HealingWell
Search Close Search

Going to Injection Training tomorrow....

HealingWell Forum
>
Diseases & Conditions
>
Multiple Sclerosis
>
Going to Injection Training tomorrow....  
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/20/2007 1:49 PM (GMT -6)
So, tomorrow is the other big day...  confused
 
     I go back to the MS clinic for randomization ( a computer generates a code which will be my name through-out the study, and decides whether I get 20mg or 40mg of copaxone).   Then I get trained on how to inject myself, and give myself my first shot.   I have to stay a hour afterwards to make sure all goes well. 
 
     Needless to say, I'm scared to death.   It's not about the needles.   It's not about any pain.  I have always had allergic and/or adverse side effects which are not pleasant.  I'm hoping none of which will happen.  But I do understand that one of the rare adverse side effects, happens right after injection, and lasts about 10-15 minutes.  That, i think i can deal with.  It's the unknown that scares me. 
 
     If anyone knows of questions I should ask, or any advise that would help with the anxiety, I would love to hear from you.  My Hubby will be going with me.  I'm not a praying woman, but I guess it wouldn't hurt,  huh? 
 
     Thanks for being there. 
 
Hugs,
Bonnie
Life Can Be A Challenge.... 
 Expect The Un-expected....
Live Everyday As If It Were Your Last.

Posted 3/20/2007 2:21 PM (GMT -6)
Good Luck Bonnie! I have no advice but I hope all goes well tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you.
I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.
  Author: Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), 28th U.S. President

Posted 3/20/2007 2:33 PM (GMT -6)
I think there are lots of things in life that are more intimidating in the thinking about them, or imagining what they might be like...than in the actual event itself.  Injecting is one of them. I think most of us freaked out at first, at the thought of having to do that....but it becomes easy, over time, almost "habit", and not such a big deal.  I hope that will be true for you.  As for the adverse side effect -- of course you know that doesn't happen for everyone, and you'll be surrounded by medical people so if you should be one of the unfortunate ones which it DOES happen to...they'll be able to assist you right away.  Good luck, tomorrow!
...I am not a doctor, nor health professional, and don't pretend to be one, here.....

Posted 3/20/2007 2:34 PM (GMT -6)
No advice either...but thinking of you! Good luck!
Posted 3/20/2007 4:09 PM (GMT -6)
Hey Bonnie!

YAHOOO!!!! Courage + Training + Info = CONTROL over u'r situation! I am a praying woman and will be praying with and for u friend. U'll do great and in no time at all u'll look back on this and think how far u've come. I can't wait to hear how well it went! ;)
rhonda
Co-Moderator, MS Forum
 
*~*Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.*~*

Posted 3/20/2007 5:08 PM (GMT -6)
Rhonda,

Thats what I needed. LOL. You made me smile and laugh. I shouldn't really have a problem. Iive learned to give shots through my training. Thanks to all of you wishing me well and good luck. It helps to tell people what you are going through and just knowing that you'll all be here if I need you.

Uppity,

I can always count on you to be open and honest. I can look at a person not breathing, and no pulse and know what to do with out fear. I can do this. Yes, I will be in the best hospital in NH, and if things go bad, your right, i will be in the right place.

Thank you,
Hugs
Bonnie
Life Can Be A Challenge.... 
 Expect The Un-expected....
Live Everyday As If It Were Your Last.

Posted 3/20/2007 7:25 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Bonnie,
 
   We'll all be here rooting you on!  Best of luck tomorrow, it really does sound like you are in good hands and they'll be watching for any problems.  Please let us know how things go.
 
 
Kimber
 
Co-moderator for Multiple Sclerosis
 
Allow Healing Well to continue to help others, clink link for details
Posted 3/20/2007 10:41 PM (GMT -6)
Well Bonnie, as Rhonda said, I am also a praying woman and I will keep you uplifted in prayer. I've been on Copaxone since January and aside from injection site reactions, (swelling, stinging, and itching) all is well. I KNOW you will be fine. You've got a whole NETWORK on your side. Keep us posted. Be sure to ask about the Autoject2. It works well for me, and makes the actual injection a little easier. I got mine free through Shared Solutions. They are awesome.
Posted 3/22/2007 9:17 AM (GMT -6)
Hello Friends,

Well, I did my first injection. It went well. I don't recall ever being stung, so I can't say it felt like that. It had burning, itching, and pain. This happened about 15 minutes after the injection. I had a golf ball size lump and it was red, but after an hour, just the lump was there. This morning I can't see where I did it (belly) but it only aches a little. Can't get the auto inject, because of the type of study it is. They did tell me that I could have the adverse side effedt any time. But I am ok with the thought.

