I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 05:47:35 AM

Login with username, password and session length
Search:     Advanced search
532606 Posts in 33561 Topics by 12678 Members
Latest Member: astrobridge
* Home Help Search Login Register
+  I Hate Dialysis Message Board
|-+  Dialysis Discussion
| |-+  Dialysis: General Discussion
| | |-+  Booooo!!!! My clinic is switching to aranesp. :(
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. « previous next »
Pages: [1] Go Down Print
Author Topic: Booooo!!!! My clinic is switching to aranesp. :(  (Read 6535 times)
mariannas
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 136

« on: December 02, 2007, 12:24:52 PM »

Since I started PD I have been giving myself EPO injections and loving it.  They don't hurt and are no worse than my insulin injections...a far cry from when I used to have to have aranesp injections.  I don't know if it's because I don't really have any fat on my upper arms (where they administer the injections), but arenesp stung like a !$*/^#.  I hated it and dreaded going into my doctor's office every 3 weeks.  Well now the clinic is switching over to aranesp completely.   >:(  No way am I going to be able to give myself the shot.  I just cannot bring myself to do something that is going to hurt that bad.  Hopefully we'll be able to work something out since I've been on it before and I can at least have an every 3 week schedule like I was on before.  All I know for sure is that they are going to have to do it.  *grump*
Logged
Aldente
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
Posts: 105

« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2007, 12:42:37 PM »

I'm sorry to hear about the pain. 

When you were giving yourself EPO what injection site were you using?  When I take EPO I use either the belly or the upper legs.  Are you saying that you have to change to the upper arm because of the new drug?  According to the Aranesp directions you should be able to administer the drug in the same locations as EPO.

http://www.fda.gov/medwAtch/safety/2005/Aranesp_PI_10-26-05.pdf



Logged
stauffenberg
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 1134

« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2007, 01:15:56 PM »

The problem with Aranesp is that the bore of the syringe is ludicrously wide -- much wider than it has to be for the substance to pass through.  One way to deal with self-injection of Aranesp if the bore of the syringe hurts is simply to transfer the contents of the syringe to an insulin syringe, which has a much narrower bore.  I have done this several times with little loss of Aranesp during the transfer and only a little trouble getting rid of the air bubbles.  However, after a while you can get used to the Aranesp syringe bore as well, as I have.

Keep in mind that Aranesp and EPO, although similar, are different drugs, and with Aranesp you are getting a very different therapeutic effect by having a much smaller intensity of stimulus to the bone marrow to make red blood cells, but one which continues to act longer and more gradually.  So the change has more to do than with just switching from a comfortable to an uncomfortable syringe bore.
Logged
mariannas
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 136

« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2007, 01:25:46 PM »

It's not the needle stick that gets me, it's the incredible burning sensation that comes while the shot is being administered. 

Also, I give my EPO and most of my insulin in my butt.  I'm pretty flexible so I can reach back there really easily.  I have an extreme phobia about belly injections - especially after receiving heparin injections there this summer.  *shudder*
Logged
paris
Member for Life
******
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 8859


« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2007, 03:53:47 PM »

Yes, it Aranesp does burn as it is injected. I can feel it from my upper arm to past my elbow.  But, as Staffenberg stated, it works different than Epo. They give me Aranesp when my numbers are low and can't keep a good level.  It is longer lasting and not needed as often.  So, I will be on one for months with good results, but then my numbers go wacky and they switch to the other. I don't care what they do as long as they can keep my hemoglobin above 11!  A few moments of pain is worth the trade off.  Hope you can make the adjustment with too little discomfort.
Logged



It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.
mariannas
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 136

« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2007, 05:44:39 PM »

Yeah...I know Aranesp and EPO work differently although my numbers have been higher (hematocrit and hemoglobin) since I started the EPO.  I know I have to do it, but I figured I could whine a little bit about it too.  I'm disappointed that I'll have to change from doing it myself to getting it done (since I'm too weenie) and making yet another extra trip to the clinic.  I know whine, whine, whine... ;D
Logged
Romona
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 3777

« Reply #6 on: December 02, 2007, 06:12:23 PM »

