DMD?

[Sailorsong]

I was just reading another post regarding DMD and their side effects. From the way the thread was going it sound like they are all injection type meds. Is this true?

The reason I am asking this is because of a basic problem I have with giving myself an injection. I am very allergic to bee stings and am suppose to always have an injection within a very short amount of time or I could easily die. Twice since I found out that I am that allergic to bee stings I have been stung. Both times (the first with standard needle and syring, second with epipen) I could not inject myself despite the fact that I could die any minute.

So are they all injections? If they are is there some way anyone knows that I can get someone to give me the shots if needed? I live alone so there is no family around that I can get to give me any shots.  For example would it be possible to have my shrink do an Rx to have someone give me the shots and have it be covered by insurance?

Dennis

[patientx]

If you can't used to doing the injections on yourself, you might consider Avonex.  Since it is a once-a-week injection, maybe you could go to your doctor's office or local clinic and have a nurse do it for you.

I've been told by optimistic neuros and nurses, that the injections won't be the only option in the near future - many oral meds are in clinical trials right now.  Now that I think of it, that's another option - you could look into studies for the oral meds, like Fingolimod.

[Sailorsong]

I don't have a problem with needles, just in sticking myself. In fact I always watch the person giving me a shot or taking blood. By watching for some reason I don't feel the needle going in other than a slight pressure. On the other end if I don't see the needle going in it hurts like mad and I usually get very light headed and some times pass out for a short period. When I was still living in FL my PCP always had me lay down on the exam table if I needed a shot in the rump instead of the usual bend over drill because of this.

Dennis

[Mand125]

Hi there

I hope you manage to cope with the injections, it would be easy for me to say you will get used to it but that would not be fair of me, I have never minded injections. I have a friend to help me sometimes (some of the injection sites are difficult to reach!).

I use an auto-injector which I would certainly recommend, My shots are every other day but aren't some of the DMDs administered weekly? That would be easier to cope with I imagine.

Just a thought, I have never done this but I wonder if hypnosis might help you to get over your problem with needles?

Good luck
Mand

[Heather3418]

This is a very good question.  With any of the DMD's, they have support staff within the company that will come out and train you to take your shots.  All of the current DMD's are injectable.  Many, many, many of us were afraid of needles Dennis, before we started all of this.  We all learned that we have to do what we have to do to slow this MS monster down.

Nobody likes needles.  A few of the DMD's come with auto-injectors, like the Epiphen, where you never have to see the needle.  Since I used to be an insulin diabetic,  I was well versed in the use of needles long before I had to take one of the DMD's.  I didn't like needles when I started insulin, but soon learned that I had to do it, to save my life.

If I can do it...so can you.  The person that trains you from one of the DMD companies, know how to train you, so you won't be so hesitate about doing it.  I assure you, you can do it.  You very well-being depends on it.

Heather