How an Injection to the Thigh Feels

[Bewitched]

Hi NHE,

I like to take Advil because I am afraid of having liver damage due to the combination of Tylenol and Avonex. My doctor said that he has never seen an Avonex patient with a damaged liver yet. I'll take his word. Anyhow, the second time, I never took the Advil before I went to bed and I was miserable about five hours after injection all day. This time I took the Advil before injection which was about 4:00 PM and then at 10:00 PM before bedtime and I felt fine the next day.

Thanks.

[Sophiesnation]

I started my first treatment of Avonex yesterday. I had a nurse come and assist me because I was nervous doing the first administration alone. When I started inserting the needle into my thigh, I was able to feel the needle sliding in (it did not hurt); however, when I got closer to the bottom, I felt the needle puncture through something. It made me kind of jolt. It wasn't unbearably painful, but I could definitely feel it. Was this the muscle? Is this a normal sensation? Or did I puncture something I shouldn't be puncturing? Help! I don't think anyone can understand what I am saying unless they are doing IM injections themselves.

Hi B.
I just started my treatment with Avonex aswell and I got a two-hour full introduction at my local MS-clinic.
I can comfort you by telling you that what you felt was the needle puncturing the membrane that surrounds the muscle. It is completely normal although some people feel it more "clearly" than others:)
So don't worry, you did everything exactly right!

[Bewitched]

Thank you for explaining! I feel so much better now. I get weary everytime I have to inject my thigh because of that first experience. But, I'm on Week 7 now and am doing fine. The side effects are wearing off (I think and hope). I have not felt the same sensation that I did the first time around upon insertion. I still do get nervous injecting myself. At times, I find myself thinking about it too long before I insert the needle. But, hopefully that anxiety will go away eventually. Good luck with your treatment!