than willing to do that but wants me to ask the pharmacist what he recommends.....I think you guys probably know better.  I have a teaching session at the infusion clinic at the hospital next Friday.  The pens have been soooooo easy.  Please share your mixing vial stories with me and also needle guage recommendations.  Thanks a million........10 down!!!!!!!

[capnk]

I have T2 diabetes and have been taking a regimin of pills Avandia, Metformin etc. for 15 yrs. I have months of good control and some times a week or more of poor control. Particularly if I alter my routing.
My doc says we are at max dosage for pills and the next step is needle. I have absolutely no problem with a needle and would have switched long ago.My doc keeps trying to talk me out of it, but I am very tired of taking pills. Can anyone tell me if my life will change that much if I go to a needle.

Thanks
Dean

[oneday]

Hi Bob...yes it's me.  Meds are being delivered today and I'm going to infusion clinic on Friday.  I don't want them to administer the dose because I'm in a Sat. night routine and since I'm two weeks from my 12 week virul load test I don't want to mess up the formula.  Yes....I may need your help Sat. afternoon....thanks...

[bobbyullc]

yes thank God for commitment to care.
a woman at my church asked me ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT A NEEDLE IN YOUR SELF? damn, if i could not i would not be here.
mary is that you. if so i will give you a hand if you want.
piece of cake.
bobby

[cornsqueezer]

I was using the redipen when I started my tx, about 4 months into tx I was going to do my shot and I had two redipens left this was on a Friday night,the first one wouldn't dial at all.I was freaking out but a least I had another one, it screwed up to I couldn't beleave it,this one just dialed part of the way. I called the company and they shipped me two new ones overnight and I sent the bad ones back.I got lucky that they got it there by Saturday.
   After that I ask for the vials so I could be sure I had my shot on time.Once you use them it will be easier ever time,I am sure you will do fine and the needle's that come with the vials weren't that bad.
                     Good Luck,Debra

[FlGuy]

Now that I use syringes legally (and sterilly by the way) I'm not so concerned about appearances.  As I get older I'm less concerned about what people think and appearances and care more about get older still.  I chuckle every once in a while, I work in an area of higer level execs and am one myself.  Little do they know that I was a long-haired Dead-head with counter culture tendencies way back when.  Went from mainline to mainstream - so to speak.

[friole]

I'm one of those Deadhead to Professionals too.
Got a chuckle today because my business partner (who knows) gave me a birthday card with a bunch of hippies on the cover called "Visionaries," and the same 4 people inside  "flash" 35 years down the road, called "Squintionaires."
keep on truckin'......
friole

[FlGuy]

what a long strange trip it's been...

[friole]

I will never forget the day I was talking to my mom on the phone and she said, "How does it feel to be back in the establishment?"


Back to TX - how are you holding up in your exec position on tx.  I tell you, I have been trying to write a technical letter to a client for about a week, and am still not through.  Sometimes my cognitive functions are fine, and other times, I could care less whether I had any (cognitive function) or not.  I would just as soon sit here and play freecell on the computer.  I  will do 21/48 tonight
friole

[FlGuy]

TX has forced me to be more organized at work.  'Buzzed-out' on a few things early on.  Now I keep track of calls, meetings much closer.  Also take lot more notes of conversation, everthing is dated with time, actions, follow-ups.  All are a hedge against 'the fade'. Also manage a good, but easy, pace, eat well, exercise lightly, try to ignore headaches. Picked up 'Goofy Pills' (ambien) last night to deal with exhaustion and sleep deficit. 22 of 24 tonight so I'm in the homestretch.  The day after last riba go on vaca for 3 weeks. Time to recover.  Was clear at 12, expect to be at 24.

[friole]

oneday - I have told this story before, but why not again.  When I started in July, I was prescribed the Pegasys prefilled syringes - but the pharmacist (green I guess) filled it with the vials instead.  I was totally freaked out because I watched the video and felt confident with the prefilled.  But what the H*** was I supposed to do with the vial?  Do you give me syringes too?, I ask.  The green pharmacist and the assistant (who had that scornful "we know about you hepatitis c types" look in her eyes) gave me syringes with 1" needles, 22 gauge. Wow - what an unnerving experience.  I questioned this forum the next day and got some 27gauge, 5/8" needles -- what a difference.  Now I use the prefilleds and I think they are 28ga.

