Migraine

I've been started on a new set of abortives, which include some intramuscular injections. I was trained to self-administer the shots and have done OK so far (it's only been 10 days or so), but I'm wondering if anybody else out there has tips or tricks about the injections, how to carry the stuff around, etc.

I finally sort of cobbled together a little kit to carry around with me. Turns out that a syringe fits neatly into a toothbrush holder (who knew). I have also figured out the reason they give you so many extra syringes - there is definitely a learning curve and I've spoiled quite a few with rookie mistakes.

Any help out there? Anyone else stabbing themselves with these big long needles?

I was initially startled when my doctor suggested this as an option, but it sure saves a trip to the ER or my doctor's office. I still get a little (ok, a lot) shaky feeling when I unsheath that needle and get ready to do the stick.

I did condense my written instructions that I was given into a little bullet list, and I read it out loud as I go through the procedure to kind of keep me focused, and I tell myself "good job" or "nice work" out loud. Sounds silly, but it makes me feel like the nurse who taught me to do the injection is standing over me and coaching me.

I just this week did my first self-injection. I think the one piece of advice the nurse gave me was to grab a big hunk of thigh skin and hold it tightly... that sort of tricks your body in to focusing on that pain and not noticing as much the pain from the shot. I'm not sure if that could apply if you are doing a shot IM... I'm new at this

I'm taking DHE as an abortive... and the needle doesn't hurt as much as the stinging the medicine does once injected in to your body.

Having small kids in my house, I was horrified to have a bucketful (okay, not QUITE a bucketful...) of needles in my home. I have a locked medicine cabinet in my bedroom and in the kitchen (Atran wall cabinet from IKEA) because I take so many medications I need to know they are secure.

My other big issue is throwing the needles away... it just feels wrong somehow to just put them in the trash... did the nurse talk about that at all with you?

The first time I did a shot I felt like I deserved a huge gold medal. What I got was better: the headache going away!

I do IM injections all the time. My DH is trained also and gives them when he's around so we can take advantage of my um-m-m larger behind versus thigh.

When I do it, I hover with the needle for a second, hold my breath, and think-now. I'm assuming you are using regular syringes and needles rather than the ones designed for insulin use. In my opinion, the syringes that are the most comfortable to use are the ones which have needles of 23gauge (I use 3ml 23G1=a3 ml syringe with a 23 gauge 1 inch long needle). I can't really feel a 23g needle go in so only have to "enjoy" the medication.

The next issue is what to do with the discarded needles. They should NEVER be discarded in the trash!!! They are considered a biohazard. You can purchase syringe disposal containers at almost all pharmacies. The pharmacy I work for, CVS, offers a container on line, at CVS.com, that you can purchase and then mail back to them when it's full at no charge. CVS will then destroy the used syringes appropriately (they have to be burned).

Hope that helps
Traci

Hi Lynne,
I also have to give myself im injections, both DHE, and Toradol. Even though I have been doing so for about 9 months, I am still very nervous. I don't like needles. I sit on the floor, and prepare the site that i will do the injection, and do deep breathing to relax myself. I find this the best way to comfort myself, and I also tell myself that this will help me. I know this may sound crazy, but it helps me.

I also put the needles in an empty pepsi bottle, then dispose of them in the trash. You have to go by your state law as far of the disposing of the needles, so ask your dr. how you will have to dispose of them.

Hoping you have pain free days,, hug & prayers, Debbie

Oh, thank you all so much! I think partly what I needed to know is that somewhere out there, others of you are doing this! It will help me feel braver about those sticks.

Debbie - you said that you sit on the floor when you do your injections. Do you do them in your thigh? Can you tell me how you put your legs so that you can get a relaxed bunch of muscle? I've been sitting on my bed with my feet on the floor, or on our piano bench (of all places), but I think I wouldn't feel so faint if I were on the floor and I never thought of that.

I did call my GP's office (she's close by), and the nurse just told me to either buy a sharps container or make one out of a plastic milk jug, and when it gets full to just bring it by the office and they'd put it in with their biohazard stuff. I have the milk jug for now, with a big red sign on it that says "Sharps", and I've been throwing the used vials in also because I figured they shouldn't go in the trash.

I'd like my husband to learn how to give me the injections, but he's not ready yet. I'd much rather have sore glutes than sore quads, but right now that's not an option. I am going to find out who could train him, though, when he volunteers (which I think he will eventually). Any ideas on how to get him trained? My doctor is not in town, so I'll need to find a resource.

I am using the plain old syringes that I fill myself. I haven't really explored other gauges or lengths. I think mine are 1 1/2" needles. (although they always look about two feet long when I unsheath the needle)!

Thanks so much for the support and advice. I'll keep taking all that I can get! I appreciate your help immensely.

Hi Lynne,

I am a total chicken when it comes to needles, so I will give you the whole picture for you to chuckle at, lol. I sit on the floor, with my legs stretched out, slowly rocking them back and forth and doing my deep breathing exercise. Like I said I am a chicken, when I feel relaxed enough, and my legs are not tense, I get ready to give my self the shot, sometimes I will still have to do some deep breathing right before the injection. After the injection I can lay down on the floor. By the way I do this in the bathroom, where no one can see me, lol. Like I said, I get very nervous. I know the shot will help, so I do what I have to. I know the floor is close by, so I have nothing to worry about.

