Any advice … wipes

[ExtraOnions]

Been on Mounjaro from Med Express, and I’ve developed a bit of an odd problem.

..it’s the smell of the antiseptic wipe .. as every week goes on, it’s made me feel more and more nauseous , and last night I threw up from the smell.

No idea if my sense of smell has been made more acute, by the drug .. but now I’m starting to heave just thinking of that smell.

So can anyone recommend a smell-free wipe alternative ?????

I don't even bother with the wipe to be honest. I'm always freshly showered.

The wipe isn't for you, it's for the pen.

OP, I would ask a pharmacist or your provider. I'd be surprised if it's the first time this has come up. I don't really like the smell personally but I don't react as badly as you do.

Unpopular opinion.
You don't actually need to use the wipes. There is no mention of needing to use them on the Eli Lilly leaflet.
From what I have read nurses / diabetics who use insulin needles don't use wipes and they are included in the packs from pharmacies as a bit of a security blanket.

What do you mean it’s for the pen? Which bit do you think you are cleaning?

It states in the instruction leaflet to wipe the red seal at the end of the pen before attaching the needle.

It’s only been recently I’ve been sent them. If you’re showered and using a fresh needle I highly doubt you need them.

My mistake.. yes you just need to use them for wiping the pen

Thanks all… I’ll certainly look into the option of not using them. That smell is making me so ill

@giggly

I can't quote a quoted post on the app but the wipe is for the red seal where you put the fresh needle on the pen.

Don't just not use them OP, see if you can get an alternative or otherwise can you get someone else to wipe the pen for you elsewhere in the house and then bring it to you? You really should make sure the seal is wiped.

@ExtraOnions these are alcohol free

I have the same issue, thought it was just me. I haven't actually been sick yet but the nausea when I smell them is awful. I also get waves of nausea if I smell anything remotely antiseptic smelling at other times too.
I just do a quick wipe of the pen and then dispose of the wipe so it's all over in a few seconds. The nausea passes quite quickly then.

Thank goodness it’s not just me. It’s the same for me, the faintest wiff of sometime similar, and I’m queasy again (makes going to the care home to see mum difficult)

I could get someone else to do it. My sense of smell for these things just seems so sensitive.

Right now, just thinking of it, has me feeling ill again.

Do you have anyone else who would wipe the seal and add the needle for you so you don't need to smell it?

If not then maybe saline wipes would be the next best thing...

I assume that decontaminating the seal before screwing in the needle is done to prevent contamination of the liquid inside the pen. I've never had to do this with other pen injections, but since the manufacturer requires it I presume that it is necessary.

I leave my pen out of the fridge the day before the first injection so that it is at room temperature when I inject, trusting that it will still be safe 29 days later when I use the final dose.

If I was going to ignore the requirement to clean the seal I would probably keep the pen in the fridge, only taking it out to inject and never allowing it to warm up. Hopefully that would delay the growth of any contaminants pushed into the liquid when the needle is attached.

Any old covid masks hanging about/or a scarf around your nose/mouth you could put on during the wipe? Or holding it arms length to reduce the smell.

I personally wouldn't omit this step but I know many do.

Have you read the instructions? The wipe is for the pen, not you.

I inject whilst reclining on the bed (not completely lying down, propped up with pillows) so in that position, perhaps you could cover your nose with a freshly laundered flannel or pull your top up over your nose for a few seconds so it doesn't dominate your nostrils so much. I don't love the smell either as I've now associated it with injecting which I don't particularly enjoy... I guess nobody does!