Any top tips for managing localised reaction at interferon injection sites please? (raised red circles, about 4cm wide and itchy). Will dig out baggier clothes and inject higher next time but any other tips about how to minimise local reaction?
Also - I'm taking 45mcg from a 90mcg syringe. I use half and discard the remainder still in the syringe. Is this right or do you eject half before injecting? (does this go down the sink/in the bin?!)
Thank you.
I also had the red itchy spots when first starting injections. Took couple months of weekly injections to stop reacting. Until then I tried cooling the area first with ice cubes and applying aquaphor healing ointment after. That gel is over the counter and was recommended by my hematologist. As for the vial, I draw the amount first to ensure no screw up of syringe, the needle, my action, etc. so I have a second chance if needed with drug left in vial. Truth be told I had some problems getting refills so had saved vial for reuse if needed, using alcohol to clean it after use and before storage in frig for possible future use. Switched pharmacy to local hospital and have not experienced refill issues since.
Thanks v much Mishie - I’ll have a look for the gel and try the cooling beforehand.
My syringe is pre-filled to 90mcg (I’d forgotten some people have vials) so I suspect what I’m doing is the best option for me as the leftovers go into the sharps bin rather than general waste.
Have a good evening (here - could be earlier there)!
Not sure about the injection site resection. Not sure if a Benadryl topical would help. Suggest you talk to the MPN Specialist.
When using the prefilled syringes, you are supposed to waste the portion not to be used first. I waste it into a paper towel to avoid having any medication end up in the water supply.
Hope you get it sorted ASAP.
Thanks Hunter - will do the same re. the dosage then.
Hopefully seeing the MPN specialist soon so will add this to the list of questions! (Hope he’s not too overstretched that day 
)
If your belly is thin, than better grab the fat and inject with the 45° angle.
Hope it will help
Cheers
Agree with Hunter. Discard the excess into tissue before injecting. This may even help with your injection site issues. I definitely had the same with my first few doses.I was bruising with anti-coag injections and my nurse reminded me to make sure I am not injecting or withdrawing the injection at an angle and this made a difference for me. I think I had just gotten a bit lax as I got used to doing it. So I try to be very mindful and almost exaggerate taking the needle fully out, ensuring it isn't at an angle.
Thank you Saus_I and William_Indo. I could well have withdrawn the needle at an angle. The nurse said to pinch the fat/skin, inject at 90 degrees and leave it a few seconds to ensure the medicine went in - I didn’t even consider that withdrawal angle might make a difference. I also spilled a bit onto my skin the second time and the irritation was worse then so will make sure not to let this happen next week. Lots of good advice, thanks.
hi,
I was always told to waste what I wasn’t using (paper towel or down the sink) and then inject what is left in the syringe.
To reduce the swelling:
- I used to have a bath beforehand, therefore making sure my skin was nice and supple.
- I also get the injection out of the fridge 30mins before I inject.
- take it slowly when injecting (doing it too fast bruises me good and proper!)
I agree with the previous comment that some reaction may be normal for a while, until your body gets used to it.
Good luck
I was taught to grab a roll of skin and fat and inject into that at an angle, not to go deeper. I now do it at a 45 degree angle, and make sure to inject slowly and withdraw slowly otherwise I get a drop left on the skin. Thank you to everyone for the tips on reducing irritation.
Hi, This is a slaw release medication, which means it will be there in your skin for a while. I take this injection every four weeks and it always have that reaction, red then dark skin. I put some arnica cream on and it helps. Wishing you well.
leave the needle in a few seconds after injection completed & pull straight out. Angle the needle in pinched skin of stomach . If you ensure the half you discharge before you inject is shaken off needle it prevents all those symptoms. I experimented 18 months now leg stomach etc & it hardly leaves a mark now . Julia UK
PS. Yes I put it into sink running water before injection with half not needed. Pity they won’t develop 45 injections as such a waste . .
Hi, I have never had a reaction to the injection and I do not have much flesh on me. I was taught to discharge the unwanted amount first (I do not think I would be able to see that well if I did it the other way around), pinch some skin and then put the needle in straight, push the plunger keeping the skin pinched, remove the syringe but keep the skin pinched for a few seconds so none of the fluid squirts back out. I always remove the medication from the fridge at least half an hour before I use it so it is up to room temperature. Hope it all settles down for you.
hello, I started in January of this year on 45 mg using pre-filled 90mg syringe. The nurse was very good but very specific about the excess being squirted into my sharps bin-not the sink or loo! Getting it up to room temperature should help with skin reaction. Doing the injection slowly rather than rushing, keep calm. I do mine before I go to bed. This is really working well for me and I wish I had started on it sooner instead of putting it off for a whole year! Good luck.
Thank you. Good to know re the sharps bin disposal - I wasn’t sure about it going into any general waste.
Hi,
I was advised to waste the portion not needed first to ensure I'm taking the correct dose. I was told to do this into my sharps bin to prevent any contamination.
I have 2 red patches on my stomach, where I inject, too. I was told to ensure meds were at room temperature, so take out of the fridge 20-30 mins before and have since been told to use E45 cream on the areas. To be honest, nothing has changed, I still have the patches, so I'm very interested to read the suggestions for this.
I hope all goes well for you. Keep us posted.
Once the syringe is put together, hold upright and tap gently so that the air bubbles go to the top. Then while still upright, slowly push plunger in so that the air comes out. Syringe should now be set for full 95mcg dose. I then point it downwards and expel the unwanted peg on to a paper tissue that goes in the bin. I made the mistake at the beginning of not expelling the air which means I was actually underdosing by injecting myself with part air, not liquid. Good luck
I find it helpful to inject into different sites. I use four spots in each of two rows across my belly, one a couple inches below the other. Each spot gets an injection every eight doses. I hope it helps.
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