Fao Squad....and Anyone Who Can Help..

[janzman]

....part of Mrs jan's chemotherapy treatment involves self injecting of 'Filgrastim'. Sticking a needle into herself is very unpleasant and is quite traumatic for her. Is there anything you can suggest to ease this procedure and make it more comfortable.
Also to a layman like myself I wonder why this medicine is only available in injection format and not in pill or tablet form.

[anneasquith]

Could you or a family member do it ?

[Eve]

It is a syringe type or more of a pen type injector and is there any choice over where on her body she can inject?

[Sqad]

Difficult one.
It only has to be injected beneath the skin (subcutaneous)and should not be too painful.If MrsJ is so uncomfortable with the procedure, then ask the District Nurse to do it.

\\\I wonder why this medicine is only available in injection format and not in pill or tablet form.\\
Probably because it is not absorbed via the gut.

[silliemillie]

i had the district nurse do mine everyday until I had seen it done enough times to be confident enough to do it myself.x

[janzman]

Thanks everyone for that.

At what angle should the needle be to the skin eg 90 degrees 45???

[Sqad]

For your wife's injection (subcutaneous) 45deg.

[janzman]

thanks again Sqad

[bednobs]

if she doen;t like doing it, could you?

[janzman]

>> if she doesn't like doing it, could you

[bednobs]

yes i could, but i don't think im that close to you :0)