Auto-injector

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:08 pm

I have just taken my 8th Avonex pre-filled injection today, but today was my third with the auto-injector... Wow, it is truly amazing.

I was wondering if what I heard is true, that the auto injector is only available in Canada and Europe. Is this true? I figured the drug makers would make it available wherever the drug is sold, in order to make taking the drug easier. Hence keeping people on it longer.

I hope others would share their experiences with this neet little device, or frustrations at not being able to get their hands on one.

Take care reader,

Ted

sh8un · Post by **sh8un** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:05 am

I was told that the autoinjector is not available in Canada...that was last year though. Not sure if it has become available since. One question...since Avonex is IM...how does the autoinjector aspirate for blood? You would have to do that with IM injections to make sure that you are not in an artery...not that it happens very often. Still...I do my husband does do it every time.

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:54 am

It is available in Canada. I got mine through my nurse that was sent (and paid for) by the MSalliance or Biogen. Im not sure what you mean by "aspirate for blood". If you mean after plunging the needle, the process by which we pull up on the plunger to check for blood, that is done manually after injecting with the auto-injector.

Im not sure how your husband reacts to the anticipation/anxiety of having the needle go in, either by his own hand or yours. The auto-injector takes all of that away. I tried to find the video (online) that came with my Avonex starter kit that showed a demonstration of a girl using the auto-injector. But had no success. I think you live in Calgary, I can mail it out to you if you wish to see the whole process? Let me know.

Ted

sh8un · Post by **sh8un** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:14 pm

Hi Tbone...
The Avonex is atually for me. I am off of it now for a little while since I am going to be trying for a baby. When I go back on it though I will get the autoinjector.and I am sure I can get the vidoe then. Thanx for the info. It would help a great deal. What size is the needle it come with? Can you load you own sizes? I am not a big person so I use smaller needles and was wondering if that is an option??

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:52 pm

I actually take the needle that comes with the pre-filled syringe and put that directly into the autoinjector. Mine come with the 1 and 1/4 inch needle. It wouldnt matter the size of your needle though. I wish I could show you the video so that you could see it in action. If you want, I could send you a video of it by e-mail if you like. There is no way of attaching files through forums

Ted

sh8un · Post by **sh8un** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:34 pm

Hi again,
That needle is too long for me. Can you send me the viseo at neda@shaw.ca? That would be great. I am hope it doesn't show a person smiling as they inject because that would not be me.
NN

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:33 am

Hey, Dont worry. Im gonna use my video camera and just get a short video clip of me using it (not to worry, I wont actually be injecting).... It would be coming from tednehme@gmail.com

Ted

sh8un · Post by **sh8un** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:33 pm

Thank you!!!

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:44 pm

I sent a video and some pics. Im not sure if it illustrates very well how it works. I tried to keep it short so that the video size wouldnt be too big to send. I may make another one!

sh8un · Post by **sh8un** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:31 pm

I got it...thank you. The needle on the outside of the injector makes a lot of sense.

Mandy · Post by **Mandy** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 7:58 pm

Im new to this site, kinda stumbled on it looking for info on Avonex, ill be starting it next week for the first time..

Read that Auto injector is only available in Canada and Europe.. does anyone know if its available in the USA yet, and does it come with the medication or does it need to be ordered seperately??

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:01 pm

Hey, this product is actually harder to find than I thought. So far the only thing I could find is an e-mail address for Union Medico (the makers of the auto-injector). However, they're in Denmark and I dont know if they have anyone receiving the e-mails that can read or reply in English. You can try if you like. It is well worth the "trouble", an amazing product...

mail@unionmedico.com

Good luck, and all the best

Ted

FIESTAFROG · Post by **FIESTAFROG** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:33 pm

This post was a while back so not sure ifyou still are in contact but I am going to be starting meds soon and would be interested in any video information as well. My email is fiestafrog@aol.com

David

bigmike · Post by **bigmike** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:54 am

I am also starting therapy soon and would be interested in any video information with an auto-injector just to give me an idea of what it and the needle looks like as I have no clue. My email is shymike.williams@gmail.com

Thank you very much

mblake · Post by **mblake** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:24 pm

hi

Im new to ms and my ms nurse came to my come (im from ireland by the way) and gave me the prefilled avonex needle and the autoinjector and i have to say its a great thing. I would never be able to inject that hard with a needle it makes it soo much easier. Also another tip put a cube of ice in tissue and leave it on the place where your going to inject for about 3 mins and it totally numbs your leg you dont even feel the needle injecting its great!!

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Auto injector in USA

Union Medico