In 2000, the Avonex needle size was like a pencil if you were the one receiving the shot!  I was terrified of injections and had been all of my life. As a patient, I am also a customer. That means I don’t have to do everything I am told and taking that shot with such an unreasonable needle size was the first time I rejected an order.

Discovering the pharmacy carried a variety of needles, I substituted the pencil for a smaller needle. Today I see Avonex has several options for their medication including flexibility in needle size when ordering the prescription. Be sure to discuss this with the doctor.

Other secrets I have: If the you find IVs painful ask for a lidocaine injection to numb the area. If you are receiving an MRI with contrast and they come at you with the full-size IV needle, request the butterfly – a much smaller IV and gets the job done.

Visit Avonex: Getting Started with Avonex Injections at http://www.avonex.com/avonex-injectionfor-ms.xml for more information. Image from dianajuvenille.wordpress.com.