by Needled » Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:31 am
Hi LR, When my supplies arrived, I cried for days. I refused to open the box and put it under a table so I didn't have to look at it. It was stark evidence staring me in the face (if I were going to look at it!) that this was very real. I hope you have a Copaxone nurse coming out to show you how to do the injections? If not, call them and arrange that. As for it not doing anything, I know how you feel on that one, too. But I guess I'm just too afraid not to do it, to at least try it, and see how it goes. And my other thought on that was if I'm going through this trauma every day, the shots d*amn well better be doing something. I try to make my mad work for me. I think it is, because fingers' crossed, I haven't had a relapse in the three years I've been taking it.
As for the shots -- hah!! My name isn't Needled for nothin'! I HATE shots, always have, always will. But here's the big but -- you develop a routine and it becomes just something you have to do. It doesn't take more than 10 minutes from start to finish. 2 minutes to let the area dry from the alcohol wipe (although my husband insists 30 seconds is plenty of time, he's not the needle-phobe getting the shot), 10 seconds for the actual shot, 2 minutes of holding a cotton pad on the shot, just because it feels better for me, put you're stuff away, and you're done. I just refused to let a 10-second shot ruin my entire day. Don't get me wrong -- I'll give it up in a heartbeat and do my version of a happy dance when that day comes. Until then, one day at a time.
And here's my tip for figuring out the injection areas -- when the nurse comes, ask her to draw the injection areas on you with a eyebrow pencil. She might look at you funny, but insist on it. Then if you have a digital camera, take pictures so you always have a reference point. I have other tips which I'd be happy to share if you'd like. Good Luck!!