Hi Jenny,

I just gave myself my 3rd injection of humira yesterday! I was panickie about it the first two doses, but did much much better yesterday. It does sting, but overall I dont find it too bad. i just keep telling myself, as unpleasant as it is to do this, the results (for me anyways) have been well worth the needle prick and yes, the burning!! After my second shot, i noticed some changes in myself, so i think the medication is working for me, i also still take methotrexate weekly.

Dont worry, each time you get ready for that injection, tell yourself, you can do it, its worth it!!! And yes, dont move the pen until you see the yellow in the glass window, 10 secs!!

take care and good luck!!!

Tonya

Jenny2008

1/30/09 6:24am

Hi Tanya, Thanks for your advice. I will keep an open mind about it! :) And I will be by myself as my husband will be depoyed so I need to learn to give it to myself. Hope you are feeling well, take care.

Tonya Avery

1/30/09 10:48am

An open mind is good. I live alone and give it to myself too. Once you get the hang of it, it really wont be that bad. I sit there all nervous holding it on my leg, waiting for some reason, like that will make a difference, but then i just do it, and wait for that yellow line in the window.

good luck on that and your husbands deployment!!

Jenny, don't feel so bad. Everybody is a bit nervous. At first I got the injectable pen because I was leary of seeing the needle. The first 2 times using it I jumped sky high each time I pushed the button on top & this loud click scared the you know what outta me! LOL

I too had the Humira run down because when I jumped the needle came out. There goes 2 expensive mistakes. I quickly called

Sorry pushed the send button too quick.

But anyway, called the Dr. & asked for the injectable syringe. This worked so much better, no loud noise, in my control, could see right where it was going. The Dr. said he usually doesn't like to prescribe the pen because so many people have trouble with it.

I found the syringe was easy. I look at the top of the syringe, where the gray part is & the plunger, instead of looking at the needle itself. After awhile it will be a breeze. Also use a cold pack to numb the area & you won't feel it as well, plus it helps keep the bruising down too if you use it afterwards as well. If you leave the syringe out for about 15 minutes prior to use, it will sting less because it won't be so cold. For any of you who have had C-sections, that area is numb & perfect to inject. I also like to wait until I have taken my dose of pain meds beforehand & you won't feel it either. Don't take the pain meds just for that but if you take them regularly then why not inject yourself then? Sounds like you will be fine since you've already got past the first few injections.

Jenny2008

1/30/09 6:28am

Thanks for your advice too and the tips. My Rheumatologist also mentioned that I should take it out 10 minutes prior and warm up the pen with my hands. I'll try the ice pack to numb it, that's a good idea. I know, lol the click is loud! Would be better maybe if it isn't so loud and it makes you jump!  I didn't know it comes in regular syringe form. I have Tricare, they cover it but they are strict on how often I can have my prescriptions filled. Hope you are feeling well, take care and glad it's working for you!!

hi Jenny,

I've never taken Humira but I've injected Enbrel now for almost 4 years.  I didn't think injecting would be too bad (at least I don't have to travel 70 miles to get and IV for Remicade and take the whole day off work...).  So The nurse helped me do the first one in the office.  A couple of days later I injected myself.  I was thinking so much about doing the injection right that I was totally unprepared for my reaction as "the patient."   I panicked for some reason, was shaking ( no particular reason that I know of!), and finally asked my husband to just hug me for a while, and he did.  I calmed down after about 2 hours.  

     I thought I'd never do it again, but 3 days later I couldn't wait for the next one - somehow underneath it all, it was helping me, and though I have had some other emotional ups and downs (probably due to my body reacting), overall it has worked out very well.  My only concern is that either it's not working quite so well now, or I'm getting a little bit worse overall.  I take Celebrex along with it, when I can tolerate it, as needed, and that helps A LOT!

     So - good luck and don't give up!  (P.S.  Some women have their husbands give them the shot. Frankly, I'd rather be in control so I know what's happening!  I don't have any problem giving the actual injection, I do get a little itching and redness around it afterward, but not enough to seriously bother me.

Ellen

Jenny2008

2/24/09 10:15pm

Hi Ellen,

Thank you for your post, I appreciate it. :) Today was my 3rd time giving myself the shot and I did it perfectly! I still cringe because it stings badly but fortunately that doesn't last long. I tried numbing the site with an ice pack but I think I'll leave it on longer next time. Like you said, I know it's for the better and is helping. The first time I did it, I was shaking too and was panicky. It's nice to use the pen and not see the needle but the pen is spring-loaded and makes a loud click when the injection begins. When I talked to a Humira nurse, she told me it's normal to have those feelings, especially your first time because it is a big change to have to give yourself an injection. The pain and clicking of the injection added to my fears but she said eventually you get used to it. You are right, we are fortunate that we don't have to travel for infusions and wait to have it done. I hope you are doing well, take care.

Ellen Galo

2/25/09 8:18am

Hi Jeremy, nice to hear from you!.

I don't use a pen, and the needle generally doesn't bother me (could be the one for Humira is larger?  Enbrel uses a 27 1/2 gauge) - except occasionally when I must be trying to inject in a site that's gotten tougher skin, and sometimes pushing doesn't even do it!  I don't know how much Humira has to be injected - with Enbrel, it's 25 ml twice a week (- but some people do 50 ml once a week - I think that would be more convenient but harder, if that makes sense!).  The Enbrel itself doesn't sting.  Frankly, I'm glad to get people's reactions to Humira, because if the Enbrel stopped working, Humira would probably be the next thing to try (unless I went to the antibiotic therapy, and I'd have to find a different, farther doctor to do that...). 

     Good luck with your treatment! 

Ellen

Ellen Galo

2/25/09 8:20am

hi Jenny = I guess my eyes/glasses weren't focusing a few minutes ago, sorry to write "Jeremy" -!

Ellen