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NorCal78

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Imitrex tip question
Nov 25^th, 2009 at 3:49pm

I haven't needed imitrex since 2007. And now I'm 4 weeks into a cycle (been using imitrex pills as needed this time for abortive because they work okay and I'd rather not inject anything) and wondering where I'm supposed to put the injection on my thigh. I got the script over 2 years ago and don't have instructions, I remember doing it closer to my knee but can't be sure, and also I'm going to use the imitrex tip for the 1st time by self injecting 1/2 of my 4mg auto injector but I'm wondering how deep I'm supposed to put the needle in. It says subcutaneous but I feel like the needle is pretty long and would be more of an intramuscular shot if I put the needle in as far as it will go....I need help!!

(sorry I meant to post this in the treatment forum Sorry, don't know how to move it now.)

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« Last Edit: Nov 25^th, 2009 at 3:57pm by NorCal78 »

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angela.lambert

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Re: Imitrex tip question
Reply #1 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 3:57pm

Hello NorCal,

I just did it for the first time myself last week.

I used my right hand (im a righty). Now put the q-tip into the ready position. I put the needle in my upper left arm. I was very very nervous, I had never stuck a needle in myself before.
I just went for it, started applying pressure till the needle broke the skin, and plunged all the way in. the pain is not bad at all, if any. You will be surprised.
Then I carefully, slowly, pressed the q-tip in till I thought I got the 2mg I needed. I then laid flat on my back and counted to 10 (fast), allowing the shot to absorb as much as possible. Then out it came. The most pain is the after math. I could still fill the point of entry for awhile after. Maybe 1/2 hr after. Nothing unbearable.

Good luck, I hope I helped and let me know how it went!!

Angela

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NorCal78 CH.com Newbie Offline Aren't you gonna take your skates off? Posts: 12 x1\|Chico\|USA\|usa\|27\|130\|CA,California Gender:	Re: Imitrex tip question Reply #2 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 4:00pm Where on your arm did you poke? shoulder, bicep, tricep? I don't mind the injection itself I just want to do it right.
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angela.lambert CH.com Veteran Offline Support Alaska Commercial Fisherman Posts: 182 petersburg,alaska Gender:	Re: Imitrex tip question Reply #3 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 4:05pm I'm not good with anatomy, but, the upper bicep, below the shoulder.
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Lawmandave

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Re: Imitrex tip question
Reply #4 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 4:08pm

i will tell you what i did my friend because i had the same problem! i took the blue plastic part from one of my used injections, removed the used vial, then used a pair of needle nose or side cutters and cut the spring off of the blue plastic part! then when im ready to use an injections i simply remove a full vial from the holder with the pen, unscrew it, remove the full vial from the blue plastic thing, slide it into the one i cut the spring off of, place that on the thigh or arm, tap the back of it with your finger (pushing the needle in), use your qtip, inject approx and quickly remove! i put the vial back into its original container for storage or disposal if empty! hope that makes sense and or helps!

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NorCal78 CH.com Newbie Offline Aren't you gonna take your skates off? Posts: 12 x1\|Chico\|USA\|usa\|27\|130\|CA,California Gender:	Re: Imitrex tip question Reply #5 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 4:22pm so here's my main questions, 1) How deep does the needle go into you? (all the way in or half way in or less than half way in?) 2) What is the best injection spot? (shoulder, lower thigh, upper thigh, etc?) 3) Do I leave the needle in after injection, if so how long?
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angela.lambert CH.com Veteran Offline Support Alaska Commercial Fisherman Posts: 182 petersburg,alaska Gender:	Re: Imitrex tip question Reply #6 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 4:33pm 1) for me, all the way 2) for me, upper bicep 3) for me, fast count of 10 Anybody else??
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Lawmandave CH.com Junior Offline If you want peace, prepare for war!!! Posts: 33 Johnstown, Pa Gender:	Re: Imitrex tip question Reply #7 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 4:49pm 1. i say half! the reason i say that is if you unscrew the blue plastic aplicator from the pen and push the spring down (imitating discharginging the pen) it only exposes aprox half of the needle which is what im thinking would be injected into the skin! 2. i normally alternate shoulders 3. a few seconds.
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bejeeber

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Re: Imitrex tip question
Reply #8 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 5:27pm

1. Half oughta be fine (according to credible folks who answered this question on another thread)

2. Belly. Belly belly belly. Pinch a bit o' belly, a very easy and not a very painful at all injection site. I read about it here, and I'm definitely not the only one doing this.

3. Couple seconds is fine as far as I know.

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« Last Edit: Nov 27^th, 2009 at 1:37am by bejeeber »

CH according to Bejeeber:

Strictly relying on doctors for CH treatment is often a prescription that will keep you in a whole lot of PAIN. Doctors are WAY behind in many respects, and they are usually completely unaware of the benefits of high flow 100% O2.

There are lots of effective treatments documented at this site. Take matters into your own hands, learn as much as you can here and at clusterbusters.com, put it into practice, then tell this CH beast Jeebs said hello right before you bash him so hard with a swift uppercut knockout punch that his stupid horns go flinging right off.

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Bob P CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Shut up Bob! Posts: 4573 Clio,California Gender:	Re: Imitrex tip question Reply #9 - Nov 26^th, 2009 at 7:04am I place the vial in the middle on thigh and tap the back end of it with my finger til it is about 1/4" into the skin. No need to leave the needle in when you are manually injecting.
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Mac_Muz

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Re: Imitrex tip question
Reply #10 - Nov 27^th, 2009 at 3:19pm

It's been awhile since I have posted anything here.

If you plan to pull the glass barrel out of the holder, and push the plunger with a q-tip, you can choose any place with fatty tissue on your body. The flank of your butt, about any place on a thigh, any place on the upper arm, with some extra flesh. The belly which has been suggested.

What you don't want to hit is an artery or vein directly. You need not get deep onto anyplace else, so no intramuscular shots.

I store the glass barrel back into the holders myself, and for the last 2mg's I just use the applicator as it was intended.

If you do that, the time delay is so the spring has a moment to push the plunger.

When you do this by hand, you can see that the meds have been pushed, so no need to delay.

Just clean up before and after, don't get antsy, you will end it, and be better off for it.

I don't understand how the pills worked a bit... You suffer a long time while they just begin to start doing anything, or that was my experience. Mac

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