Copaxone is here, and I have a dorky question :-)

[lovemy6monkeys]

The medicine just came (I haven't opened the package yet). The autoinject came a while ago, and I have an appointment with the SS nurse for Saturday afternoon for her to teach me and DH how to do the shots.

My dorky question, for all those with little ones in the house:

What, if anything, have to told your little ones about the medicine? I'm going to be open and honest about it being my MS medicine, but I worry since it has to be kept in the fridge that they might get curious and try to touch it. Not so much the older ones, and the baby has no access to the kitchen, but my 3 & 5 year-olds I'm worried about.

Do you guys try to hide your medicine? Has it not been an issue?

Thanks for any suggestions! I'd hate to have any of this "liquid gold" ruined by curious little hands :-)
~Jess

[lmeiser45]

Shared Solutions has a free children's book that says, "My mommy has MS."  as well as the exact same book for, "My daddy has MS."  I have a 3 & 5 year old.  I asked them if I could have 2 copies of it.  When I read it to them, they kind of say, I know mommy, I know.  I gave my other copy to my preschool teacher who reads it also and she says they really get into the book!  They pay attention and tell her all about what it is that mommy has to do for her shots as well as some of the symptoms I have.  They also have a Free travel case for when you travel as well as a Yoga DVD for people with MS.  I agree.... the locked boxes they gave broke... and it wasn't worth my time. I keep the meds in the fridge, but pull out a week supply in advance so they are not cold when I inject (recommended by my neuro).  My kids really know about my shots and have never once touched them. My oldest would watch when I injected and was really curious.  In the beginning it hurt so bad, but now, not so much.  He really tells his little sister about it and how we have to be careful.

Good luck!  oh... I forgot to say... they also have the "My mommy has MS" as a powerpoint so you can show it on the computer too where teh kids can click the spacebar and really get into the book.  

Leah

[michelleric]

Hi Jess,

One thing about the lock box from  SS.  It doesn't work well. I wouldn't rely on that to keep little ones out.  My younger ones opened it in about 6 seconds flat and they all broke in minutes.  They are made very cheaply and I wouldn't trust them. (In my opinion).  You can get a better lock/safe at walmart/target, that would work much better.

My kids are older, finally, with my youngest being 7 and next one up is 8.  I keep my meds on the top shelf in the refrigerator, in the back, way in the back.  

I do recommend on thing. If u get a 3 month supply, I would invest in a small refrigerator (like a dorm size), that locks.  You could keep all your meds in there, and also have a small sharps container. If u dont have a small red sharp container, you can also use a metal coffee tin, and when done, tape the down tightly before you throw out.

Well, that is all I can think of at the moment.  I would also talk to them, and tell them these are mommies things and they are dangerous for children. (You can tell them you take them to help you feel well.)  You 5 year old should understand this, and at least it tells them to stay away.

With that said, keep it way up high.  The good thing is they are shots, and I assume they hopefully wont want to play with them??

Good luck to you    ~ Michelle

[jujuminx]

Jess-
  I just spoke with a SS rep two days ago and Lulu is right, they have a lock box they can send you (for free) to keep little ones out of your meds.  You definately want to keep your sharp container out of reach, like on top of the frig or in a high cabinet.  It's big and red, which means it will be too hard for little ones to resist.

  Good luck.  I am on day 7 of shots and so far, so good.

  Julie

[Sailorsong]

Jen,

  My dad kept his used syring box on top of the refrigerator. It is high enough to keep little ones out of it.

Dennis

[jensequitur]

The biggest worry I would have is disposing of the syringes after use.  I get a disposal box from Aetna, and I guess when I fill it up I'll get another.  But it doesn't lock, so a little one could get in there if they really wanted to.

[Lulu54]

Jess,
Shared Solutions used to have, and I assume they still do, a plastic storage box that they can send for the medicine.  It has a  strange little plastic key that isn't really a serious lock but is enough to keep little fingers out of.  It holds 5 strips of syringes (25 shots) - leaving one strip I put in my pouch to us.


Call them yet today and ask them to send it to you.  If you are getting a 90 day supply at a time, ask for 3 boxes.

This med is also stable on the shelf for up to 30 days - you could stash this someplace out of reach and sight.

I have no little ones at home so this is not an issue for me.  don't worry, you will be sure to waste some of that liquid gold on your very own... we all have done it in various fashion.

be well, Lulu