Injections... Always a sore point!

My thigh is still a bit sore today.

I should of course explain that statement as it does have relevance. I am on Avonex (intramuscular disease modifying drug) and inject once a week and sometimes a few days after my leg just gets a bit sore at the injection site. It must be my rubbish technique! I did once in the early stages inject into my thigh bone (very painful, definitely wouldn’t recommend it) as my GP advised me when I demonstrated where I had put the needle in and told him how painful it was.

"Ahh I think you were a bit heavy handed and went into the bone" he said and then went on to give me some guidance on the best portion of my generous thigh to use.

I am lucky to have a lovely GP who gives you time to explain your problems or concerns and doesn’t just stick to the allotted 5 minutes appointment time. The nurse at the surgery is also brilliant.

A quick funny story about my support from the nurse.

It’s January 2011 and I’m with the nurse at the Doctors surgery ready to do my 1st injection. I’ve read all the information provided by Avonex, watched the DVD, practised with a piece of sponge with my MS Nurse and now here we are, my partner by my side and I’m ready. As I sit, jeans around my ankles. thigh awaiting it’s fate, needle in hand........ Ping......all the lights go out. Power cut!

Yes I did my 1st injection by torch light. It could only happen to me!

Apparently I did use a degree of force (Nurse actually jumped) and commented that although it was an intramuscular injection a swift dart action was all that was needed. We did all have a good laugh about it and I think it’s one appointment she just might remember.

Anyone else out there using Avonex have any stories or bits of advice when they started injecting?

I have a somewhat difficult relationship with my MS Nurse but that’s another story..............

Welcome to my Blog

Hello I’m Debbie and I feel the need to write this blog as I can’t seem to find anything out there on the web that actually represents me and my journey with Multiple Sclerosis.

I find most of the information is medical. Various lists of symptoms (all very scary reading when first diagnosed) and explanations of the disease and diagrams of demyelination. Books and leaflets available for every manifestation of the possible path of MS (incontinence, fatigue and spasms to name but a few) and the categories of MS. Ah, yes, the depressing explanation of Relapsing Remitting MS and the inference that this moves onto the next stage at some point into Primary Progressive. A story of disability, loss of independence and madness (sorry cognitive impairment). Well it’s not a story with a happy ending is it?

At this point I feel I should use one of my favorite quotes:

“Life may not be the party we hoped for but while we're here let's dance”

That sums it up really for me. I had my first relapse at the age of 48 and it took me four months to recover. I woke up in the early hours one morning (having spent the previous week feeling very tired and unwell) completely numb on my right side from the top of my thigh to my toes and so the journey into medical examinations and tests began. As the relapse took hold my balance and mobility were badly affected (only able to walk with assitance) and I suffered various other problems including the 'MS Hug'.  By the end of that year, I’d had a second relapse (optic neurosis this time) and the official diagnosis of MS.

Now on a positive note (I know what your thinking, about time!) that was two years ago and currently I am still driving (my sporty Mini), I walk independently and I’m a step mum for two young (primary school) children. We've had two holidays this year (I actually managed all the steps up to Edinburgh castle!) and I get on with life, this new life of mine with MS. It’s not all plain sailing and I currently have some ongoing pain that I’m trying to get under control but it’s getting there.I appreciate there must be lots of other people out there like me at the earlier stages of this uncertain journey and I hope my blog may be of some help to you as it’s not all doom and gloom. It is very much a mind set of how to cope with the uncertainty of a diagnosis of MS and where that may lead you.

Please leave me a comment if any of this strikes a chord with you.