Side Effects of Prilosec OTC and Use for Other Subjects

[2irish]

Was taking prolosec OTC and was on my 4th day (it worked!) when i got taken off because it was affecting my eyes and making me dizzy.  anyone have any experience with this?  I did nexium for 30 days, didn't work so well.  

Also, Jim, could you tell me what your sx from procrit are?  You mentioned something about it the other day.  

FEEL FREE TO HIJACK...Wanted to open a thread because someone was having trouble doing so!

[jmjm530]

Regarding changing needles and needle size -- a lot of folks use a larger needle to draw the meds out but then switch to a smaller size and guage for the actual shot.

[jmjm530]

I use 27 guage 1/2" inch needles for my shots. A 1" needle is often used for intramuscular injections and you don't want to do that. I also use a 3ml barrel which affords plenty of room to draw in the meds, get rid of any bubbles, etc, and also is easier to handle than some of the smaller insulin barrels.

Tell your druggist you want the B-D Luer-Lok system. Needles and barrels are interchangeable -- they screw on and off in a second.  That way you can use the the larger 3ml barrel with smaller needles. 1/2 " should be the correct length. I think 27 gauge is standard but you could experiment with a smaller 29 gauge as well.

If you're penetrating rubber stoppers as with Procrit (make sure to  alcolhol wipe them down) the needles can dull. What some people do then is draw the meds out with one needle and then swap to a new needle while the barrel is full. For this reason, ask your pharmacist for twice the amount of needles per injection.

All the best.

-- Jim

[Magnum]

Just got back from the pharmcist who gave me two syringes to try out, that have big one inch or longer needles. I can't use them at one a day for possibly 48 weeks. I called and told him. He will try to order smaller needles and larger syringes.

Magnum

[jmjm530]

Goofy,

Glad you're feeling better without the Aciphex. Sounded like it may have benefited you early in tx when nausea can be rampant but wasn't necessary later since you didn't seem to have classical GERD or reflux. Regarding BP, actually it's the highest first thing in the morning when you get up. Not coincidentally, that's also when your heart attack risk is the greatest.

Chevy,

Yes, things do slow down as you approach end, perhaps some sort of Interferon warped Einsteinian time/space phenomena. The other thing -- with me at least -- is integrating "real world" stuff (work/thoughts/relationships) back into my life. I literally had to block all that out during most of treatment. And yes again about misinformation on these boards. Unless you're willing to independently check things out, you're better off following your doctor's advice -- however imperfect -- than that what you get on forums like this which tend to be riddled with too much personal bias and personal agendas.

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

I have found that the knowledge I've gainned in here has helped me to talk things through with my doctor so VERY much!  And for that I am so grateful to some of the people on this forum.

I would NOT consider treating via the internet though and hope that you all are right and nobody would consider using just info on the net and NOT instead using their doctors wisdom.

I've found that my doctor is generally open minded and when he isn't up on some current info or treatment approach if I can bring it to him and speak knowledgably...he is willing to work with me.

THAT has been the biggest blessing of all.  Besides the constant support and encouragement in here.
:)

[honey11]

Hey Don,,,So glad to see you here today.  How ya feeling these days?  I hope better as I know the tx was rough at times for you.  Are you planning on tx again after a much needed break? I wish you the best and always look forward to seeing you at Medhelp! Best Wishes for 2006!