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Avatar universal

shot in stomach and riba energy

Hi all,
2 questions for all of the experienced tx'ers.

1.  Is it ok to continue doing the shot in the stomach only?  I have found that I have such bad reactions in my thigh, and sometimes bruising from shot, I think I prefer the stomach.

Going on 14 weeks and over that last 3-4 wks have started to have so much energy at night, that I am up until 11-1, most nights and cannot fall asleep.  Was using just trazedone and now using ambian 1/2 dose.
All of this normal now, strange that it just started isn't it?
Many thanks for your  feedback.
15 Responses
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your feedback.  I am not on ativan.  Right now I am trying to take the riba earlier.  Go see the dr. Thurs, see if he has any ideas.
Helpful - 0
577132 tn?1314266526
It makes sense to me that you are only starting to feel the effects of the riba in the last month as it takes about 8 weeks for it to come up to full serum level - rib is accumulative in your system.  

The other thing that could be happening is that you have developed a tolerance to the sleepers and they are no longer working as they did when you first used them.  They can be a little tricky like that.  

Also, I would be careful about adding an antihistimine in to the mix now as they potentiate the sleepers and can make you feel very strange and definately render you incapable of driving the next day.  Check the info leaflet that comes with the ativan and make sure antihistamines are not contraindicated.

You could try taking the riba earlier as suggested above and you could look at using a more natural approach to the sleep-aides, chammomile tea, warm milk before bed, cut out coffee and other caffienated drinks in the afternoon.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
All my shots in my stomach. I took ambein for sleep.I took ativan for anxiety. The only problem is that I am off tx but can't sleep without the ambein or the ativan. Thats not good
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you everyone!  I really appreciate the feedback!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I actually switched the other way around, I was doing it in my stomach, but have some loose skin (yeah I know gross...but its from weight loss) so was unsure how it would take, just to be on the safe side started injecting into thighs.  I think its ok so long as you make sure to rotate the shot area (eg left side one week right side the next).  As for lost of energy and being up at night, yeah I get that too, 11-1 have been prime "high energy hours" for me as well.  And like you, I have been taking trazadone however without the ambien.  I find the trazadone helps immensly with sleep.
Helpful - 0
476246 tn?1418870914
It really doesn't matter. Personally I preferred my thighs. I started out with the stomach, but was not too keen on it.

Everyone has their preferences.

Wishing you all the best with tx!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I injected in the tummy throughout my entire tx including Neupogen shots 2 x week.
Like the others, I tried to inject in a different area each time.  Belly fat I had, thighs not so much.

I used Ambien for a brief period of time.  It helped me fall asleep but it did not keep me asleep the entire night. During the last few months of treatment I also used Ativan to  sleep it helped me stay asleep for at least 6 hrs.  After stopping treatment, I had no problem falling asleep.

I experienced extreme interferon fatigue during the day and was usually exhausted by the time I got home from work but when bedtime came my body could not settle down.

Amazing how we adapt, even when we are sleep deprived but it sure does make a person cranky.

Things should settle down once you stop treatment.

Trinity
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Avatar universal
I'm allergic to benadryl, but I would sometimes take ativan to unwind at night.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you Newleaf09!
Helpful - 0
717272 tn?1277590780
All my shots rotated in belly fat.  Only reaction was a rash from procrit shots.  I was over reactive to interferon and it damped the riba hyperactivity down a whole lot but I used benedryl for sleep the whole TX and was up to the max dose (200mg) by the end.  Your immune system is working so hard; you HAVE to sleep to stay sane and recharge your body.  Used Ambien successfully for the post-TX insomnia (after you stop the IFN, the riba stays longer and keeps jazzing you) but had the Ambien side effect of over-enthusiasm and couldn't even bear myself so perky.  Using Lunesta now for insomnia related to something else.  It's okay.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks, yes very difficult to relax at night.  Wound up.  
Did you use Ambien?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
After the first two shots in the thigh (I had a reaction like the one you describe)  I took all my shots in the abdomen.  I did 48 weeks of tx, and took procrit for 40 weeks as well.  I had the pink polkadots all over my belly, but nothing like the reaction I got when I injected in the thigh.

Riba gave me insomnia throughout - when I look back in the MH archives I see posts at all hours of the night while I treated.  Fortunately there were others awake and online most of the time.  Back in those days this forum was really busy, pretty much round the clock.

Good luck with your tx, I hope all goes smoothly.

jd
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you. I am certainly accomplishing quite a bit,, just tired in the am.!!
Helpful - 0
1010685 tn?1295032636
Hello!  I asked about the shot thing when I started too.  I was told lots of people only used one or the other throughout tx.  Some people actually preferred the thigh.

I am on week 32 and have used my stomach the whole time.  It's much easier to pinch an inch on my stomach.  I can't pinch anything up on my outer thigh (it's too firm from having to carry around my big belly I guess :)

Though I can see red areas where I gave the last few shots, I am really careful to write down exactly where on my stomach I give my shot each week to be sure and rotate spots thoroughly.

My stomach is a little tender (don't wear low-cut jeans - you will regret it the next day), but I just can't bring myself to use my thigh.  I say use your stomach as long as it doesn't bother you.

My levels of insomnia ebb and flow.  It does seem like I had it from the start though...

Good luck with everything!

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello, i treated two times and did all my shots in the stomach, just rotate the area each week. And yes riba can keep you up at night, i took mine in the morning and late afternoon or early evening. No need to be concerned about taking them 12 hours apart. I took mine around 8 to 10 hours apart. Its all normal, hang in there and best to you.

cando
Helpful - 0
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