Joeytastic wrote on Jul 31^st, 2009 at 12:08pm:

I can't help you with the other questions, but consider this: If you knew the 5 grossest things you've ever eaten, you'd starve yourself to death from this point forward.

I've never used Imitrex (or Imigran), and have never injected myself with anything. But I seem to remember reading somewhere that it comes in larger vials, and that you can use diabetic needles to draw and inject just the amount you need.

If you are being prescribed the stat-dose injections of Imitrex, then ask your doc to give you vials and syringes.

The vials have the same amount of trex as a stat-dose "vial", and you can then use a syringe to take 1/3 or 1/2 of a shot (or a whole one). Then, use a different syringe next time to draw the rest out, and inject yourself with that.

I told my neuro I was splitting the shots anyway with the stat-dose, and asked for the vials and syringes. You need a script in this state for syringes. He didn't realize imitrex came in vials, and had to look it up real quick, but he gave me the script, with enough syringes to use with them.

Gizmo is right, you won't be able to inject half a shot into an empty stat-dose container. And you won't be injecting any cotton, the Q-Tip is only used as a plunger to push out the trex in the stat-dose container. Kind of like the way a syringe works.

Whether you go in straight or at an angle, doesn't matter really. Just don't inject your muscle.

Hope this helps.

Quote:



Yup,

You sound like a right old Junkie.....

Lefty...!

Joeytastic wrote on Jul 31^st, 2009 at 6:44pm:

I pretty much swear by the imitrex "tip" on this site and have used it MANY a time. It saves me money, allows me to abort more than two attacks in a 24-hour period, and I am a believer in using the smallest effective dose of anything to get the job done.

Once you start using the "tip," you'll notice that many of the prefilled syringes already have an air bubble in them. That being said, the auto-injector is already injecting that air bubble when used as directed. I was a bit skeptical when I first started using the "tip" for that reason, but after inspecting the used syringes that I had used the auto-injection method on in the past, I pretty much came to the conclusion, that there must not be much of a risk with the air being injected into fatty tissue.

However, I would like to point out something that I have noticed through my own experiences with the "tip," and I have used this method for well over 30+ doses. If after you load the autoinjector and unscrew the injection end, you hold the piece in one hand and press the spring loaded end with your other hand, you'll notice the length of the needle that would be inserted if you were to use the auto-injector. Now, if you remove the syringe from that piece, you'll notice that the needle is actually a bit longer. When inserting the needle by hand, as with the imitrex tip, I try not to insert the needle anymore than about 1/2 to 3/4 or so in order to keep the depth similar to what the auto injector would have done. Depending on the available fatty tissue in your injection site of choice, this may be more or less important.

I did some searching on the net in the past about whether or not it would be a good idea to wipe the needle after use with an alcohol prep. I thought it would be a good idea, myself, however I read that many syringes have a coating that may be removed by alcohol which would actually (supposedly) cause the needle to dull more quickly. Instead, the injection site should be wiped before and after only, and not the needle. I've done it both ways, and I didn't really notice a huge difference in the sharpness of the needle in subsequent injections, so I'd say if you feel safer doing so, then go for it.

Anyway, hope some of that helps. PF wishes!

I have also used the "tip" many times. Never bothered with doing anything special about keeping the needle sterile, just never touch it and put it straight back into the holder and it will be fine.

My method is usually to sit on the toilet and push the needle into the right hand side of my right thigh, then hold the needle/vial steady with the left hand and push with the qtip.

I scratch of some of the paper off the vial so I can see how much I have used.

As for any air in the vial (and there may well be a bit after the 1st half dose as the rubber bung springs back a bit after injecting - if you inject into the thigh the needle is far too short to hit an artery and a tiny bit of air in the muscle/fat won't harm you.

I can do this so easily after all these years and the bit of a sting you may get from pushing the short needle in is not even felt when you have CH pain - trust me 

Joeytastic wrote on Aug 1^st, 2009 at 7:00pm:


I realize this is an old post to quote, but I have created an illustrated PDF file that shows the steps to the Imitrex Tip. I have already contacted the original author of the tip to see what he thinks about possibly getting this posted up on the site for any others that may be new to the idea of manual injections.

As soon as I hear something back, I'll let everyone know what's up.