*sigh* finally prescribed Procrit

[lalapple]

that makes 3 self injections per week including the Intereferon.   i've been on Neupogen shots since 4th wk and hepa just called prescribed Procit shots for anemia now that it's finally tanked below 10.  on top of that, i also have to get weekly lab works.  still have to deal with being full time student, 2 family members in the hospital, losing hair like crazy and whatever else i can't remember anymore.  what am i turning into?  how bittersweet everything has been.

32/48 wks

[Trish77]

You are turning into a woman who is well on her way to being done treatment and is giving your HCV a helluva whoopa$$.  Keep it up.  The procrit is another weapon in your arsenal.  It comes with little to no side effects and will help you once it kicks in to get all the way to that Week 48 which you are ever so closer to each week!  Countdown!!  You're doing an amazing job, keep up the good work.  To get to here without needing procrit is great .. so hang in there, hoping for SVR for you and no more needles!

oh, btw....I liked the diabetic needles, they were easy to use.  I bought a wee supply from the pharmacist and they might sell you some too.  All my INF was vials because of the trial I was on.  I found the caps on the other syringes harder to pull the caps off of.  Use what works best for you, no point in it being harder than it has to and what it has to be...suck it up, buttercup. :)

All the best.

Trish

[Deb_c430]

Lala I will send  the name and pictures of them,  if your skin is sensative they do help. They will most likely  have to be prescribed.  But they cost no more, to insurance than a bag od insulin needles.

To the "boys"

I never suggested jasper you reuse any of it all, so stop trying to twist what is said. This is why hardly anyone posts any more,   None of you can give out info with out an attitude attatched. Call me rude, but that in my world is plain speaking.

This is 2009, they now offer a two needle  syringe,  The BIG needle is for drawing and punching through the rubber, the second is to inject.

THEY ALL go into a sharp, container, the red container you use to dispose of in. There is never  any reuse, Very few people own a auto clave in their homes, shakes head,

[Isobella]