You can whine all you want. I ran away from a nurse that was going to give me my arensp shot in the stomach at the hospital. I have two neighbors that are nurses they gave me my shots when I came home. Because of a mix up I couldn't get my needles, so we used the insulin needles. Good Luck to you! :cuddle;
Logged
jbeany
Member for Life
******
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 7536


Cattitude

« Reply #7 on: December 02, 2007, 06:36:37 PM »

mariannas, if you are going to be doing it at home, then demand insulin syringes, and also warm up the shot in the palms of your hands before you give it to yourself.  I also find that the slower the injection, the less it stings.  I'll actually stop pushing the syringe down for a couple of seconds when it starts to hurt.  Wait until the pain stops, and inject a tiny bit more each time.  One quick jab burns like crazy, but doing it a little bit at a time is only a bit prickly.
Logged

"Asbestos Gelos"  (As-bes-tos yay-lohs) Greek. Literally, "fireproof laughter".  A term used by Homer for invincible laughter in the face of death and mortality.

goofynina
Member for Life
******
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 6429


He is the love of my life......

« Reply #8 on: December 02, 2007, 06:43:36 PM »

and also ask for the 1ml 25g 5/8 syringes, they seem to be extremely small needles,  :2thumbsup;
Logged

....and i think to myself, what a wonderful world....

www.kidneyoogle.com
mariannas
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 136

« Reply #9 on: December 02, 2007, 07:47:27 PM »

I actually already have insulin needles with veeeeeery small tips so I am all set there.  I will have to see if I can do it.  For some reason these shots just really get to me.  I mean geeze, I've had so many pokes and prods throughout my life, but for some reason IVs and aranesp shots send me into a panic. 
Logged
Romona
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 3777

« Reply #10 on: December 02, 2007, 08:30:17 PM »

You are not alone. IV's hurt pretty bad sometimes. I also had a hard time with Arensp. I'm rooting for you! :grouphug;
Logged
paddbear0000
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 2384


Dogs & IHDer's are always glad to see you!

WWW
« Reply #11 on: December 03, 2007, 02:03:57 PM »

Don't even get me started on IVs--especially when they put them in the back of the hand!  :o
Logged

********************************************************
I HAVE DESIGNED CKD RELATED PRODUCTS FOR SALE TO BENEFIT THE NKF'S 2009 DAYTON KIDNEY WALK (I'M A TEAM CAPTAIN)! CHECK IT OUT @ www.cafepress.com/RetroDogDesigns!!

...or sponsor me at http://walk.kidney.org/goto/janetschnittger
********************************************************
Twitter.com/NKFKidneyWalker
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1659267443&ref=nf 
www.caringbridge.org/visit/janetschnittger

Diagnosed type 1 diabetic at age 6, CKD (stage 3) diagnosed at 28 after hospital error a year before, started dialysis February '09. Listed for kidney/pancreas transplant at Ohio State & Univ. of Cincinnati.
mariannas
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 136

« Reply #12 on: December 12, 2007, 07:49:33 PM »

YESSSSSS!!!  I WIN!!!  My doctor and the Kidney Center agreed that I could stay on EPO since I have private insurance.  I have to get it through a different pharmacy since the Kidney Center can no longer get it and my doctor will adjust the dose instead of the KC nurses. 

I am so relieved.  I was absolutely dreading having to start back with the aranesp.
Logged
Black
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 1243


« Reply #13 on: December 12, 2007, 08:08:20 PM »

Don't even get me started on IVs--especially when they put them in the back of the hand!  :o

Yeah, the hand is often more painful, but it depends on the person doing it.  Just be glad you have someone doing it that way.   :2thumbsup;  They are saving your arm veins from the scarring that IVs can cause, which can make a natural A/V fistula impossible.  Many techs and nurses are either ignorant, or don't care, and use the arm.  >:(
Logged

Lorelle

Husband Mike Diagnosed with PKD Fall of 2004
Fistula Surgery  1/06
Fistula Revision  11/06
Creatinine 6.9  1/07
Started diaysis 2/5/07 on NxStage
Lucinda
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 664


Life is great!

