Oh What a Day! (coffee contest continues)

Published by on

Winner is: Tenille —> email me @ kim (@) mommyknows (dot) com.

Today was a HUGE day for me. I started a ‘clinical drug trial’ to treat my MS. For the next 3 years I will give myself 8 injections a week (7 subcutaneous and 1 intramuscular). I spent the day at the hospital learning how to give myself the injections, parting with about 1/2 cup of blood for another ‘clinical trial’ involving genetics and doing all kinds of tests to measure the level of my disease (pretty low I think).

i have my own bio-hazard container ...
Just look at what I brought home. This is a three months supply. Value $12500.00 –> good thing it was free. I have to keep it all in the fridge, the pharmaceutical company is supposed to bring a ‘fridge lock box’ tomorrow, mostly so Dennis the Menace Georgia won’t get into my stash. They would be deadly for little people.

I’ve never given myself any sort of needle, except for the time in ‘year one’ (about 7th grade) when I pierced my ears with a sewing needle during a math lesson at Dubai College (really attentive teacher). However, giving myself the first two shots turned out to be easy … really, really easy. I’m good … really, really good.

I am relieved giving the injections was so easy. Now I am hoping the side effects are minimum. I am taking 2 drugs, both currently used to treat MS, just not together. One or the other maybe a placebo, but I am guaranteed one drug that works. Both have a BIG looooong list of side effects –> some pretty nasty. So far, so good.

I’ll keep you posted.

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling) in my ‘Have a Coffee on Me’ Contest. If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ‘schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my feed.


22 Comments

Hannah · November 3, 2008 at 7:31 pm

Great news that you got into a clinical trial. What’s the drug? I write for a medical publishing company and used to write in the area of Neurological Disorders so I know quite a bit about MS drugs. Always keep a look out for new drugs in R&D but as I have started writing in a few different areas I’m not totally up with the latest developments in MS.
I’m sure you won’t have too many side effects – the drug companies tend to list every possible AE and half of them don’t happen to 99% of the patients. They just have to cover their butts, LOL ;-)

Hannah’s last blog post..By any other name?

naomi · November 3, 2008 at 7:46 pm

oh my gosh. I am sorry you have to go through this but glad you are getting some treatment…

naomi’s last blog post..Bob has a website!!!

Tenille · November 3, 2008 at 9:07 pm

Is it weird to say Congrats?! Congrats on the drugs sounds weird but you know what I’m saying. That’s wonderful to have that much $$ taken care of like that. I don’t know if I’d be able to give myself a needle either, good for you!

Tenille’s last blog post..Swagbucks really does pay!

ashpags · November 3, 2008 at 9:37 pm

Best of luck! I hope that the drugs are helpful, with few side effects, and that the injections aren’t a hassle!!!

ashpags’s last blog post..Just popping in…

ashpags · November 3, 2008 at 9:38 pm

Oh, and I’m pretty sure that beignets cure all problems and diseases, so you should probably go visit your sis and eat a lot of them. ;)

ashpags’s last blog post..Just popping in…

Michelle · November 3, 2008 at 11:14 pm

Wow, Kim, that’s quite a photo there. I hope all the paraphernalia helps immensely and that everything goes very smoothly. Thinking of you!

Michelle’s last blog post..dress up

Leif Spiel · November 4, 2008 at 3:25 am

It’s a good thing that you can handle the injections well! Sounds like you have no fear of needles, otherwise that might be a much worse adjustment!

LOL to the ear piercing bit. I can remember girls doing this around the same time I was in school as well. Actually, I can remember some dudes doing it too . . .

That’s great though that it is a trial and you can be treated with all of that for free. I wish you the best of luck, and hope that the treatment is successful and with no more than a runny nose for a side effect!

Emily B · November 4, 2008 at 6:24 am

Wow. The prospect of daily needles sounds very scary to me – I’m impressed by your bravery and wish you the best of luck with it! Even better that you’re getting it for free as $12,500 is nothing to sneeze at. I hope it works well for you!

