Six weeks ago, Dizzy and I started our new MS treatment. But this time it was not the side-effects that worried us: it was the needles! Three injections a week to be precise.
Now, I have always found needles a little scary, and have been known to faint at the talk of injections, the sight of injections, or even the thought of injections! Even Dizzy (who is a very brave donkey) prefers not to be within touching distance!
We realised we did need to somehow battle through our fears though, and to help Dizzy discovered 10 Top Tips (which we have also made a little video for at the end of this post) for making the process just that little less scary. 🙂
Dizzy’s Top Ten Tips!
- Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice. This can be from your nurse, doctor, specialist, partner or/and other people on the same medication. Talking to others can really help to eliminate (or at least reduce) any fears that you might have. 🙂
Also (if you lucky to have someone who isn’t terrified of needles) ask them to help give the first injection/s. Dizzy and I got my partner to do it and, even thought I was having a proper panic, it meant I could get through the first one, and realise that it really wasn’t as bad as I had built it up in my head to be. 🙂
2. Practice
Practice makes perfect! Or so they say… 🙂 But it really can help to get you use to handling the injections and feeling a little more confident. If you ask your nurse or injection expert, they should be able to supply you with a little injection pad, which means you can practice stabbing it for hours! 🙂 Not only will it get you use to the feeling and technique, but it can also be a good stress relief. 🙂
3. Read about Possible Side-Effects
This one is a little scary. I was first prescribed this medication when I was first diagnosed, and I got so worried about side-effects that I didn’t take it. :/ And this one doesn’t even come with many! This time I kept things in more perspective (which is really hard), and also made sure to be aware of the common side- effects. This was so Dizzy and I would know what was normal and what was not. We only experienced some stinging and redness around the injection site, but if I had not known to expect that, I would have managed to convince myself that it meant I was about to die! 🙂
4. Do What’s Easiest for You
Do what’s best for you! There is loads of information and advice out there (which can be amazing), but make sure you also take notice of your own needs. Usually with self injections, you will be provided with an auto injector (which covers the needle, and means you only have to press one button – it does the rest for you). Now, self injection can be much kinder, but there is no way I could have managed that the first few times!
Although, if like Dizzy, you think nibbling on the injection is the easiest option, please, please resist. Dizzy loves a nibble, and I have had to take a few of these away from her now! Another reason why I get Sid to do my injections and not Dizzy. 🙂
5. Be Comfy
Make yourself comfy! Get a cosy blanket, sit on the sofa and make sure you are all squidgy and warm. 🙂
6. Listen to Music/Watch TV
It’s important to concentrate when doing an injection (unless someone else is doing it – then you can happily day dream or watch youtube), but it can really help to have some inspiring or calming music on in the background. You could also pop on one of your favourite programmes, just so there is something on in the background to help you relax. When I did my own first injection, Dizzy put some comedy on the TV. Having something light hearted on in the background made everything seem a little less scary.
7. Move Confidently
When doing an injection, try to move with confidence and assertion (both things that Dizzy finds very easy, but I find a little more tricky…). This is a key one for me to remember as when I did my first one, I kept gently touching my skin with the needle, and then got frustrated that it wasn’t going in. Now, it was literally barely touching the skin, so there was no hope in it actually going in, which made the whole process a little more stressful. When I really went for it though, I realised how easily the needle does go into the skin. You hardly need any pressure! But you do need the needle to actually be properly touching the skin. 🙂
8. Breathe
Taking deep slow breaths when you carry out your injection can be amazing for nerves. I also find it helps to count my breathes, as I always surprise myself by how few I do before it is time to pop the needle out. In addition, it helps to keep your present and to not just focus on the jitters.
9. Remember Why You’re Doing This
Injections are scary! And if I had the option, I would pass on them, but if you are prescribed them, it’s because they will hopefully help you. It’s vital to keep in mind the reason for taking them. I would definitely choose a few moments of pointy discomfort over a relapse. It can also feel empowering, to know you are directly doing something, which will hopefully help you to keep healthy. 🙂 And also, take a moment after each one to feel proud of yourself! I never though I would be able to do injections at home (I can’t even look when they do them at the doctors), but I am now doing them! For me, that’s an amazing achievement, and that deserves a moment of recognition. 🙂
10. Treat
Have a treat all planned and ready for after your injection! Especially your first ones. We found this really helpful, as we only had to get through a few seconds of injection, before we could have an evening of yummy food and a film! 🙂
We hope you have found this little post helpful, especially if you are about to start a new adventure with needles. 🙂 Please let us know if you have any other tips, and Dizzy is always here if you need someone to have a chat with about them. xxx
I love this! Also, sending you good vibes with your new treatment ❤️
Thank you so much Amanda. xx I hope you are having a lovely weekend. 🙂 xxx
Dizzy is so helpful and sweet! I think we all need a Dizzy to ease our fears and pain! Send you LOTS of love sweetie!
