First shot - messed up easy part already  

Group: alt.support.hepatitis-c Date: Fri, Dec 17, 2004, 6:22pm (CST-2)
From: shoegirl1@verizon.net (Wendela)
Well, he just took the first shot and we feel terrible because we goofed
when giving the shot. He had to plunge twice, and we lost fluid. It felt
like an ordeal.
The literature made a big deal out of pulling the plunger back slightly
to ensure a blood vessel wasn't hit, and this worked out okay. But then,
half way through, as he was shooting in the fluid, I opened my mouth and
said you can let go of the skin now, and he did, and then the needle
popped out and some of the fluid dripped out. He plunged again inserting
the remaining fluid. How he's afraid he messed up so much :(. What is
the right way to do this? Can you hang onto your skin? He was lucky to
pinch an inch, so I guess we should have held onto the fat. I'll keep
you posted about the sides. He didn't want to use the ice, so we skipped
that part. I guess it'll be okay, but we're bummed. I'll write again.
                                    Wendy
/////////
It's ok, relax!!!!  Maybe it didn't all go in this time, but next time
you'll do just fine.  Not the end of the world.  Next time, grab the
skin and shoot the whole thing.  Try not to do muscle.  If he's got a
bit of belly fat, so much the better.  Seriously, don't worry about
aspirating the syringe (pulling the plunger back).  Pinch the skin and
shoot the sh.t.  It's pretty freaky and a nerve wracking experience in
the beginning but you'll get the hang of it.  You did good no matter.
You should let him give his own shots....a double stick that might hit
you will give you the same virus he's got.  I'm betting he got enough
the first shot to let him know what tx  is all about and give him a ride
on the ferris wheel.  When ya'll go to bed tonight, hold him close and
let him know how much you love him.  It'll be alot of comfort.  
Elmo

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum

I never did that.  Did/does anyone else?

It sounds, in retrospect, rather comedic.  Given the number of weeks he
has doing this I don't think losing some fluid on the first shot is too
much to worry about.

I am relatively lean and I never let go until I was done injecting the
fluid.  Never had a problem that way.  It's a small needle and not that
much fluid.  I would inject it just above where the skin was taught from
my pinching it.

I never used ice, never felt the need for it.  Other people who had
problems with pain from the injection say it helps.

Don't be bummed.  This stuff, in my experience, can translate mood into
physical feeling beyond what you would imagine.  He did OK, it's not a
problem, just concentrate on getting through whatever happens.  He may
not get much effect from the first shot but that doesn't mean that it's
not working.

Wendy

Just to add my 2 cents I Just did my shot 5 tonight.
As Gordo  stated and my RN advised I don't bother with the little
retraction "boot" It's too unwieldy I just make sure I pinch/pull
enough of a skin fold  (about 3/4 inch in length which is more
important than thickness)

I know how you are supposed to handle the used sharps
but I have been drawing up some alcohol into the used syringe
to clean them out and tonight the plunger rod actually came out of the
piston!. (Pegesys syringes) I can imagine that happening while
attempting to drawn back a little blood it would be very disconcerting
indeed!. (and potentially messy)

So at least from my limited experience I would suggest you try to
develop a technique and confidence that allows you to avoid drawing
back (check with your doctor of course)

Oh and for my "second cent worth" <BG>

Don't "expect" too much in the way of sides
While you may indeed get them,  I personally really haven't had any
worth mentioning yet!! (up to my 5th)  Of course my blood counts are
really starting to drop now so that may change soon.

My purpose here is  not to brag,  but since you are already worried
that he may have missed some of his dose, if he doesn't "feel too
much" in the way of sides don't assume its because he lost some of the
TX.  he just may not be one of those heavily effected (here's hoping)
he'll know by the next few weeks and shots

And in any case all he'll need to do is request an additional shot at
the end of TX.  (1 more week will mean little after the whole 24 or 48
weeks) His intermediate VL tests will tell determine more that the
first or last shot

Take it easy, if the "sides boggyman" is going to bite his a.s nastily
just be confident you and he will handle it the best way you possibly
can. But don't create a self fulfilling prophesy for yourself's
either.

After reading some of the postings I was really expecting many horrors
that pleasantly have not appeared.

Good luck and may you both have a moderate and successful TX!!

If it don't kill us, it can make us stronger ( if you let/make it!)

DB    
Thanks
DrBenway
(not a Dr nor did I play one on TV,  
but used to play DR as a kid a lot if that counts)

There is NO chance of hitting a vein if you are pinching the skin to put the
needle in. Bear in mind that if using the Redipen, its construction doesn't
even allow for you to pull back, so this is not an important issue. Normally
when you give an injection, you should be bracing against the skin with your
other fingers, so that the needle remains in place. The skin should be
released slowly and not with a violent movement. Inject at a 45 degree angle
and not perpendicular. Don't worry about the loss of some liquid on the
first shot. It is not important in the grand scheme of things.

Lana

It gets easier and the important thing is to relax.  For the record I
always pull back before plunging because it has become a habit.  But
I've never drawn blood.  I wipe (with alcohol), pinch, stick,
pull-back, plunge, withdraw.  At about shot #5 it became easy.  I'm
lean also and there is not much to pinch but I stick to my abdomen.
Be calm and be confident.  It is really not that big a deal as you
will soon find out.  

On 17 Dec 2004 18:22:36 -0800 in
<1103336556.448410.43180@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>
"Wendela" <shoegirl1@verizon.net> said this:

Well, it'll get easier.  I wouldn't get too upset over that.
Personally, I pretty well know if I'm anyplace close to blood, so I
usually don't fool with the drawback.  (Now, that's how *I* choose to
live *my* life; you should make your own decisions, of course.)

But... 34 shots into the game and I'd call it more of a nuisance than
anything else.  Everyone reacts differently and attitude is *so*
crucial... it's like... you know...

So, hang in there; don't get yer knickers in too big of a knot over
that.  When I have assistance, I take them in my butt.  I've never hit
any blood there, that's fer sure.

Happy new year, everbuddy!  Anyone get drunk?  I actually took half a
glass of wine... uuugcchhh... acccck! < PLOP! >

Just kidding on the last part.  I just calculated that I finish on
April 15.  I believe that this is the first time I can say I'll be
happy to see *that* day roll around.

Waldron