Self Injecting - Is it Hard?

[NYgirl]

I just found out that when I start my treatments later this week I will have to learn to do the self injecting on my own.

I've never done anything like this and am not sure that I can (chicken little is my new name).

Has anybody had any trouble? How did you get over it? Is it hard to do?

Please let me know how I am going to do this. I'm just freaked out as it is about being worried about starting the tx and now this made me even more scared.

Thanks guys.

[dammitjanet]

I'm a little freaked out too.  That's why we're all here.  I haven't started treatment yet so I have no real-life experience to offer you.  I too hate needles; always have.  The dr had to chase me around the office to give me a tetanus shot before I could go to Girl Scout camp.  My mother was mortified!  But, it's one of those things we'll just have to learn.  There is a self-injection video on the Pegasys website (www.pegasys.com). They make it look easy, and, as everyone has said, I'm sure it gets easier each week.  After being on this site for awhile, I'm pretty much convinced that successful treatment is 90% mental.  I have some time before starting tx, so am trying to get my body & mind prepared.  I'm trying everything I can think of to reduce stress - yoga, meditation, long walks on cool evenings.  I figure this is going to be a long, unknown journey, so am trying to keep an open mind before I embark.  With a positive attitude we will get thru this, and, hopefully come out better for it.  DJ
PS - Will someone please remind me of these words about a year from now?  :)

[PasoPerson]

Hi NY - This is the BEST site you will find to get answers to your questions.  Welcome.

I was SO STRESSED for about two months over injecting myself.  And when I saw the needle I just laughed out loud and kept saying, "I CAN DO THIS" over and over.  It is a breeze, it does NOT hurt.  And never forget the most important thing ... YOU ARE WOMAN!

Let us know how it goes.  You will be so relieved after the first one.  I've done 3 now and never had a problem; I did pay close attention to what the NP said the first time she walked me through.  Never forget the pre-injection steps because they are to make a sterile environment for the needle to go in.

God bless -
Carolyn

[cuteus]

are you back on tx? Is this your 2nd round?
I like the syringes a lot better, plus I could draw out ALL the liquid for a little extra push.

[MichaelT]

Please, please relax. You know that you will jab a needle under the skin and press the plunger. It will "sting" a bit. That is all there is to it. You will do well.

Me, on the other hand, suffering from major brain fog, trying to focus on instructions for prepping the redi-pen, took about 20 minutes to figure it out and then stab myself, and moving the needle around because I'm gripping the redi-pen way too hard, did not do so well. The syringes for me were much more convenient and easier to deal with.

So, depending on what you are using...
if the needle is short, say 8mm, just quickly pop it straight in the skin and gently press the plunger.

If the needle is longer, gently grab your skin with about a 1.5 or 2 inch gap between your thumb and forefinger and gently squeeze up a little mound of skin. You will insert the needle into the mounded area at an angle, but you won't need to shove the entire length of the needle in. Press the plunger, withdraw the needle, and release the skin.

I left out the alcohol prep'ing steps. You should get a reasonably clear drawing of doing the injection with instructions. It will quickly become routine and no big deal.

God bless!  -Michael

[carpedi]

Once you've done the first one, the shots will get easier and easier. If you have someone who can be there with you for the first time it might help. My husband always reads the instructions to me (I can say them in my sleep by now!) and he holds ice on the injection site to numb it before I put the needle in. I really don't feel it at all and, (I just did #11 last night),I've even stopped dreading it. It's now "ho, hum...is it really that time again?" You will do fine with it - your fear is the worst part and once you're past that it will stop being a "big deal". Good luck and try to stay calm - it will be ok.

[donAlfonso]

If you go to the Janis7 website, one of the women jokes about being able to give injections while driving.  I don't recommend that, but in no time you'll feel like you could if you had to.  If you get really anxious, your doctor's office should be able to help you.  I have a friend who is a nurse who offered to help me.  I did ask her to give me my hep A/B vaccination injections (which are IM) in the shoulder, as it was just too awkward.  Best of luck with the injections and the treatment.

dA