Thank you Alyssa. How is the new year going for you so far? xx
You are welcome! I am sorry for my late response. The new year is going okay, not much has changed besides we are finally getting rid of the orange clown! How is your new year going? xx
So far, not too bad. We all still have to stay in because of Covid, but I don’t mind having to so much in the winter. It’s really cold at the moment, and we even had snow today! xxx
I love the animated Dizzy scooting along just before tip #1. I get allergy shots but don’t give them to myself, but been getting them since 1975. Before that, I hated needles … I always hoped there was a sugar-cute vaccine instead of a needle. You gave us tips Heather, so no one needs to be squeamish now and I like the idea of rewards too. 🙂
Hehe, Dizzy was moving fast for that!! She doesn’t usually zoom around that quick (unless there are ginger nut biscuits involved). How often do you have to have the allergy injections? I still wouldn’t say no if they swapped the needles for sugar-cute vaccines. 🙂 xxx
She was zooming pretty quickly and ginger nut biscuits would do it for me too! Well, I am supposed to get the injections every four weeks, but since I’ve been on them since 2004 (this go around), I can go as long at five weeks and it’s okay. But these are just shots for mold, chlorophyll from grass and leaves – I have bad allergies in the Spring, but I also, in addition to the shots, take Alavert, an OTC med, just to keep the sneezing and drippy nose away. I only take it from April 1st through June 30th. They will make me have shots two weeks in a row when I return. I told them it was not worth it to me to risk COVID to get allergy shots. Now … I originally got shots beginning in 1975 until 1995. Then the allergist retired – he said you don’t need the shots anymore. (Of course he said that when he was about to retire.) So that was December 1995 and in the Spring of 2003 I started getting symptoms like before, the itchy eyes, running nose, sneezing. I just figured we were having strange Spring weather – a real heat wave, so never thought much about it and the next year, the full-blown allergies were back again. So then I have to do two shots (one in each arm) once a week, then they gradually make it every other week, then every third week, until you go to “maintenance phase” … I have gotten used to getting the shots now, but used to scream bloody murder when the pediatrician gave me shots when I was a youngster!
2 a week sounds a lot in the arms! I’ve always had a big aversion to them. Even the thought of them made me cringe. I’m still amazed I’m managing 3 a week. 🙂 Dizzy is of course helping through. xxx
There is one in each arm and now I am on maintenance, so don’t have to go as much, but I have not gone since November 23rd. I told them I have Spring allergies and want to stay away from everyone due to COVID. I said I have no family members or anyone I could rely on if I got sick and if I was sick enough, could I take care of myself and don’t want to go in the hospital during COVID. They probably don’t like it, but this is not as important as your shots … these are just allergy shots … I’m allergic to dust too. Been sneezing, likely because I am not a good housekeeper! Dizzy is brave for such a little donkey … when I was little, I’d scream bloody murder every time I went to the pediatrician. My parents were very strict and I had no siblings, so believe me I really toed the line and was afraid of my parents. The pediatrician was a non-nonsense doctor – not friendly at all. {{{ hugs }}}
I didn’t scream, but I would get in a massive state and then pass out! It can not have been fun for the people who had to give me injections. 🙂 xx I think you’re right to stay in. I would rather take on the allergies than covid. It’s still too scary out there at the moment. Do they ever come to the house to do it? Keep keeping safe. xxxx
My parents were embarrassed because I was so scared and I never was allowed to have a tantrum, but here I would just start screaming once he had the needle in his hand. Yes, the allergies are not important and who knows when the shot is available? And, I don’t like this bit of they are not sure if the follow-up is available. It is best to stay in – I only am going to the Park right now and happy for that. Eventually I will return to the allergist, but I can mask up so that will be okay for awhile … they likely will make me come back a few times back to back weeks to get up to the level I was … that’s different as it will be in warmer weather, so you go in and have a short-sleeved shirt and don’t fiddle with gloves, coat, rolling up your sleeve … in/out and no worries except where they touched you with the injection. I take no chances. I don’t think they come to the house Heather, but they do have an option where you can buy the serum and if you have someone who can administer the shot to you (friend/family member), you just buy the serum and take it home with you and see the doctor once per year. I don’t know anyone who could administer the shot so I’ve not ever gone that route. Some people go to their family doctor and have them give them the shot if their doctor’s hours are better for them than the allergist’s hours.
Fantastic suggestions and I love the video, Heather. I think you’ve done fantastically well! I self-inject in my thigh for pernicious anaemia but after making a mistake once, it really, really put me off. Having tips to help would have made the process a lot better. I feel like I’m starting from scratch now as I’ve not had the courage to do another one. I just didn’t inject deep enough and the liquid stayed in the tissue, which lumped it up (massively) and terrified me. An injection pad is a great idea, I might see if I can get one of those. Asking for help is important too. It’s not easy self-injecting and even though it becomes like second nature after practice, it can take time. I really do hope this medication can be helpful for you lovely. xx
Thank you Caz. xx When did you do the last injection? I can imagine that makes it really hard to then do again. I worry about a bad reaction for the same reason. So far it’s all be ok (quickly touching wood) thankfully. There was only one really painful one, but it’s because Sid got carried away. These ones are suppose to be done slowly, but Sid saw how quick they give the covid vaccine and it seemed to inspire him!! 🙂 He kept commenting on how much quicker they did it, but I thought he was joking! 🙂 xx Have you been able to ask for an injection pad yet? They do look really good, and will hopefully help. 🙂 Let us know how you get on. xxx
I love the way they are knitted. My daughter is a fan of woolen stuff, she always manage to find out some interesting accessories like socks and beanies on the Internet. Cat figures are also her favorite. If you live near me, I’d definitely get one in those above photos lol/
I love knitted stuff too. I love all the bright colours you can get as well. 🙂 Does she know how to knit herself? I never managed to get it, but did manage just a little strip once. 🙂 And the donkeys are all from the donkey sanctuary. They also sell them on their website. 🙂 xxx