Anybody else have this happen during an injection?

Hi, everyone.

Last night I gave myself my 5th Avonex injection.  I'm getting used to this; turn on soothing music, set out my supplies, etc.  My eyes didn't bug out this week when I uncovered that 1 1/4 inch needle.

I smoothly started inserting the needle into the top of my left thigh, and it stopped, with 1/3 of an inch to go. I felt a squirming inside my leg, like a muscle moving or knotting, without extra pain.  I thought for a split second, then continued to push the needle in, and finished the injection.

My thigh kind of stung and ached inside, so I put some ice on it.  There is no visible hematoma.

Did I do the right thing by pushing through, or should I have tried a different location?

Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, how did you deal with it?

Thanks for any input.

Kathy

[LATW]

Did you know there is a 1 inch needle?  I would call the doctor and request a script for the 1 inch.  They come with the Avonex but you have to have a script for them.

You are braver than me.  I doubt that there was any problem with continuing the injection if there was no extra pain.

I was on Avonex for a year and then stopped it.  The last time I took an injection my muscle contracted and jumped.  The needle came out of my arm before I had injected.  That was it.  I decided no more IM injections for me.

[truelove47]

kathy

My Huband gives me my avonex shots, so i don't know if there is any stopping that he senses.

I ice up so so it is numb in the area.  I have been been taking it for well over 10 years.
and I sometimes get a spasm when he is injecting it.

I know it is caused from being stress"ed  for me  I hate them, but know I must take them
Linda
Linda

[Fluffysmom]

Thanks for your replies.

I think I will ask about the 1 inch needle. I can write an e-mail to my MS nurse, who is wonderfully responsive and helpful.  She saw my thighs when she taught me to inject, and knows that's not where I carry much of my extra weight.  Besides, I dropped 10 pounds after that colonoscopy.

My roommate went along when I learned how to give myself injections, so she could know how to do them in case I just couldn't bring myself to do it some week.  After watching a couple times, she decided that she couldn't do it.

I iced before my injection last week, but forgot to do it this week.  Thanks for the reminder!  Yes, the injections are necessary, so I appreciate the helpful hints.

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

Tomorrow is the day that I should feel increased pain in the muscle that cramped, if the past is any indicator.  I need to run some errands today, but am extra fatigued, I suppose because I increased my dosage.

I took half a Provigil; maybe I'll try a cup of tea, see if that perks me up.

I haven't written to my MS nurse yet about the 1 inch needles; I don't want to sound like I'm whining all the time.  

Kathy

[LATW]

Kathy do ask about the 1 inch needles.  They are available and if you are thin you would find them much more comfortable.

I know the Avonex nurse would not think you are whining, they are there to help you and want the injections to work.

I just found the IM's intolerable for me.  Too painful no matter what I did.  I iced and pre-medicated.  Had to psych myself up but just dreaded it.  I would have an upset stomach all day.  It was just down right painful for me.  

The Avonex was not working for me anyway so changing to Beta was best.  So far the every other day injection has not been a problem for me.  

Do contact your nurse about that needle!

LA

[Fluffysmom]

Sigh, I'm not thin.  It won't hurt to ask, though, if the 1 inch needle will make things a little more comfortable and still do the job.

I do get nauseated right after the injection, but it passes fairly quickly.  I have to mellow myself out to prepare for my injections.

I'm glad that you switched to a med that works better for you.

OK, I'm e-mailing the nurse.  :o)

Kathy

[LATW]

kathy,
I am not think either.  Not rolling down the road like a butter ball yet but not thin either.

My thighs are not really heavy though.  My weight is pretty evenly distributed.  Anyway that 1 inch needle would probably help.

Good for you for sending the nurse a message!  That IS what they are there for! :)

LA

[britinusa]

My Neuro gave me a prescription for EMLA cream and it took the edge of the shot. I have only had one shot so far but other than the flu symptoms the site reaction was nothing compared to the copaxone..

[Fluffysmom]

I sent the message to my MS nurse.  She wrote back that "squirming" is a good description of a muscle spasm, doesn't if feel weird?  She needs to discuss it with my neuro, who wasn't available, so she'll get back to me on Monday.

I was shopping in Costco today when I got a call from the Avonex people, checking to see how I'm doing.  After 33 minutes on the phone, they will be sending me some much thinner 1 1/4 inch needles, as well as some 1 inch needles to inject my arms with, and will send out a nurse to train my roommate.  I talked to my roommate, and she said she could do that.  Cool!

The Avonex nurse I spoke with suggested I avoid the top of my left thigh, since that's where I have the most problems.  Maybe the thinner needles will slip right in with no problem.

She also suggested I draw up an air bubble, and inject it after the Avonex; said that it would hold the medicine in my muscle, that some of my aching could be from it leaking out and irritating other tissue.

Anyone else been told that?  Do that?