This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello! I think it’s about time I got my nerve up to post on TIMS. I’ve been a stealth member for almost 3 years now. I check in very often, and I’ve learned A LOT from everyone here. I found this board soon after I was diagnosed in April 2006. Jeez, was that ever a surprise! Before my first and only episode (although looking back, I now recognize other minor flares), I was the healthiest person I knew. I still am, if you discount the whole MS mess. I was pretty easy to diagnose as I could barely walk, the MRI’s of my brain and spine showed multiple active lesions, I had major spasticity, etc. All the tests and symptoms pointed to MS, and they still do. I knew I was in trouble when I went to see my PCP, and after examining me a bit, he said, “Wait here. I’m going to call the neurologist for you.” He came back 5 minutes later, and sure enough I had an appointment the next day at noon. The rest is history. I decided on Copaxone with its daily injections, despite my LIFELONG and OVERWHELMING FEAR of needles, and I’m happy to say I haven’t had a relapse since. So I guess things are as good as they can be. Believe me, though, I’m counting the days until a safe and effective pill is available.
Anyway, an official “hello” to everyone from a “newbie” with some experience under her belt.

Hi firstly wow you are brave and I take some strength from you but still don't know how I could cope with daily injection if and when I get diagnosed with MS.

I have placed a subject under the general part under please help I'm scared.

Welcome to you even though I only signed up last week.

As I said in my first post I am not diagnosed but show a lot of symptoms for MS, seeing the Neuro on Friday and am very scared.

This site is amazing and positive and has compasionate people on it.

Hugs
Jules

Shouldn't you be out somewhere today singing the national anthem?

I am a huge needle-phobe too, and went on rebif; but quit four months later. The thing that made it bearable for me was a product I could buy from the pharmacy without a prescription. It is called Emla (the cream is more economical, I still use the patches for blood tests). It is a rub on local anesthesia, that takes away the sting of the needle.

Hi Jules, Believe it or not, your posts were one of the reasons I finally got off my duff and on the fourm so I could post. I recognize and understand the trauma of anyone who’s afraid of needles. But as many others have said, don't get too far ahead of yourself. Wait and see how it all develops. If it does come to pass that you ever did decide to do injections of some sort, all I can say is that I got used to it. I still don't like it, and I never will, but I don't spend all day agonizing over it. It's all in my head, I know that, because the injections don't really hurt. I get some lumps, bumps and occasional bruising, but that's about it. So it really makes no sense. You find a way to get through it. I think what finally did it for me was that I got tired of myself and just decided I wasn’t going to let a 10-second shot ruin my whole day, every day, for the foreseeable future. We’ve all got more important issues to deal with than a dumb needle, at least that’s what I tell myself if I start feeling freaky about it. So I get thru the whole shot thing by using the AutoInject and not thinking about it.
Good luck on your visit Friday. Hopefully you’ll get some answers and then you can figure out the best way to deal with your circumstances.

Hi Cure, Like I said to Jules, the shots barely hurt. But I do appreciate your suggestion, and I’ll definitely keep it in mind. The Copaxone is now more of a very inconvenient routine with annoying side effects that I will give up in a heartbeat as soon as a decent pill comes out. It’s just the way I am. Ever since I was a kid I’ve had a terrible fear of needles and have never liked doctors and any medical stuff. I can’t even watch medical shows on TV. When I was diagnosed, the neuro wanted me to do a 5-day course of Solumedrol. When I found it was an IV, AND we had to do it at home, I think I went into shock. I wasn’t even thinking about the MS diagnosis because I was so wigged out about the home IV thing. Are you kidding me? Don’t people have to have training and licenses to stick needles and pump drugs into your veins? And they wanted us to do this at home, with one day of training from the nurses? The whole thing is barbaric. Once we (my husband and I) got through that, then we started dealing with everything else. It all worked out in the end, though. I’m still here.

Hi Needled,

I too learned to get over the massive fear of needles when I started on Rebif. I even chunked the auto-injector because it was more trouble than it was worth. I been on Rebif for 8 months now and I hate it but like some of the others, a pill should be out soon and I can tolerate this as long as I have that hope.

Welcome from someone who has learned to bear my MS with the help of the fine folks here at TIMS.

CF

Firstly we didn't do much yesterday Australia Day, too hot and humid and yep makes me worse.

Tennis in the air con on the tv was better option.

I will take all the comments here on board and commend all of you for what I see as bravery, you would be surprised how many people don't understand the needle phobia. It seems ok to be scared of spiders, snakes you name it but hey do you have to have those on you every day or any day to help you with your health or life?
Of course not stay out of the bush and keep fly spray handy, it's that easy.

I have had a huntsmen crawl up my arm, a bird eating spider on my back which bit me twice of course unwanted. Held a massive python, massive around my neck and held a crocodile (bab) and I would do this all over again even the unwanted ones just to get out of having a spinal tap done I survived and know it would allow me to survive easier than the ST.....

Hope I have give you all a laugh......................

ew i wouldn't check the mail the whole time i was in oz in case of a huntsman getting in there during the night lol!

your obviously a cup-half-full girl. whos to say the night didn't give him a chance to get out.

lol! during the day, during the night, whenever he got in there i wasn't interested. it's cute that the mail delivery crew have scooters. in my neighbourhood they have to walk

I'm surprised you didn't make the connection, that it was because the spiders could only run so fast.

LOL! i tried to find a picture or two but didn't find the right stuff... laughed a lot trying though... e.g. the 'australia world naked bike ride'

By the sounds you were "distracted", and found another avenue of "entertainment"....

haha! image search 'australia scooter race' you will probably find the gem i refer to lol