« Reply #14 on: January 28, 2009, 11:51:00 AM »

I just saw this old thread on Aranesp because I was wondering if any of you were on it as you all talk about EPO.  The Aranesp does sting but we get it over here in a Sureclick syringe which you just press against your leg and click.  For those having problems, it is far worse when it is still cold.  I leave it out of the fridge for up to four hours before I use it and that usually reduces the sting.  Aranesp is stable for up to two days at room temperature so it is fine to leave it out of the fridge for a period before administering. Makes a huge difference!
Logged
Zach
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
Posts: 4820


"Still crazy after all these years."

« Reply #15 on: January 28, 2009, 12:33:14 PM »


Aranesp is stable for up to two days at room temperature ...


That's good to know, Lucinda.

EPO can't stay out of the refrigerator too long because it might lose some of its potency.

8)
Logged

Uninterrupted in-center (self-care) hemodialysis since 1982 -- 34 YEARS on March 3, 2016 !!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No transplant.  Not yet, anyway.  Only decided to be listed on 11/9/06. Inactive at the moment.  ;)
I make films.

Just the facts: 70.0 kgs. (about 154 lbs.)
Treatment: Tue-Thur-Sat   5.5 hours, 2x/wk, 6 hours, 1x/wk
Dialysate flow (Qd)=600;  Blood pump speed(Qb)=315
Fresenius Optiflux-180 filter--without reuse
Fresenius 2008T dialysis machine
My KDOQI Nutrition (+/ -):  2,450 Calories, 84 grams Protein/day.

"Living a life, not an apology."
Wallyz
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 991


« Reply #16 on: January 28, 2009, 01:07:52 PM »

This was actually the reason my home clinic went to Aranesp- they had too much EPO go bad in transport.
Logged
RichardMEL
Member for Life
******
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
Posts: 6154


« Reply #17 on: January 28, 2009, 03:44:58 PM »

I'm on Aranesp and it seems to work fine for me no issues (and since they administer it through the machine that's one less prick I have to deal with!) though our unit also administer EPO. I think it depends on what particular doctors perscribe for their patients. My only real concern is watching that my hemoglobin doesn't go too high. Anything over 120 and I start to worry!
Logged



3/1993: Diagnosed with Kidney Failure (FSGS)
25/7/2006: Started hemo 3x/week 5 hour sessions :(
27/11/2010: Cadaveric kidney transplant from my wonderful donor!!! "Danny" currently settling in and working better every day!!! :)

BE POSITIVE * BE INFORMED * BE PROACTIVE * BE IN CONTROL * LIVE LIFE!
jessup
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 773


Gemma - the tucker monster

« Reply #18 on: February 03, 2009, 02:02:13 AM »

I'm on Aranesp and it seems to work fine for me no issues (and since they administer it through the machine that's one less prick I have to deal with!) though our unit also administer EPO. I think it depends on what particular doctors perscribe for their patients. My only real concern is watching that my hemoglobin doesn't go too high. Anything over 120 and I start to worry!
I don't understand this mate
What happens if hemoglobin goes too high?
I have not been aware of this issue
Just wondering about dear Dad and his hemoglobin
Logged
jessup
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 773


Gemma - the tucker monster

« Reply #19 on: February 03, 2009, 02:05:29 AM »

Oh I just read another thread
so now I know
Will now check what's happening with Dad
Logged
monrein
Member for Life
******
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 8323


Might as well smile

« Reply #20 on: February 03, 2009, 05:59:22 AM »

I've always been on Aranesp.  No issues I'm aware of.
Logged

Pyelonephritis (began at 8 mos old)
Home haemo 1980-1985 (self-cannulated with 15 gauge sharps)
Cadaveric transplant 1985
New upper-arm fistula April 2008
Uldall-Cook catheter inserted May 2008
Haemo-dialysis, self care unit June 2008
(2 1/2 hours X 5 weekly)
Self-cannulated, 15 gauge blunts, buttonholes.
Living donor transplant (sister-in law Kathy) Feb. 2009
First failed kidney transplant removed Apr.  2009
Second trx doing great so far...all lab values in normal ranges
Pages: [1] Go Up Print 
« previous next »
 

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP SMF 2.0.17 | SMF © 2019, Simple Machines | Terms and Policies Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!