First Avonex Injection

This is the real deal...
Thanks again to Lisa for letting me film this for my blog.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• avonex
• interferon
• beta
• 1a
• multiple
• sclerosis
• shot
• injection
• intramuscular
• chronic
• illness
• nurse

[Doc02864]

You can also use a "shot blocker." It is a horse-shoe shaped piece of plastic with little pricks that you place against the skin. It helps to mask the needle as it pierces the skin/muscle.

[librarising79]

@Doc02864 Never heard of it.

[2bsirius]

Excellent job! Now you can just relax...Next week should be easier.

I'm very impressed.

[samgower]

oh wow! You did it and that takes guts! Well done :)

[librarising79]

@mehmus I suggest you take the injection the night before a day off, so you have time to sleep off the side effects. I was taking mine on Saturday night, then I would just take it easy on Sunday before I went back into work on Monday. Are you taking prescription-strength Naproxen before you do the injection?

[librarising79]

@mehmus I'm in the process of switching to Tysabri, but I had been giving myself the Avonex injections in the outer side of my leg, a couple inches above my knee, and that seemed to be working pretty well.

[librarising79]

@mehmus I was told to inject not too slowly and not too fast, cause either way it's gonna hurt. You don't want to do it too far up on your thigh, cause there are more nerve endings up there! Try to keep it closer down to your knee. Just make sure you inspect the fluid in the syringe, make sure it's clear, make sure you use a new clean needle, and make sure you clean the area with alcohol before-hand.

[mehmus]

@2bsirius I've been injecting avonex for nearly 18 months now, it still hurts and I still get bad fevers and insane shivering during my sleep, and I wake up like an absolute zombie the next morning.. some 'herbs' have helped but it's still quite paniful.. question: are you supposed to take time injecting or do you just stick the needle in in one jab?

[dimitrispa1]

your video helped me before my 1st avonex injection:) ty...btw for you that are about to start avonex,keep in mind that the injection doesnt hurt at all despite the size...its gonna be a little creepy when you feel it going through your muscle though...avonex is a helpfull medicine..hope it works for you..and a tip..before getting the shot,hold the injection on your hand for about 10 mins so it will get your body temperature...i think it helps a little bit with the side effects..best wishes...

[usamerican0005]

First off, that was the most remakable "first injection" imaginable. That girl was cool as a cucumber... unreal. I've been on Avonex for 6 years now, and have obviously grown quite comfortable with the injections. But to this day, I go through a ~5 minute deep breathing ritual before "doing the deed." Lisa only needed to contemplate for 5 seconds before taking action. Very impressive!!!!

[onojmai]

it seems there is a lot of misinformation about MS. the nurse here seems to have decent knowledge- but lacks an exhaustive knowledge of current MS treatment, like so many- both neurologists and nurses.

Find a neurologist and nurse team that know's what's up with all the meds- this nurse is misinformed by a fair margin!

with avonex, get a small needle- the 25g in the pack is crap- get a 30g from your doc if you have a good one- it'll help with IM damage/repair.

[TheRockfan68]

I can relate to that! I use Avonex weekly, the side effects are horrible but get better after a while. Thanks for sharing your experience.