I told them about my crampy stiff legs. I do take baclofen for this, but only at night, when I'm not working cause it knocks me out. So they put me on another med Gabapentin, This is in addition to the baclofen. I will be taking it 3 times a day. I'm not sure when to take my other injection. They said I can take it any time.

They fought with my insurance yesterday. Provigil is what they prescribed for my fatigue, but the insurance said they would decide if I needed it or not. I don't know how they can do that. But anyhow.......

Thank you all for being there for me. You don't know how much it means to me to have you all there for me.

Hugs
Bonnie
Life Can Be A Challenge.... 
 Expect The Un-expected....
Live Everyday As If It Were Your Last.

Posted 3/22/2007 10:48 AM (GMT -6)
Hey Bonnie!!

GOOD GOING!!! Sounds like it went very well and i'm so glad for u! Do u take the injections once weekly or daily or what? Not sure i understand them saying to take the other injection anytime? Provigil is a little hard to get from ins companies sometimes. Seems they don't like to pay for it. :( Maybe an alternative is Ritilin. Some here have used it and had very high sucess. Hang in there on the meds and if u need to, push the ins company, but don't let them leaving u holding the bag on it. Thanks for the update...i was wondering last night! :)
rhonda
Co-Moderator, MS Forum
 
*~*Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.*~*

Posted 3/22/2007 8:08 PM (GMT -6)
Rhonda,

I take the injections daily. They would like to see them taken at the same time everyday, but they said a 4-5 hour window is good. I did my second one today, with a little bit of punky feeling afterwards. You know that feeling you get right before you get sick. Little bit of a welt, I did it in my L thigh this time. Made a chart that i check off for each spot, for everyday. That way I can keep track of my rotations. Will have to bring tomorrows dose with me to work tomorrow.

Thank you for keeping in your thoughts. You all are the greatest.

Hugs
Bonnie
Life Can Be A Challenge.... 
 Expect The Un-expected....
Live Everyday As If It Were Your Last.

Posted 3/22/2007 8:56 PM (GMT -6)
I do the Copaxone injections daily and have that same burning, itching feeling for about 15 mins. ICE, ICE, ICE! It will sting like heck for the first 5 mins or so but it really helps with the swelling. I filed for divorce last week (don't EVEN ask!) so I'm trying to "Bring sexy back!" I have a 15 year old daughter and I guess that a song by Justin Timberlake. :-) Just wanted to make you smile a little. Thanks for keeping us in the loop! We really do care.

Ohhhh yeah, I also take Ritalin to help with the fatigue and it helps a lot!!! It took a minute, but it kicked in by the 2nd week. It's an option, and you know we LOVE options! :-)
Posted 3/22/2007 9:02 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Bonnie,
 
    It sounds like it went well for you!  You probably will be able to handle the manual thing pretty well with what you do for a living, and hopefully it will get easier and easier for you! 
 
    I hope the added medication helps with your spasticity, please keep us posted!  It's weird how some insurance companies are about the provigil, lets hope they see the light and approve it for you.  If not, as others have said Ritalin is a good option, and a lot cheaper too. 
 
    Good luck on your next injection!  I know you will do great!
 
Kimber
 
Co-moderator for Multiple Sclerosis
 
Allow Healing Well to continue to help others, clink link for details
Posted 3/22/2007 9:40 PM (GMT -6)

hey Bonnie,

I am so proud of you!!!!  Way to go.  I use copaxone too and I do not use the auto-inject.  I have never had a problem with the injections.  The local reaction got better for me after a week or so.  I don't even think about it anymore.  occassionally, I will get a little tight and wheezy but usually there is no reaction other than just a bit of pain.  Good luck with your other meds and insurance.

I am ready for another classic 'Bonnie and the fire fighter training' story.  Keep 'em coming!  I love them!!

 

Love and prayers

 

Gretchen
 
diagnosed: MS  July 2006
Treatment: copaxone, prayer, laughter, and positive thinking

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply

Forum Information

Currently it is Thursday, October 18, 2018 9:22 PM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 3,013,065 posts in 329,996 threads.
View Active Topics

Who's Online

This forum has 161912 registered members. Please welcome our newest member, Bobby311.
199 Guest(s), 10 Registered Member(s) are currently online.  Details
logoslidat, HeartsinPain , Nytngale , brrogers10 , Vdang2k , MG0351 , Girlie , Homeboy , 61Impala , MK1965