Overcoming Fear Of Needles/Self Injecting

[NewandConfused]

As a lot of you know my husband has recently been diagnosed and we are currently in the process of getting everything in order to start treatment. In the process I have been reading all of your posts and absorbing as much as I can.  I have not noticed a lot written about this but it is a huge issue for us so I have to ask.  I am deathly and I mean deathly afraid of all and everything medical including drs and of course needles.  I am in a panic even thinking that I too should be tested and the thought of having to endure treatment is terrifying to me.  I know the chances are slim and I hope for the best but after being married 8 years and together 8 more before I am sure at some point in time we might of grabbed the wrong toothbrush and I know we have shared a nail clipper, etc. Anyway, although hubby does not suffer from these fears he admitted to me that he is just not sure he can go through with self-injection.  I obviously can not help him.  We spoke with the nurse about this and she does not seem to think there is a problem.  She showed him how to use the needle, etc. and told him that if he wanted after we get the meds he could bring the first one in - but that was the extent of the conversation.  I am scared that we will start this and he won't be able to do the injection...we had planned to do the injections Friday night when there is no help available.  I guess my question is did any of you have similar problems?  How did you handle them?  Are there any alternatives such as going in weekly for injection?  Any advice/help/suggestions would be so greatly appreciated. I know this seems like such a small hurdle in the scheme of things - but for us it is a huge one standing in the way of beginning treatment.

[IAmTheWalrus]

Roche has a guide to self injection of Pegasys that is helpful. I did my first injection in front of the computer screen following step-by-step. Seems complicated at first, but after a few times, it is not a big deal.

Also there is a video here that shows how to do it.

http://www.hepfi.org/nnac/pdf/selfinject.pdf
http://www.pegasys.com/injecting/how-to-inject-pegasys.aspx

btw - I had hep c for all of my married life. I found out after being married for over 25 years and having 5 children with my wife. She has not been infected. I know she used my razor a lot also! So, don't be too concerned, but get tested for the peace of mind and use a few precautions. You can find out more about this topic looking in the archives here.

There are lots of folks here on this forum that are glad to help you.

Good luck,
Brent

[rita863]

we are with you!

peace
rita

[scratchinghead]

this too, shall pass

[NewandConfused]

Thank you all so much for the encouraging words - perhaps we will be able to get past this somehow.  I guess we just need to do this one tiny step at a time!  Starting with actually getting the meds... what a nightmare this whole thing has become.  I never would of thought we would be anxious to be able to start treatment!  Please keep the tips and advice coming - they are all appreciated!

[NewandConfused]

I can so relate to your daughter!  I would be laying on the floor right there beside her! And that is not to mention the severe panic that sets in days before the actual appt!  I just can not control nor help it despite any and all efforts - have no idea when it started or where it came from, but I think its here to stay!  

[nygirl7]

I was petrified myself....but by the end it was no problem.  Once you get into your head that what you are doing is SAVING your life it sort of helps. After the first few injections you'll be like an old pro.

Don't worry too much about technical aspects of the whole thing...I started out by taking that needle, pinching my skin on my thigh and then closing my eyes and jamming it in and hitting the plunger.  REALLY.  The needle is really really REALLY tiny - you aren't going to be hitting veins or anything like that with it.  Just do whatever you have to get that medication IN - don't worry about how pretty it looks when you do it, closing my eyes the first few times sounds stupid but.....it helped.

Oh yeah and the best advice I got..........get the instructions out and go along with them each and every time until you are an absolute pro. You'd be shocked to know that the first few times I didnt and the phone rang or a kid came in and asked a question or something - I totally lost my place and started to freak out.

Following along with the instructions really did help me with peace of mind.

Good luck. You can do it you'll see in no time it will be nothing at all.

After he does the first one with the nurse at the office..........it will be ok.  

[marsfreek]

hey I could stick all of y'all with needles and not even flinch, but when it comes to sticking me now that is a problem. lol
i did 52 weeks peg intron , now on infergen, 1 shot daily  so i am getting lots of practice.

[rita863]

It is scary the first couple of times, My husband does my injections and he did act very brave doing it which in turn eased my fear of the shot. My nurse practioner did the first shot and showed my hussband how to do it. Be in Charges was also a great help when he did the next shot we called and they talk my husband through it.  Now its just something we do on friday nights,  (instead of going out).  

About being infected.  I probally became infected between 1988 and 1995, my first husband was a intervenous drug user and thats how i got.  My second husband has been tested and does not have it.  We do not have protected sex.  (well since TX we really dont have sex).  My daughter who is 19 is not infected.

I know your fear my daughter actually passes out if she needs to get a blood test.  

Just try and talk to you nurse practioner and see if there is something they can do to help you with this.  

good luck!

peace
rita

[Survivin52]

It will be OK. You should do the first injection with the Nurse, they should give you a Video or DVD that shows the process also. I would say the worse of it is hesitation, just try not to hestitate, just get yourself ready and follow thorugh and everything will be alright, it won't hurt. I was afraid at firt also at first, but I have now gone through the treatment 4 times since 1998 and it gets easier to give the injections each time you do it.
Also, I have been married for 32 years and we believe I contracted the HCV about 37 years ago, but it didn't really start to activate and do damage until 1998. My wife was tested, 3 grandchildren and a daughter, and all came up negative. It is good to get tested though, just to make sure and just remember, even when a person is exposed to the virus in the worse case scenario, does not mean they will get the virus, but there is literature that the doctor should give you guys that explains all the do's and don'ts. Also, the Be In Charge Program is very good and they are there to assist you,  Good Luck.
Survivin52
Kevin

[sfwandwow]

yes it is scary but after one or two injections u become ur own nurse..

[Trinity4]

My hands would actually shake the first couple of times.  After that, it just became routine. It doesn't hurt and a several times I've whacked a capillary and bruised pretty good but it still didn't hurt.  Try not to let your fears cross over to hubby.  He needs your support and you don't have to put on the happy face everytime he injects but try to remain calm and that will give him more confidence as well.   Definitely let the nurse give him the first injection.  It really isn't as big deal and he will become a pro like the rest of us very soon.  Good Luck
Trinity

[suzeeeq]

My husband and I have been together for almost 19 years.  I suspect I contracted HepC during a blood transfusion in the early 80's.  He also received a blood transfusion in the late 80's and I thought maybe I got it from him.  He was tested after I was diagnosed last August and he is negative.  I suggest you go get the test so you can clear you mind.

I start tx on Friday and I went to the doctor today and got my meds and learned how to do the injections.  I have to say before this appointment I was terrified about giving myself shots but I now think that it is going to be very easy.  The needles are small and it is set up to be very simple.  No measuring just open and inject.  

Good Luck to you and your husband.  This site has been a great place for me to go.

[Pugnacious]

You should certainly go to the nurse for the first one.  Have the nurse show you how to pinch up the skin and insert the needle at an angle.  I know I was every bit as nervous about it as you and your husband are....and I have successfully completed 9 injections.  Also, sign up with the BeInCharge program that has nurses available 24/7 to answer questions or actually walk you through each injection from start to finish.  I follow the written directions to a "T" and so far haven't had any problems.  It really doesn't hurt.  I don't look forward to it, by any means, but its not as bad as I had feared.  

[pigeonca]

All I can tell you is that most of us here were scared at first to give ourselves injections.  But the needle is really tiny and you can hardly feel it.  I would say that plucking eyebrows hurts more.  He'll do fine.

I would definitely suggest doing the first one with the nurse if you  guys still feel anxious.