I am so glad you are going to get Procrit. It should make it easier for you to get through to the end. It's hard enough trudging through the middle of tx without having to deal with anemia.

~~~what am i turning into?

I'd say a human pin cushion, maybe.  But at least you're in good company!

Hang in there....wishing ya the best =)

[Andiamo1]

I agree with your general feelings.  I would not reuse even if the needle was never used for injection.  The risk of a bacterial infection  being injected subcutaneously is enough to scare me!  That is if you are using a bottle with more than one dose - as I did.

Only an autoclave would be safe as you point out.

[jmjm530]

they would only be safe if the needle used to draw the Procrit was never used initially for injection. That would mean you would need extra needle to start with. But even if so, you'd be breaking the sterile seal unless the needle was properly autoclaved. I just don't see it is a great idea when fresh sterilized needles are readily available. do you?

[Andiamo1]

I think Jasper is proposing that the needles used to draw the procrit be reused, not the needles used to inject.

[jankar]

Just reading this thread - my last two hbg were 10.4 & 10.8.  10.4 was my lowest. Feel like staying in bed all day - makes me wonder that if I had the Procrit, from what you guys are saying, I could feel human again?

hang in there - you are doing good - sounds like the Procrit could be good. jankar

[jmjm530]

I would never reuse a needle. period. if sterilization is not complete, the chance exists of reinfection given the fact that current technology does not let us know when we are truly undetectable. Therefore, the used needle, even if the blood tests show undetectable at time, could still have virons that could then be transferred. not to mention the possibility of other infections as I believe few if any of us have a professional autoclave at home. Most pharmacies will supply you with extra needles, if asked. If not, the cost is minimal.

[geterdone]

Its an easy fix, dull needle that is. Sterilize "used needle and barrel" or in this case two and use them to draw the procrit and neupogen out of the vials, then take needles off of filled syringes and use the new needle and barrel and draw form the sterilized barrels with the procrit and neupogen in it. You have to be creative when need be.

jasper

[portann]

Hi darling Lal,

Sorry I missed your thread until now. I know you'll do great with the extra shot. Even if it's a pain to take it, you'll feel better.

I haven't taken it myself but I sometimes wonder if I'd be a much happier camper if I did. Please let us all know if you feel a difference.

All the best and hope you get your needle questions answered.

Must run. Take good care.

[lalapple]

first shot Procrit?!  that's how i usually inject my Neup.  Neups sting.

[lalapple]

or maybe i can purchase some extra needles at walgreen's or something, they might have needles right?

[lalapple]

thanks Deb!  great to see you on here.  the pharm people don't ever give me separate needles, just the needles attached to the tube syringes.  so if i changed needles, i would be wasting an entire syringe tube and plunger.  i remember the last time i asked them for extra needles i had to specifically talk to a pharmacist and had to convince her to give me extra syringes.  

[Deb_c430]

perhaps they are issuing you insulin needles?   I remember them from last time, if that's the case, ask for the other kind. They are cost effective.  I inject evey day with infergen, x2 neupogen, x2 procrit.  Worth asking about.

Good luck,  

[GreatBird]

I just did my first Procrit shot today. No sting. Only one needle. Didn't seem to be blunt at all. I was a mess before it too (I'm such a weenie about shots).

Good luck!

[Deb_c430]

they should be giving you two needles per syringe, One to draw and  load the syringe, another for injection, dull needles should not be happening.   it's a easy fix.

They also will not normally let you go over 60 a week. I inject nightly  Infergen,  then x2 a week Procrit, x2 neupogen.  

It will make you feel better,  
take care

deb

[lalapple]

thanks all for such encouragement.  i'm calming down.  33rd shot tonight!  

Neupogen actually comes in a vial also, and i always have to draw the med out first then inject.  the pharm i'm with doesn't offer me extra needles unless i call then up to ask for extra ones. it's such a hassle.  so i usually don't change needles and inject with the blunted tip after i draw out the liquid... ouch right?!  i've noticed that Neup stings since my first shot of if and have somehow almost always preferred Peg over Neup.

most of you mentioned that i will actually appreciate what i get from Procrit.  well.. i guess i'll have to just give that a shot!  literally, a shot.  

[jdwithhcv]

Its tough, I know, but the procrit is going to help you.  Be sure to warm the shot before injecting, it will sting less.  Hang in there.  You've come a long way and in the end it will be worth everything it took to get SVR.

Good luck,
jd

[Andiamo1]

I think the procrit will make you more energetic.  Low Hgb makes you feel like staying in bed every day!

thinking of you.
Eric

[epiphiny]

Hang in there girl, you are doing so well.  I can't believe how far you've come, shot 32 already, wow!  I like what NYGirl has said, and it sounds like the procrit will get you feeling better pretty soon.  Thinking of you xxxxxxxx

[Gert2]

My hgb was 12.something and went down to 9 by week 4, I get another blood test next week,  Soooo we give ourselves the procrit shot?  how many times a week is normal? I'm getting better at giving the interon shot..  with the procrit shot I assume it's not an intermuscular shot-  so back to the belly again?  my head is all over the place.....

God Bless all of you

[lapis]

It really is a lot, isn't it?  You have so much going on.  And as the others say, I'm sure the Procrit will make you feel better.  Anemia is a tough one to deal with.  I'm in Wk 15, Hgb went down to 9.1, not eligible for Procrit due to study rules, so I've had to go with Riba reduction.  I'd rather have Procrit!

You are strong and you can do this!  Sending you lots of good wishes.

[nygirl7]

"The problem here is that the syringe needle gets dulled somewhat when it's inserted through the rubber stopper problem vile."

Jim isn't kidding the procrit hurts more than the IFN - and the needle does get a bit dulled going through the rubber but ------------- shoot it's worth every second of the second of pain!

Don't take it like taking that extra shot ***** cause it doesn't!!!!! Procrit is the miracle drug that will make you feel human again! Look foward to that one BIG TIME! I took it twice a week (40,000 x 2, then 40,000 every five days) for 69 weeks - it was the one time I didn't care about that jab (even though the procrit shot hurts more than the IFN) because I knew I was going to be breathing and walking and the ringing in my head would go away and I'd stop fainting!

Think of it like that and you'll be like oh I don't mind this one AT ALL!  :)

[jmjm530]

well, I guess the good news is you probably don't have to deal with any kittens :) but seriously, in the Procrit sounds like a very good call given your hemoglobin. Unlike the peg, it can sting a little going in, so you might want to let it warm up to room temperature for 15 minutes or so before rejecting. Another tip. I'm assuming you're getting the single use vials. The problem here is that the syringe needle gets dulled somewhat when it's inserted through the rubber stopper problem vile. This can result in a more painful jab. The workaround is to use a barrel that accommodates removable needles. The BD Luer Lok system is a good one. so what you do is you draw the Procrit out using one needle, then change needles to a fresh one before the injection> just make sure you call the barrel upper right so the Procrit doesn't spout out> don't ask me how I know that LOL

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