So Stupid

[CaliforniaMum]

Ok....wanna know how stupid I am?
When the visiting nurse from Shared Solutions reminded me about giving shots, she mentioned to always look at the book step by step when giving myself a shot. That way I dont have remember the steps, just follow them. So I thought I had this down, dont need the book right? Last night........I gave myself a shot with the stupid cap on!!!! That's what I get for trying to be cocky and think I didnt need the step by step instructions anymore. Wasted a whole shot in that injector pen. Tonight....I am going back to step one. After 3pm.....my brain is mush!

[twopack]

Hey, it happens.  At least you know what you did wrong.  Here's a true story.  Really.

I was at the hospital for some tests last week.  The tech had all his stuff ready to start my IV and then inject my fair share of necular waste.  I knew it wasn't right but put my arm out there as I was thinking it through.  Now how dumb is that!

He makes the perfect stick then stops dead as his finger searches for the nub of the the plastic catheter to push it into the vein.  Seeing his very puzzled face I nod toward the armrest tray and say, "There it is".  It must have flipped off when he opened the package.

Since there is no way to leave the big needle in there or even inject the sludge, out it comes with apologies and a huge, "Sure am glad this wasn't your only good vein."  Me too yahoo.  You can use my #1 pipe that the student missed last week :)

We both thought there was something wrong there.  Did nothing.  I think I'm going to arrange at least an overnight at the Holiday Inn Express soon.

Mary

[CaliforniaMum]

That's too funny. I am now in the Cap on Club!!! Better than the "Clap" on Club for sure!

[rendean]

Join the Cap on Club! I think we have all done at least once if not more. Eventually you won't need the steps and it will be a natural routine. In the meantime, don't feel stupid about something that is a common occurrence.

Ren

[HVAC]

Everyone has done the cap at least once. Always check the depth though. Mine had gotten moved and I gave myself an excruciatingly deep shot in the arm where I hit a nerve.

Hang in there,
Alex

[Sarahsmom46]

You are not stupid. We've all done that once or more.  I did it 2 months after I started on Copax.  Now that was stupid.

You'll get this down pat in no time.  The really important thing now is that you are finally on a DMD. Hang in there it gets so much easier.

Julie

[Lulu54]

Hi CM- I have to laugh because I have done this more than once.  The first time I sprayed my dining room table.  The second time it was in my bathroom.  Just recently it was at my kitchen counter.

I  finally figured out how to save the dose when this happens  (if I can get lucky!).  

DON'T take the red cap off the autoinjector

unscrew the housing

carefully reach inside the side that has the syringe

back off the pressure on the syringe plunger.  Be careful not to pull too far or the plunger will come all the way out of the syringe and you will still lose the copaxone (I've done this too!)

Turn the unit upright and let the syringe come out of the housing.

If you have been successful, the entire syring, cap and all, will come  out.  


You can always call SS and ask them to send you replacements for the ones you lose.  Sometimes they will help and other times they won't.

stick with it - it is worth it!
Lulu

[MsmsinFl]

I did exactly the same thing about 3 weeks into my shots!!  I couldn't believe I wasted $200 worth of meds!

After that, I used the step-by-step instruction paper for a month or 2, until I had a firm routine -- and even then, I've caught myself almost forgetting something like the alcohol wipe etc -- but never wasted a shot since.

Don't beat yourself up.  You have years of success ahead of you -- this is still "training wheels" time.