Hi, Leslie,

This happened to me once.  My doc didn't warn me about the burn.  After that, I just took a deep breath and reminded myself the burn only lasts for ten seconds.  Then I would count, and it would be done.  Don't feel bad. That burn is nothing to discount.  But if it works, it is worth it, sweetie.

Hugs,

V

this is not your fault at all, Leslie. all that information told you a bunch of things, but they probablydidn't tell you one of the most important aspects of Humira: it stings like a... well, decency prevents me from writing down what it stings like, but it's intense. I've been on Humira for five years and I still swear like a sailor every time I get it. Sometimes, it stings a little less, sometimes it stings a lot, but the end result is that it's a bit of a shock to the system. Some people say numbing the injection area before the shot can help - wrap an ice cube in a dishtowel and put it on skin. For me, pinching the belly fat really hard and holding that pinch while you inject makes it tolerable (if you have trouble pinching yourself, maybe your daughter can help). I still swear, but can get through it. Afterwards, I place and tissue or a piece of gauze on the injection area and hold it gently against the skin. Pushing hard makes the sting continue. If a little of the medication leaks out, so be it.

good luck with your next shot! Let us know how it goes?

Leslie

9/16/12 8:32am

Well, good news! Did my second injection and managed to get it right! Saw my RD and he said to leave it out of the fridge an hour and numb the area with ice first to reduce the burn. But this time I knew it was coming too. Still swore,lol! You're right, the tighter you can get that pinch, the better. It's not easy, but it is worth it! The really good news - even after my first botched injection, I felt enormously better about three days afterwards. It wore off before time for the next injection but I am hopeful that with a full dose, I will get even better response. I was stunned by the speed and degree of improvement and at first thought, this must be purely coincidence but my RD says it can in fact be the humira. And it could work a lot better in 3 to 6 months - a very hopeful thought! I eagerly await the effects of this last injection!

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

9/17/12 10:35am

first... Do NOT leave Humira out of the fridge for an hour! It can become ineffective. It must never be out of the fridge for more than tops 20 minutes.Leaving it out longer will make your pharmacist nervous and in this kind of situation, I listen to my pharmacist. What makes the sting is not cold, but the one of the preservatives used for the medication is citric acid (at least that's my impression). besides,numbing the area and doing the hard pinch would probably take care of most of the sting.

 

Second  - should really have done this first, but I had to get the other thing out of the way. Congratulations! That's amazing that it worked that fast. I've heard of Enbrel kicking in that quickly, but Humira usually takes a couple of months to build up. With your fast response, you should be rockclimbing by mid-October. I'm so happy for you. Please keep us posted on how things go over the next couple of weeks.