My husband is awesome, he will help with anything, but he will NEVER give me a shot. He will be on the floor before me, lol. He will help me when I am vomiting, but a needle is his weekness. I think if it ever came down to that I couldn't do it, he would learn, but not now. I hope your husband can help you, getting it in the bottom sure is easier.

My needle is 3ml 23g1 and you are right, it sure looks bigger then it really is. It gets easier the more injections you have to do. When I have to give myself one, I don't put it off as long as I use to.

Hugs & Prayers Debbie

Lynne,
I'm a little late to this conversation, but I wanted to share my experience with you. I've been using Torodol IM injections for over a year now.

I always sit on the edge of the tub or the toliet seat and give my shot in my quad muscle. I make sure to lock the door, since I have young children. I always think that I'm attacking the migraine pain. That gives me a bit of motivation for not being slow with the injection. That's just torture.

You will become more comfortable with the process. Perhaps your husband could go with you to an appointment and discuss it with the nurse.

It sounds like you're doing great.

Lynne--

DH learned to do injections from the vet!!!! No, I'm not kidding, he can do both IV and IM on the horses. But--in order to know where to stick the needle on MY glut--my doctor's nurse showed him that. His first few strikes (I'd not exactly call them shots) were a bit hard because my skin's a lot thinner than a horse's but it didn't take him long to get the hang of human vs horse!

Tracie

Our general questions column in the paper had an item on how to dispose of syringes. She called the American Diabetes Assn in town. They said to put them in a detergent bottle, or some other thick plastic bottle, then throw them in the regular trash when it gets full. When I did DHE injections, I put them in a vinegar bottle.

DHE stung, too, and I got a red knot at the injection site.

Could you teach your husband to do the injections? And you'll be there to coach him as he does it.

I gave the dog allergy shots, too. Poor puppy. Now we just give him hydroxyzine.

Gretchen in Mississippi

Thanks for all of the great information about needle disposal... I'm going to find out what the law is here in PA.

Isn't this forum great? Where else could you go and have so many knowledgeable people on a topic like this one!

Debbie,

used your sitting on the floor technique just now, and felt much more stable and secure. Much thanks. Also was more aggressive with the stick and thought about attacking the pain. That helped too.

I bought two boxes of kid bandaids. Sounds silly, but it made me laugh to put on a Finding Nemo bandaid. I have an Elmo box too.

FYI in case this helps anyone. I do Benadryl IM (as one of the shots). Won't bore anyone with the story, but last time I did one I wasn't smart enough to go to bed right away and some stuff happened.

So, this time I am conducting an experiment. I noted time of shot, got into bed immediately, took my bp on our home bp monitor, and as I suspected, there was a notable blood pressure drop 9 minutes after administration. I'm noting the timeline of first feeling effects, pain reducing, feeling fuzzy, etc. I decided I'd better have some predictability with the new rescue med regimen. Already, my bp (lying down) is back to normal. Now I know why I had a fainting episode last time...

Thanks again for everyone's help. Can't thank you enough. I think I'll be doing Toradol in about an hour, but my kit is ready and I know to sit on the floor. Elmo will go on the other thigh!

Go, us! Aren't we all a bunch of tough guys?

Lynne

Lynne,

I have to thank you for a wonderful chuckle, the Nemo and Elmo bandaids is a great idea.

I have low bp also, that is why I like to stay close to the floor. I sure don't have far to go when that weakness comes calling. I can lay there until the feeling passes, and cold clothes are close by.
I am happy this works for you to, just made me feel more secure. I do the Toradol the same way, except I think I will go buy some cute bandaids, lol.

Have a good day, and I hope it will be pain free.

Hugs and prayers, Debbie

Hey Debbie!

Glad you liked my bandages idea. Good to get a laugh somehow.

I was proud of myself lately - all my sticks yesterday were better than usual and I didn't dread them quite as much. Definitely the sitting on the floor routine is much better for me.

This thread and all of you have really helped me with the injection part. I don't feel nearly as icky when I look at my injection kit and contemplate opening it.

Take care, all! Let's keep swapping ideas if we have them. My brother (who is a nurse) promised that he was going to talk with a friend of his who does home health care and has a lot of experience with self-injection patients, so if he comes up with anything good I'll pass it on.

Lynne

I did my third injection yesterday and had a few problems. I'm using the small glass breakable DHE vials and had some trouble drawing the liquid up into the syringe. I thought I had a dud and got another needle and had the same issue.
The other thing is that I think I pushed the medicine into my leg too quickly and had most of it come back out of my leg... is that possible? How slowly do people go? I guess I'm used to the auto-injector that comes with Imitrex.
Please, any pointers anyone could give me would be appreciated!

Betsy,

I don't have experience with the glass breakable vials, so cannot be of help there. Your pharmacist might be able to advise you, though.

Re: the medicine coming out. I am still quite new to this, so maybe others have advice, but I have noticed that the one time I sort of lost control of my hand on the plunger and went too fast, I also had liquid leak out. Since then, I've gone in fast with the needle, gotten it all the way in, then taken a deep breath to relax, then pushed the plunger very slowly WITHOUT moving the needle around. I wait for about a count of five, then withdraw the needle. That seems to be working.

The process is not at all like the autoinject, is it? Lots more control needed.

Lynne