Now for the Neupogen and Procrit I use a 29 gauge, 5/8" needle/syringe that is for allergy shots.  The needle does not detach, so I do not replace the needle after piercing the rubber on the vial.  No problems - I recommend the smallest needle you can get.  Good luck, you will do fine.  It is a breeze now.  I like the vials..

FL ---- You hve a syringe on your desk???????????????  I know, insulin, but that would knock everyone's socks off here.  I cannot even imagine it.  You must be out for the shock value.

friole

[FlGuy]

I also use Redi-pen but also am diabetic on insulin.  For the insulin I use 0.3 cc 30 gauge 5/16" length syringe.  The needle length is about the same as the Redi-pen and the width of the needle is about the same too.  It's no too painful - not that I like the insulin or anything.  It is easier to handle than the Redi-pen - lighter, thinner, easier to plunge.

I'm at work right now with a syringe on my desk and getting strange looks from the folks around here.

[vegas777]

I didn't realize you were only on 24 weeks, and to be so close now!!  that's awesome, you must be really excited to get off those posions...I am very happy for you, and your time off is a real good idea....

Best of luck to you

Beth

[NYgirl]

AH FLGUY so happy you got the Ambiens.  I tell you they have made a WORLD of difference for me. You are going to sleep so well...even if you wake up in the middle of the night you will be able to fall right back to sleep.

That was my problem the constant "wakeups" that happen and it takes so long to go back to sleep after taking so long to GET to sleep!

You just have to let me know how you feel after a few days of 8+ hours.  Personally I plan on sleeping about 14 hours at least tonight into tomorrow.  Then on Sunday too!  :)

HEY VEGGIE WHERE YOU BEEN HIDING!  I MISS YOU!  :)

[FlGuy]

In some respects, TX is flying by.  In others, it seems to drag. The significant point for me was the ND PCR at 12. At that time, TX was paying off and was half done - made second half a little more tolerable.  Am a 3A, so 24 was the plan. But there's no doubt the effects are cumulative. When I hear those folks who are on the road to 48 or more and those who have had TX on/off for years - I'm just amazed at their guts.

[FlGuy]

Have been reluctant to use anything, including Tylenol, on TX.  But the sleep thing is wearing me down. Not so bad later in shot week, but shot nite and the follwing 3 are lousey.  Looking forward to 8 hours after shot tonight. I think ambien will be my friend. They are so tiny.

[vegas777]

Hi Debby :)

Hope you're feeling good today!!  I have been going to the Unity Forum mostly...It's very freindly there and I like the idea of having a real live Nurse when I have questions...Plus, there is no "nastyness" over there, if you know what I mean...I miss you too!!!..I sent you a couple emails a few days ago...

FL guy:  Sleep is such an important part of maintaining good health you really should take a sleep aid if needed...I take a Homeopathic one becasue I find the over the counter ones leave me groggy in the morning...

*dipstick*

[beamishboy]

i'm w/ commitment to care also.....they are very responsive&altogether!! i keep couple weeks supply ahead tho..Needles work just fine for one shot..They do recommend that you use both needles provided;one for mixing,one for injecting-i don't always........i am past shot #3 and feel aok with it all--You most certainly can do it!!! Like fallin off a log,in the woods,on a snowy evening,the road not taken;good fences make good neighbors---Good Luck!!!!!

[scruffy]

I had no problem whatever with the mixing and the needles. I think you will find that after you've done it once or twice it will be a breeze. Good Luck, Frank

[NYgirl]

I actually WANT to switch over.  While the RediPens are so EASY believe it or not ONE of them was arleady smushed together mixed when I got it (so obviously I could not use it) and one leaked out all over the place once (my fault).

Now of COURSE CVS is giving me major HEADACHES about exchanging even the one that was wrecked when I got it!

I've never had any problem with my Epogen syringe shots though...maybe because I concentrate so hard or something.

I seem to do better with them.

I am SURE you will do just FINE once you get used to it.

I think I use regular old diabetic type needles - because they are really thin or something and hurt less?  Gosh I wish I was home and could tell you what it is called One CC or something darn - I am so needle stupid I have no idea!