Hi, I’ve just started to self - inject and I was wondering if anyone has any tips to inject in the hard to reach areas ( ie bum) also do you inject in the front or side of your thighs?
Thanks Ali
Hello ACT1,
I’ve not self-injected for a few years now but used to jab myself in the outside of my thighs, my abdomen… and somewhere else, but don’t recall.
It was a big deal when I started but I soon got used to it. Then they took me off the drug (Rebif) due to side-effects, so no more jabbing.
Ben
I had an auto injector for copaxone and injected into my stomach. It’s the area with the most padding! I did try my thigh (also plenty of padding there) but it was much more sensitive and redness/bruising was more pronounced. However I’m guessing if you are not using an auto injector there may be a different approach. In which case please ignore my comment 
xxx
Thanks for the replies.
Ben - Are you now on tablets? lucky you no more injecting. I was on tablets but due to prolonged high liver tests they have now moved me to injections. Tablets were so much easier!!
Amy - I do have an auto injector - dont think I could do it without! I have been told of 8 injection sights. So far I have done my arm (with the nurse) and stomach (on my own - and felt quite proud of myself!) Tomorrow is my next one in my thigh, and the diagrams show the front of the thigh but there is more padding on the side like you said and I know with epi pens they go in the side - I dont suppose it matters so long as its a fleshy area,
Good luck - hopefully you’ll find the way that’s easiest/most convenient for you. I also bought mini gel ice packs and would use one on the injection site just after -found it really soothing.
Yes, I’m not squeamish about needles but don’t think there’s any way I could have not used an auto injector!
Hi Ali
My 1st med was Rebif 3x a week which I started back in 2000 until 2021; my preferred sites were:
No 1: stomach, backside
No 2: thighs (front)
No 0: arms ~ never tried due to the fact that I’d get red patches where I injected and didn’t want these visible
I always did my injections at night down to my thinking that if they did give me any problem’s then I could sleep it off.
I used a auto-injector pen which I feel made it easier for me to get my head around and I also got my partner to administrator some of them as a “just in case” so they could get their head around things should there ever be an occasion where I couldn’t administer myself for what ever reason.
Take care
Vicky
Hi Vicky, thanks for replying. I’m glad I’ve got the auto injector - don’t think I could do it without it! I’ve done 4 injections so far - one in the arm with help from the nurse, then one each in the stomach, thigh and bum - so far no site reactions. Do you still inject? I was told to do the depth of 12mm because then there is less chance of reactions… or maybe you are more sensitive ( or my skin is like a rhino!)
Hi ACT1 - I’m not been on any DMD since Rebif.
Happily, my MS has remained fairly stable for quite some time.
Ben
Hiya Act1,
I think the auto-injector pen makes it easier; certainly did in my case.
Good to hear you’re checking out all the different sites and that you haven’t had any site reactions.
I’ve changed to a different dmt; I’m now having the Ocrevus infusions; its 1 infusion every 6 months which for me is good ~ my neuro thinks that my ms might be moving to progressive (#@&#ing ms). But right now I’m not prepared to let this damn monster hold the upper hand, I’m a 54yr old menopausal lady who’s prepared to fight; its my body and I ain’t going quietly so the ms can !!! off!
Take care
Vicky
2 Likes