This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hi guys, thanks for the fantastic responses.

It seems as if we shouldn’t attempt to even miss a day, and it's fast becoming clear that I will have to arrange something if I cannot do the injections.

WonderfulWorld: She doesn't do them because she's too scared. She closes her eyes and looks away even when I’m administering them. I'm trying to help overcome this by letting her get used to the pain itself. once her body becomes used to it, i will try to ease her in to administering the injection herself.

We have the auto-inject; I might even try the auto-inject myself tonight - then show her how to use it. we have about 5 days before I leave for the trip so I'll let u all know how we get on.

Thanks for the feedback once again.

d4, Really, try to AutoInjecter. I still get creeped out when I see the actual shot, but once it's hidden away in the tube, it won't be as bad for her because she won't see it. I think the easiet place for her to practice is her stomach. Again, it's creepy to think of it, but it has the most fat and it's the easist place to reach, and it's become the area I dislike the least. Alot of people have problems with their thighs because there's not as much fat, and I find my arms too difficult to do myself. And I can't reach back and do my butt so that's hubby's job, too. BTW, if anyone has any tips on doing arms, I'd appreciate them!
One other idea -- is your wife mobile and could she go to her doctor's office and have them do the shot for her a couple of days?

D4vinder
I really feel for your wife. It is scary. If you'd told me 10 years ago I'd do the injections in 10 seconds and feel no fear, I really wouldn't have believed you. I use the Autoinject all the time.I have never been able to give myself an injection but the Autoinject works really well.

Make sure you set the depth correctly - it's the little windy bit on the top of the tube. If your wife is normal sized, set it about 6-8. If she's a larger lady set it a bit deeper. If thinner, then only 4-6. These are not set guidelines! - just my own experience so it may be different for her. If you ask the Copaxone nurse they will advise you.

The other thing is that while you're away your wife could get a topical anaesthetic cream from your chemist called "Emla" cream - at least it's called that in Europe. You smear a blob on the area you're about to inject and then you cover the area with a clear plaster. Wait 30 mins, wipe the cream off. The area will be totally numb. It might help her transition to being able to cope with the autoinject.
I bet soon she will be doing the injections on her own just fine.
Sorry, just to add I have never used an alcohol wipe. We are not supplied with them in Ireland and have been told not to use them. I think they are provided in the US more because the patient thinks they will help..........

I have only been giving myself injections since about April or May, but this is what I have found.

-I give my injections in the morning. I get a pretty bad sting about 10 seconds after the injection that lasts for quite awhile 15-20 minutes(?) Luckily, I have a lot of things to do in the morning. I just get busy, and that is that.
-At first, I really depended on the auto-inject. But after a while, I got sick of setting it up, wiping it down, and putting it away. The first couple of times without it really were a little tense, but that needle is soooo small. It really is.
-My least hated spot to inject is my stomach. I try not to loose weight, as I want to keep this spot. I made the mistake of injecting below my belly button on a day I wore jeans. Man, that zipper just about killed me. Watch out for that.
-My most hated spot is my arms. I try to get my daughter to help me. If I can't, I use the injector. The first nurse showed me to use the back of a chair to press the fat up. My arms are thin and this made the fat 'tight' and I got really bad reactions. The phone nurse said to extend your arm, palm up, and inject into the hanging fat. It is really hard for me to push the trigger in this position. I set the bottom of the injector on the counter and put my arm on top of it and hold the crazy thing sort of upside down. Then I struggle like crazy to get that thing to inject. I hate arms.
-My thighs are pretty easy, lots of fat there. Don't feel bad about hitting a vein. It happens to me too, even though I really try not to. I live in AZ and we wear shorts most of the year. Those huge bruises are a bummer.
-I don't have any advice about missing days. I try not too.

I did want to say that is wonderful that you are taking care of your wife. I am sure she really appreciates you. I get pretty short tempered with all of this going on. Even though no one can see my ms issues, they bug me and always having all these swelled up, aching site reactions doesn't help. If she seems short, don't take it personally, she probably doesn't even realize. Hang in there.

Hi Guys

Im back from my trip abroad and my wife took the plunge and decided to use the Auto-Injector while I was away!

She was very very brave and now self injects. I got the feeling she felt fully indepedant again and this showed me a boost in her self confidence, Her MS is no longer a disability for her!

Im VERY VERY proud of her!

d4v and Mrs. d4v, Awesome!! That's a tremendous accomplishment. You should both be proud. I've been where you are Mrs. d4v, so I know how hard it was to do. I also know it gives you a sense of self to be able to do it yourself and not HAVE to rely on someone else, as wonderful as it is to have someone there for you. It sounds like you're both doing very well. Really, I'm very happy for you both.

Oh that's great news D4. Well done to your wife.

d4vinder wrote:She was very very brave and now self injects. Her MS is no longer a disability for her! Im VERY VERY proud of her!

Congrats!!!
It is the best new of this week!