Somatuline must be injected in the lower part of your back (you are seated on). Once in the right side, once in the left. I don't see how you can inject it by yourself.
I'm phobic about needles in general, but the Somatuline needle was the biggest I ever saw. And almost fainted !
Better let the nurse do it and keep your eyes closed. The injection itself is unpleasant but not paintful. Side effects are different for each of us. For me it caused too many troubles and after 3 monthly injections I decided to stop it. Last Somatuline dose was one year ago.

It remind me i was given a waist can were i have to keep the old needles and bring them back to the pharmacy (special destruction). It is still on the shelve. Can't even put the closed box in my car. A real phobia :-)

Never tried the Sandostatin, can't compare.

Good luck !

I had Somatuline injected by a nurse, however it is possible to do it yourself. See Wayne's video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqbubhgn71s

Thanks for your thoughtd and for the video link.....

I had 3 injections at the doctor's office and, once I knew it was working and I appeared to be on the right dose, I decided to try it myself. The drug company sent a nurse to train me. We took our time, practiced on a stress ball, and then after several false starts I stuck myself!

I was told that your thigh is an acceptable alternative to the upper outer "flank"--and I agree that doing the back yourself would be awfully difficult. I will see once I am a pro at this if somehow I can swing it.

I don't think the needle really hurts going in...it is the fear of pain. The needle is very intimidating. But I am proof that it can be done (at least once!) and I will know more when I can successfully do it all by myself next month.

I did the switch precisely because I wanted to inject it myself. The procedure is unpleasant, but better than going to see a doctor every four weeks. To me the medication caused digestion problems and I do not feel very well a few days after the injection. But otherwise it's OK.

Yarick,

Do you think the lanreotide is as effective as the octreotide at suppressing hgh and igf-1 levels?

Ledgy

You are real heroes !
I could'nt deal even with the home kit to check glycemia, with the very small needle who jump out to get a drop of blood. Every time I pressed on the kit with the right hand, the left hand would automaticly move away from the needle.

Ledgy,

Yes, think it is as effective.

You may find this useful: http://acromegalybloggers.blogspot.com/2008/05/somatuline-autogel.html

Yarick

my son is having his sandostatin LAR injections done at home- atnea pays for the nursing service find out if your insurance does also Novartis is pham company that emailed me about this service

kakag,

thanks for the tip.....i will look into it.

Acromegaly Connections (Somatuline) is going to be hosting informative events around the country (two on right now, with more to come...) After their informational piece, Acromegaly Community will be hosting a social gathering for patients, loved ones, and friends.

www.AcromegalyConnections.com for more info

There is a lancet device for the process of measuring glucose levels that I find almost painless (& it can be adjusted for differing thicknesses of skin which could be an issue for many of us & it allows you to check blood in other places than your fingers with an adaptor). It's also convenient because it holds 17 lancets at a time & is less frustrating to "handle" with hands that are not always so cooperative. It's from Accu-Check & it's the Multi-Click product.

I found the Somatuline needle to be smaller than the S-LAR needle & I DID give myself injections in the "sitterdowner" when I first started S-LAR (without any training or help of any sort). It was because of the fact that it could be injected in the thigh that I wanted the Somatuline. The ONE time I had it, I had so few symptoms I wondered if it was doing its' job for my body, but the levels were about the same as they'd been on S-LAR. If I didn't have a different option at the moment other than those 2, I'd choose the Somatuline, but I still preferred the 3X daily octreotide injections because I felt more in control & experienced fewer breakthrough symptoms & had a considerably smaller needle.

Ledgy, I take it you are done w/ the clinical trial?

Hi rose,

Thanks for your ideas. I am still on the clinical trial.....they pulled me off (what i believe was) the pasireotide because i did not reach their ideal igf-1 level....i believe i am on octreotide and i am doing fairly well....the trial will end in december and i am thinking about a switch to lanreotide now....

By the way, the early talk among the researchers is that pasireotide really is not any better than octreotide.....

Dr. B @ UofM had discussed the possibility of pairing something like S-LAR w/ cabergoline & possibly because I had MESSA @ that time he mentioned Pegvisomant/somavert which is not always an option, especially @ the beginning because of its' price.

Did you read Alone in My Universe yet?

Yes, I am taking the sandostatin lar with the cabergoline. I think i finally have the right mix of the two and i am feeling much better....

From what i have heard pegvisomont is the drug to use only if the others do not work because, while it effectively reduces igf-1, it also causes tumor growth.......

No, i have not read the book......i kind of feel like i have gathered all the info i need from this site, and from my conversations with my researcher at the clinical trial.