Problems with Auto-Injector

Jynepher · Post by **Jynepher** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:41 am

I have been on Rebif for 2 weeks. Everything has worked fine until last night.

I loaded the syringe into the auto-injector, and as I pulled the cap remover off, the entire syringe went flying across the room (fortunately no one was hurt). OK, just one syringe wasted.

I decided to try a second time, thinking maybe it was user error. The same thing happened again. OK, now I'm pissed, I just wasted two.

I went ahead and injected myself the good ol' fashion way. Alright I'll admit my husband had to do it because panic set in. I switched from Avonex to Rebif because I have developed a fear of needles (this coming from someone that, when I had my lumbar puncture before dx, begged them to let me see the needles.)

Anyway, after thinking about it, my husband and I both agreed that when we loaded the syringe into its housing, the spring seemed to have been giving a little too much.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks.

GeoGuy · Post by **GeoGuy** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:41 pm

Jynepher, that's one I haven't heard before!

I've been on Rebif a little over a year and gave up the autoinjector about five months ago just because it is actually easier and faster to inject the old fashioned way. Plus I did have issues with the autoinjector not dispensing the full dose, and it seemed like it always leaked a couple of drops of medication when I pulled the cap remover off. But I never shot a syringe across the room (maybe that could be a new Olympic event - sort of a cross between javelin throwing and archery)

Sounds like you have a faulty autoinjector. Maybe you should contact your Rebif nurse and ask if she (or he) has ever heard of this problem. The nurse should be willing to come to your home and check it for you.

Good luck,

Jack

Jynepher · Post by **Jynepher** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:07 am

Well, I have the answer, and it was user error.

Since this was a costly lesson to learn on my part, I definitely feel the need to share my experience.

We were pulling off the cap remover withouth having the bottom part of the auto-injector attached.

Bottomline, put the auto-injector together completely, and the last step should be taking off the cap. I tried it last night and had no problem with my injection.

EyeDoc · Post by **EyeDoc** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:41 pm

Jynepher wrote:Well, I have the answer, and it was user error.

Since this was a costly lesson to learn on my part, I definitely feel the need to share my experience.

We were pulling off the cap remover withouth having the bottom part of the auto-injector attached.

Bottomline, put the auto-injector together completely, and the last step should be taking off the cap. I tried it last night and had no problem with my injection.

I did this once

I did not screw the other half of the injector and ***WHOOSH*** there goes the needle across the room as soon as I pulled the plastic cap off of the needle. It hit a wall several feet away from me busted. Oops.

Punchy · Post by **Punchy** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:38 pm

You could be Rebif ninjas!