Safire · November 4, 2008 at 7:18 am

Glad you’re handling the shots okay. I had to give myself several shots a day awhile back and towards the end, it was easy. Glad that these are easy now! My mil has MS and she went the natural route with bee pollen and dietary changes, etc. It is not a fun time for anyone and I just want you to know life will change but it will be okay. My mil was diagonised when my husband was 2 years old. He has never remembered his mother being able to run, or even walk well. I hear from his older brothers and sisters that she used to be a force on the dance floor. But now, she is a force with her faith, her empathy, her kindness. She used to be fierce, now she is better. She has said that she never knows why she was afflicted with MS, but she feels she has become a better person because of it. I hope you are able to do the same.

Hugs,
Safire

Safire’s last blog post..Not a Steller Day

divrchk · November 4, 2008 at 7:54 am

Good luck with everything. Is any of this connected to the news story last week that some leukemia drug is halting and reversing MS? I thought that was such awesome news.

anastasia · November 4, 2008 at 9:55 am

Best of luck with everything

anastasia · November 4, 2008 at 9:55 am

blogged about your coffee contest

http://stasymipip.blogspot.com/2008/11/contests-november-42008.html

Heather@It'sTwinsanity · November 4, 2008 at 10:45 am

Wow! That sounds a bit scary and very exciting! I hope that the treatment is successful and that you don’t suffer from any side effects. Good luck!

Heather@It’sTwinsanity’s last blog post..Seriously???

Bonnie · November 4, 2008 at 12:47 pm

Gosh, I had no idea that you had MS. But I’m glad to see you’ve found this trial to help yourself and others. I hope the side effects stay to a minimum.

Bonnie’s last blog post..Shake your tailfeather!

penelope · November 4, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Hope that you have a very positive experience and result with everything!!!

penelope’s last blog post..election fever

katie · November 4, 2008 at 1:04 pm

one of my friends just got diagnosed and started giving herself injections…it has been super hard as she has a big fear of needles! not a good combo!

all the best!

Tamara B. · November 4, 2008 at 6:06 pm

So very happy you were able to get in on clinical drug trial! I have subscribed and please, keep us updated.

Cindi · November 4, 2008 at 7:11 pm

I wish you the best with these clinical trial drugs. I know a man who has used something similar and they have helped him immensely. Cindi

Tania MacLean · November 4, 2009 at 12:43 pm

Kim, I am a good friend of your cousin Jodi. When you were diagnosed with MS she thought I should talk to you. I was diagnosed 8 years ago, and also went through a clinical trial, which is a great way to start any kind of treatment. They are so patient with you, explain everything and really keep an eye on your health. Not to mention the Free Drugs and MRI and such.

In my trial I took the Copaxone Injections and a pill. I kept on the Copaxone after the trial was finished and it changed my life. I feel great, have only had a couple of relapses (compartitively minor) and am able to exist like I do not have MS. The only reminder is that every night before bed I give myself an injection.

Great Websit, and good luck with the trial.

    MommyKnows · November 7, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    @Tania MacLean, Thanks Tania! It’s so nice of you to stop by the blog. We should have coffee some time. I’d love to hear more. I don’t mind the copaxone at all. I hate the Avonex (it awful).

We’re all in a Panic! (coffee contest continues) | mommyknows.com · November 6, 2008 at 9:53 pm

[…] and the drugs, what a pain in the ass (no pun intended)! Obviously, they have to come as well. In a cooler and I […]

OH NO it’s November! | mommyknows - a mommy blog · November 3, 2009 at 10:58 pm

[…] or admit defeat (no defeat admitting permitted here). To spice life up a little, I started my medication (eight injections a week) and decided to drive to California, take part in the Disney machine and […]

Leave a Reply to Heather@It'sTwinsanityCancel reply