Shouting out to Rebif users - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

MSNik · 07-08-2007, 02:49 PM

Hi there. This is almost embarrassing, because after being on Rebif for the better part of a year, I should know this answer. Ive tried calling Lifelines, and they dont open again until the AM (at least there are no nurses there at this time) so I figured what the heck, Id put it out there to you all....

I remember, when I was trained to do injections, the nurse saying SOMETHING about the bubbles which are in the Rebif syringes. I have usually just self injected without removing them (tapping on the syringe); however LATELY the last 3 or 4 shots, have incredibly painful! I mean they burn like never before and they hurt while the medicine goes in...I asked a local friend, who is a nurse, who looked at the syringes and asked me "Should you be tapping out this large air bubble?" I honestly didnt have an answer for her...

So, here I am asking if anyone here knows FOR SURE what the answer to that is...And, admitting, that after donig this 3 times a week for almost a year, I cant believe that I cant remember..must be an MS thing!

Many things which I should know, arent coming to me today....gotta be a combo of the MS and the heat!
anyway, thanks for letting me know, if anyone knows..
N

duttin · 07-08-2007, 09:02 PM

Nikki,

Be careful,thats how I got that site reaction sore.Couldn't get the air bubbles out and that whole month the shots hurt like heck,no matter where I injected.

GP says sometimes the preservatives can react like that.

Get a hold of MS lines tomorrow and ask them,is this a new box of shots?

The whole month of May my shots were extremely painful and I still have a sore that reminds me of that.I think the whole box had problems with it.

classylady · 07-08-2007, 10:42 PM

I'm a retired RN and was told to leave the air bubble in. You're injecting in the subqu. space so the air bubble helps to seal the med, less leakage after removing the needle.

I keep hearing about a new formula for Rebif with less sting and overall less injection site reactions. Wish they'd hurry up!

MSNik · 07-09-2007, 07:50 AM

Nuffs and Classylady:
Nuffs, I KNEW I would hear from you on this, and was hoping I would! Thank you....Im inclined to lean towards your answer; however as CLASSYLADY said, Ive also been told to leave that air buble in there for the same reason. You know, last night, when I posted this, I couldnt remember FOR THE LIFE OF ME what the Rebif Nurse had told me..and this morning, when I woke up, I remembered exactly. DUH.

I hate this disease.

Its incredibly hot here today, just under 100, highly unusual for NJ....with nothing but humidity...tonight, im going to hear an MS Society thing- and at this point, not looking forward to leaving my house. However, I am looking forward to hearing the talk.

Classylady- I hadnt heard about that new formula. Im going to investigate that. Thank you for giving me hope!

Nuffs, I do know its this box....and yes, it is a new box. I wonder if there is anything I can do at all...I guesss Ill be calling LIfelines once again to verify.

Thank you both for writing back to me.
Hugs,
Nikki

Nuffs, how are you? I havent heard much from you this past 10 days....I figured you needed some down time and that you would surface when you were ready...you feeling any better?
Nikki

MSNik · 07-09-2007, 10:00 AM

Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know, I just got off the phone with the MSLIfelines nurse....first of all, she confirmed that there is another version of Rebif coming out, however it isnt expected out until sometime in 2008- she didnt know much about it...secondly, she confirmed that the bubbles should be kept in the syringe....according to her, by tapping them out, medicine is likely to get on the outside of the needle, both confirming the burn/pain as well as a site injection possiblity. She suggested (Nuffs) that I try going back to the auto-injector and setting it at 2...I dont know, think I tried that, but she confirmed that self injecting, is the same as putting the auto-injector at 3, or 10 mms. Im so confused!

Maybe Ill try it for a week, see what happens...
Hope all is well, and just wanted to pass this along in case anyone else was wondering..
Nikki