Besremi pen injection

[Looolooo]

Oh dear. Switched from peg to besremi. Tried to follow instructions. Messed up. Us there a you tube video anywhere.bits the 250mcg pen. I couldn't see the needle. It seemed to stay in the blue protective coating area. Is it supposed to pop out? Help!

[RoundTheWorld]

Hi Looolooo

The needle stays in the blue protective coating. First time you use the pen you need to 'prime' it i.e. get a drop to appear at the end of the needle (the needle is still within the blue protective coating, you have to look over that to see the needle tip).

Once you've seen the drop you press the blue bit against your skin (it retracts when you press it firmly to your skin) and then press the end of the pen (clicks as it releases Besremi). Once the dose is in, wait 10s and then remove the pen from your skin.

[Looolooo in reply to RoundTheWorld]

Thank you. I think I must have a faulty pen as the blue part did not retract back into the pen no matter how hard I pressed. My lovely haem team are going to help me at 2pm todsy. They are so responsive!

[RoundTheWorld in reply to Looolooo]

Hopefully it all got sorted out with the team. As it’s the needle attachment part (rather than the main pen that you attach that to) was it a case of swapping for a new one? My dispenser did mention if I had problems with the needle they may have a spare, but so far so good!

(I realised that there are two blue items - the pale blue outer needle plastic cap (which you manually remove when you’re ready to inject) and inside that the needle is protected by a slightly darker blue tube/cylinder - that’s the bit that retracts when pressed to the skin or at least disappears into my layer of insulation!).

[Looolooo in reply to RoundTheWorld]

All sorted. I had pushed rather than screwed the needle onto the pen thereby breaking the retraction system.! Silly me. The instructions don't include the important element, however. All done now though so thank you everyone for your assistance!

[Solyesh in reply to Looolooo]

I did exactly same thing and had a lot of liquid on top of my thigh but don't think I got any of the actual medicine my MPN specialist said not to worry as I have been able to maintain my bi-weekly Peg until this shot on Saturday. Go for blood work next week and will see...and now know for next pen shot!

[Scarlett500 in reply to Solyesh]

I did this too and didnt realise for two injections that I hadnt done it right. 😏

[Dojojojo in reply to RoundTheWorld]

Thanks for posting this information. I will be starting injections when my platelets elevate to a level ready to begin or I reach 65. So helpful to have the heads up on the proper procedure. Less scary now 😁

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hi Looolooo, there is indeed a video on YouTube

youtube.com/watch?v=TwsBpXJ...(Not working as expected?)

[Looolooo in reply to Mazcd]

That doesn't look like the pen they have given me!

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to Looolooo]

oh sorry about that, hopefully this video is showing the type you have, click on the link below:

mpnaustria.com/en/useful-in...

[Looolooo in reply to Mazcd]

That's the one! Thank you

[Leveret20 in reply to Mazcd]

Thank you, Mazcd. NOW I know what I was doing wrong! I misunderstood the instruction leaflet.

[EPguy]

You have company with the confusion, the US FDA rejected the pen as being too complicated. So US pts get a simple syringe that wastes a lot of medicine.

[Aldebaran25]

The needle portion of the pen has that blue protective coating that you mention that is a sort of retracted protective sheath that releases once you start pushing and the release. Once this sheath is released it stays fixed and you cannot use the needle anymore. I’ve had problems with it a few times! You must make sure that once you push to inject you go the whole way.

[RoundTheWorld in reply to Aldebaran25]

I didn't know that about the blue cylinder locking, so thanks for pointing it out.

I like the pen now I'm used to it, although have to admit I re-read the instructions a few times before trying it for the first time (and still have a quick refresher re-read now).

It seems you have to be clear about what to do and then commit!

[BloodyMPNS]

I did the same and the liquid ran down the outside of my stomach. After speaking to the team a couple of days later I redid the injection and it worked but now dread the next one in case I get it wrong again. Good luck. Mel x

[Bicsfriend in reply to BloodyMPNS]

I’ve had my trials with the besremi pen too. The Austrian video is really helpful. I think, on limited experience, that injecting into the thigh (as per the Austrian video) is more effective.

[Grapefruitlohoff]

are you in the US or in Europe? I heard that the manufacturer is going to introduce pen injector in the us market.

[Anag]

My doctor helped me start up with the pen and saw me inject myself with it. She also gave me a special plastic box so I can store the amount that I haven't used in the refrigerator. She gave me some extra needles because very often the patient makes a mistake or slips. I also ordered 50 needles in a box from my pharmacy to have for the future. If you mess up you have to throw the needle away and start over this is why it's good to have extra needles they don't cost very much.