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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Needle free Imitrex injections
        
(Message started by: byoung111 on Jan 4^th, 2005, 5:50pm)

Title: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by byoung111 on Jan 4^th, 2005, 5:50pm

Hello Everyone,

After getting a percription for imitrex and learning what a savior it was I decided I wanted it in vial form because my insurance would cover more. I wasn't crazy about sticking myself with the injector all the time, and I didn't want to carry needles with me so I decided to look into needle free injectors. After doing some research on the internet, I found a product called Injex 30 (www.injex.com) was the best solution out there. The base cost is $329 from (diabeticsupplies.com). The disposable ampules are $54 per 100, and the vial adapters are $14 per 10. That was the easy part. The hard part was finding out if insurance would cover it, and if I could order it from a pharmacy. I had several pharmacy's tell me they could order it, only to get a call the next day saying they couldn't. The insurance company had no idea what I was talking about. After 2 weeks of phone calls the insurance company said they would cover the injector only under durrable medical. That's ok with me.

The ad's stated a pain free shot. I think they exaggerated a little. Your shooting .25ml through your skin in a split second. It stings a little, but not as bad as the Stat-dose pen, and it doesn't leave a bruse. You do have to make sure you press aginst your skin firmly, or the medication will come out. They give you some saline solution to test with. And I didn't notice any difference in how long the medication took to set in. 10 to 15 minutes for me.

Hopefully this will help other people out who are interested. If anyone has any questions, let me know.

Thanks and PFDAN to all.

Brian

Title: Re: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by don on Jan 4^th, 2005, 7:01pm

Quote:

Your shooting .25ml through your skin in a split second.

What does that convert to in Mgs and are you even talking about imitrex? Didn't see a drug listing on the site.

Title: Re: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 4^th, 2005, 7:26pm

It sounds interesting. Can you give us a little more detail.

Did your insurance pay for it ? Are the disposable ampules for the pneumatic injector or are you talking about disposable Imitrex ampules ? Will it work if you use only 3mg of Imitrex ? Does it have a safety feature so if you move prior to pulling the trigger, you won't cut your arm as the high pressure spray crosses your skin ?

Title: Re: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by byoung111 on Jan 4^th, 2005, 8:29pm

.25ml=3mg of Imitrex solution

As of yet I have not received the check from the insurance company, but they are supposed to cover the $349 for the starter kit. The ampules and vial adapters are out of pocket.

The disposable ampules are for the injector. They are what you use to draw the solution from the vial. You can draw any amount of solution you want from your vial.

As far as saftey goes there is a trigger lock that you must move before you can give the shot.

This isn't really a pneumatic device. It's more in the ram-rod range. The injector is spring loaded, and when you press the trigger it hammers down on a plunger in the ampule which forces the solution through the skin. Then the mouse gets the cheese :) Sounds pleasent.

Title: Re: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jan 4^th, 2005, 8:53pm

There was an earlier thread on this subject, but I remember thinking it was the drug companies' way of making us take an entire dose instead of splitting them (as many of us do).

In other words, a way they can make more money.

However, I'll wait to judge until I hear a little more. Sounds like your experience has been OK, but I'm anxious to hear how your insurance company responds over the long haul.

Keep us informed.

Kris

Title: Re: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by Mr. Happy on Jan 4^th, 2005, 11:18pm

Man.......that's GREAT you can report on the filthy Injex 30. I've been hot on these little puppies since the first time I read about `em, and posted so in the past. Don't use injectibles myself, but if I did, this would DEFINITELY be the way I'd go. Granted, it's not cheap if not covered, but it's still affordable compared to some of the medical crap that's out there. Nice thing is the lack of contaminated medical waste. Much more acceptable in a public setting than needles. Almost like Bones giving Kirk a stim.

I'd appreciate any more input you have on this unit. Great to see somebody is finally trying one of these things.
RJ

Title: Re: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by byoung111 on Jan 4^th, 2005, 11:40pm

on 01/04/05 at 20:53:51, Kris_in_SJ wrote:

There was an earlier thread on this subject, but I remember thinking it was the drug companies' way of making us take an entire dose instead of splitting them (as many of us do).

The Imitrex people are working on a needle free system, but this is not part of their project.
My insurance company pays for the starter kit only. It's the most expensive part and it will not need to be replaced. I've also been able to get them to cover as much imitrex as my Dr. will prescribe.

This system was originally designed for diabetics. So you have the ability to give yourself whatever dose you want.

I travel a lot, so the cost of the system didn't matter much to me. I like not haveing any dangerous waste. Granted the stat-dose system is self contained.

Before I got this system, I was having an attack one night, and pulled out a fresh stat-dose cartridge. I pulled the needle out so I could give myself a half shot. I pulled out a pocket knife to cut the label off the needle. By mistake I dropped the knife and cut my leg. :-X That was when I decided to go this route.

Title: Re: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by E-Double on Jan 5^th, 2005, 7:48am

Not being a wisa$$ but you could try just using your finger nails (even if really short) to peel the label back...... No risk in causing major bodily harm.

I think the needless-pen is pretty cool and though I have no real interest because the needles do not bother me nor really hurt I think it could be a lot less messy and produce less of a stigma if someone happens to catch a glimpse of what you are doing.

Good luck,

E.

Title: Re: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by byoung111 on Jan 5^th, 2005, 8:55am

on 01/05/05 at 07:48:52, E-Double wrote:

Not being a wisa$$ but you could try just using your finger nails (even if really short) to peel the label back...... No risk in causing major bodily harm.

My wife gave me a hard time for a while after that. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Who knew!

Title: Re: Needle free Imitrex injections
Post by E-Double on Jan 5^th, 2005, 12:14pm

on 01/05/05 at 08:55:57, byoung111 wrote:

My wife gave me a hard time for a while after that. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Who knew!

They like to bust our ball$ huh!? lol....

Feel good man!