Question about Rebif Needles

catfreak · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject: Question about Rebif Needles

Do y'all find that your Rebif needles have air in them? Do you push the air out before you inject?

Thanks!

CF

dignan · Family Elder Joined: Aug 12, 2004 Posts: 1186

CF, yes, they are all supposed to have air in them. You aren't supposed to push the air out first. It's not a problem because the injections are just subcutaneous and not into a vein.

catfreak · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the reply. I guess my thinking goes back to my Mom being diabetic and we were told to be sure the was no air or bubbles in her needles when she gave herself insulin.

The Rebif nurse never mentioned the air in the syringe so I never thought about it until I stopped using the Rebiject II and started self injecting.

CF

GeoGuy · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject:

CF,

One more point about the air bubble. It should be the last thing to leave the syringe. My Rebif nurse explained it to me this way - The air pushes all the medication out of the needle so you really inject it all. If it wasn't the last thing through then some of the medication would stay in the needle instead of entering your body. Also, when pushed out relatively fast, the air helps to move the liquid away from the injection site, thereby helping to prevent injection site reactions.

I also gave up the Rebiject after reading a post here last year about injecting "straight". I don't remember who it was, but they gave a couple of tips on how to uncap the needle. First, point the syringe needle-end up and make sure the air bubble is at the top (tap the syringe if you have to). Pull back on the plunger a couple of millimeters and pull off the cap. This prevents formation of a drop of the med on the tip of the needle thereby helping to keep the low pH Rebif from having direct contact with your skin (key to reducing site reactions). Then turn the syringe 180 degrees so that the needle points down and tap lightly to send the air bubble to the top, between the plunger and the liquid. Inject slowly and when you get to the air give a quicker push so the air will push the Rebif away from the injection site. You should be able to hear the air going in.

This method has worked very well for me. Other than red splotches, I haven't had any injection site reactions. Hope this help you to.

Jack
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RRMS since 01/07.

NHE · Volunteer Moderator Joined: Nov 21, 2004 Posts: 760

Hi Catfreak,
I've never done a subcutaneous injection, however, you may want to read my injection technique post in the Avonex forum. Essentially, I found that if I removed all of the air from the syringe, then I couldn't inject all of the medication. There would be about 60 to 75 µL left in the syringe. By keeping some air in the syringe, the air pushes the last bit of solution out of the syringe thereby making sure that I receive the full dosage.

NHE

catfreak · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 6:58 am Post subject:

Ya'll are the best, thanks for all the information.

I think MSLIFELINES thinks you will use the Rebiject forever, but I found it more my way to just to self inject. It's quicker and easier for me anyway. I will try the techniques you both provided and let you know.

Thanks,

CF