Maybe, since it's psychological, you can have your wife help Ask her to do something SHE doesn't like doing while you're injecting, in a misery-loves-company diversion technique. Maybe knowing that she's in the bathroom scrubbing a toilet until you give her the all clear will help. Or sit-ups! You know she hates sit-ups!

I promise you that she (I) will do anything to make it easier

Hi TaoWarrior. I was only diagnosed about 1 1/2 years ago. I have been on Avonex for about a year now. And I guess I must tell you that I am a nurse who cannot give herself an IM injection. I have tried to give myself the shot before just because I was mad at my husband and wanted to "show him". LOL. I ended up waking him up after I spent an hour in the bathroom pricking myself with the needle while I was trying to give myself the shot and crying about it the whole time.
So, there is my ridiculous story. I guess I'm just wondering if there is someone else who can give you the injection. I noticed that the other comment referred to "your wife". Did she not take the training that they provide so she can give you the injection?
I give my husband and myself allergy shots each week. But that is a very different story since it is like an insulin needle and the shot only goes into the "fatty" tissue.
Also, you might want to try getting the shorter needles for your injections. The easiest way is to get a prescription from your doctor and take it to your pharmacy. They can get the needles for you. The needles I use are only 1". That 1/4" does seem to make a difference. At least for me.

Take care of yourself. - T

PS: You can also try numbing the area with ice before you take the shot. Also, it has been suggested to take the shot in a relaxing environment. You could try some soothing music and/or candles to help you relax. And make sure there are no distractions that will make you nervous or tense.

Thanks,

My wife did not go through the training the scheduling was just not working and after almost two weeks of trying to set something up where we both could be there I decided I needed to start on the Avonex and quit putting it off. Since the problems started I keep meaning to call and see if I can get a second training with her and I keep forgetting to call. Maybe seeing this first thing this morning will keep it top of mind today. The only problem is my wife has an actual phobia of needles and I'm not sure she would have an easier time than me but she did say she was willing to try.

I have requested the shorter needles and they said they would send some to me but when they got here it was the same 1.25" needles. I will talk to my neurologist and see about getting the shorter ones.

This past friday I still had problems but managed to get it done on Saturday. It was actually not nearly as bad as I had built it up in my head to be so I am thinking I may have weathered the crisis.

Thanks allot for your suggestions it sure helps a lot more than "You just have to do it" which is what the nurse at my nero told me, and I like her a lot but I could have gone for the throat with that one.

If you give it in the mid lateral thigh, you can take you hand and squeez up the muscle. Once the needle (considering this is IM) is in place, release the muscle, draw back for blood and the inject. Now, if you have someone that can give it to your in the upper arm area, have that person follow the same proceedure. Try not to procrastinate and make it a target practice. The quicker you get it in, the quicker it is over. Then like the above poster said, you can message the area or put a local analgesic on it for pain. Ask you doctor about some topical Lidocaine.

MsSky

Disclaimer: In no way is this a diagnosis. Just a tib bit I learned giving injections for 5 years. Hope this helps Tao.

Hello I was dio'd in 2000 I am on Betasuron and they have a auto inject that really helps I do the thigs wife does arms a rear,anyway try rubbing ice on the injection spot to num it some and afterwards if sore.