Pain injecting Pegasys

[Otterfield]

I have been injecting Pegasys for six months and it's always been painless. But today, although I didn't do anything differently, it was painful when I inserted the needle and emptied the syringe and remained painful for about a minute afterwards. It bled a little, but occasionally it does anyway. Could I have done something wrong or caused any damage? The only thing different about this week is that I am on antibiotics for cellulitis. Thanks all.

[Helpatlast]

I have odd weeks like that when it hurts - think it's just one of those things sometimes just the angle the needle goes in or just the wrong spot - don't worry it will be ok next week. I always bleed too so that normal too I just pop a plaster on soon as I have injected. All the best

[Otterfield in reply to Helpatlast]

Thank you, that is reassuring. The injection site hasn't hurt since, so I'll assume it was a one off and hope for the best next time.

[fee13]

Sometimes if the liquid is cold it can hurt. Warm vial by gently holding between both hands & slowly move hands backwards and forwards against each other

[Otterfield in reply to fee13]

Thank you, that might have been a factor.

[Kim2795]

If the bevel of the needle isnt facing upwards it hurts me...i dont do the injecting my husband does. I hope this helps you

[Otterfield]

Thank you, that's interesting. Hopefully the pain was just a one off.

[JackLina]

All I can say is, that happened to me and usually now it's painful. About 50-50 it hurts and bruises and sometimes it bleeds. No idea why!

[Otterfield in reply to JackLina]

Thank you. I am less worried about this now. I thought I had done something awful to myself!

[JackLina]

A number of people on this site have mentioned similar. at one point we considered that the company may be using inferior quality needles.....'s unlikely that there is any thickening of the skin. It's a thought because sometimes, I don't feel a thng and other times, I have real difficulty getting the needle through the skin. I make sure I don't inject in the same area, so it

[Otterfield in reply to JackLina]

That's a thought and of course there's nothing we can do about the needles! I try not to inject in the same area, but I suppose as weeks go by, I am bound to hit the same spot occasionally. Thanks for your thoughts on this.

[plum27 in reply to Otterfield]

I have three injections from each syringe, so I bought a box of needles. 100 needles for less than $10 and about as much again for shipping, purchased online and delivered within 3 days. So, if you want to try some different needles, it's easy.

[plum27]

I too had usually painless injections until one day there was a sharp pain just after the needle went through the skin. I suspect I hit a nerve. Pushing forward was quite painful so I pulled it out and stuck it in elsewhere, and it was normal. Subsequent injections normal (no to very slight sensation as the needle goes through the skin). I never had such sharp pain again, but very occasionally it is just a little painful, particularly if I am hesitant and stab myself slowly. I sometimes bleed a drop or two of blood but usually not. After injecting, I leave the needle in place for a few seconds before pulling it out, with the idea that that gives what I injected a little time to disperse. I don't know if it really makes any difference, but the nurse told me to wait a bit, so I do. I don't know about damage but I asked Haematologist if injecting a bit of air might be a problem. She laughed (in a nice way) and said no. So, short of hitting a nerve or a large blood vessel, I don't think there is much damage to be done. I inject by my belly button, at a bit of an angle, per instructions from the nurse. A thick enough layer that I can't put the needle all the way through to muscle.

[Otterfield in reply to plum27]

Thank you. That is reassuring.