I have hepatitis C and am on Pegasys and Ribavirin. However the Ribavirin caused anemia, so I've stopped those and started Procrit for now. The thing is, I had a lot of trouble getting the needle to go into my skin and it hurts soo much.

Does anyone have any tips for the Procrit injections?

I have hepatitis C and am on Pegasys and Ribavirin. However the Ribavirin caused anemia, so I've stopped those and started Procrit for now. The thing is, I had a lot of trouble getting the needle to go into my skin and it hurts soo much.

Does anyone have any tips for the Procrit injections?


Hi Iris,

Hmmmm...I'm thinking maybe you are not aiming straight? What sites are you injecting yourself into? You said that you can't even get the needle to go into your skin. Try holding the syringe at least your hands width away and use a light hand when "tossing" the needle into your body part. You don't want to be too heavy handed. Sort of like a quick fluid dart throwing motion. Once the needle is inserted then you can grasp a little tighter to inject the medication. Remember that the medication can also burn and it might not just be the needle. Needles do not typically hurt more than just the tiniest bit unless you are doing one of those long lumen intramusculars in your hip. Good luck and I hope you can get back on your meds.

Diann

Hep C + , 50 year old female, diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago, genotype 1a, viral load at last quant test 4,670,000 per ml, biopsy two years ago shows a 0 on the knodell score, suspected infection approx. 25 years ago from short term IV drug abuse, not treating at this time

Thank you Diann,
It does definitely help to insert the needle quicker. I got some help from a nurse this past week. She also gave me thinner needle syringes, so hopefully this will help. And she did say that the medicine itself hurt, just like you said. And I am now back on the Ribarvirin since my hemoglobin is back up.

Thank you again. :)