Injectible MTX-Another Question | Arthritis Information
Or two or three. As I'm getting closer to Sunday, I'm thinking more about the procedure and wondering about the logistics of the injection. I spoke to a friend who has also used the injectible and she gave me some good information. I'd like to also get your opinions on what I've learned and been told by the nurse.
The nurse said that after inserting the needle, pull back on the plunger a bit to see if there's any blood. That would mean I hit a vein and I should start over. I just learned that I can release the skin that I pinched so that my other hand is free to pull back on the plunger. My friend doesn't do that and never had a problem. Do you check for blood?
Do you slowly push the needle in to your skin from the side or make a quick jab from above?
Do you pinch the skin first or just hit a spot?
Thanks everybody. I'm probably over analyzing this whole thing but if there's an easier way to do this I'd like to know. Just tell me everything you do. For instance, my friend said to get the thinnest needle possible, but be careful when withdrawing the medicine as the thin needle will bend more. Good information. She also said to be careful to watch for a little blood afterward (very little) so as not to stain my clothing. These are things only a person who has "been there" can tell you. Have anything to add?
I pinched the skin, went in at a 45ish degree angle and just jabbed. I never pulled back on the plunger..i figured i had too much fat to ever hit any blood vessals. I did use small gauge insulin needles..you can't really feel those and just like in a doctors office used cotton on the injection spot for just a minute after the injection
you'll be fine...just relax
Hi Jesse88,
I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. I just wanted to let you know that the first injection is the hardest one (emotionally speaking). I am also a diabetic and take several insulin shots each day and the toughest shot I ever gave myself was my first one. I do not pull back on the plunger. You are being given very good instructions and just relax. You will find it is easier than you think. I just pinch up my skin, insert the needle, and inject. Do not hesitate to contact me through a personal message if you have any other questions.
Take care,
Hiking_gal
Here is a link that explains it pretty clearly.
http://www.wikihow.com/Give-an-Injection
If you google -- how to give an injection--- several good instructions show up. It is really easy so please don't get over stressed with it that won't help your RA.
RobinJesse, I have never pulled back to check for blood and I wasn't instructed to. I pinch up a little skin and I push the needle in really slow. I do it that way because I'm such a big baby about the shots, the first time I did it I didn't have the guts to jab it in there fast. I still do it that way just cuz that's how I do it. Oh, and I go from above and I never go in at an angle. Not sayin you shouldn't though. You are going to be fine doing this Jesse. I know you're gonna stress till it's over, that's why you'll laugh at yourself. It's just so dang easy. Oh yeah, don't forget that it's pain free too.Jesse - deep breaths hunny!!! Yer stressin!!! *hugs*
You've got some great advice here, now go relax and forget about RA for a while. Oh oh, and then, when you go to do the shot, you have to scream like Joe Swanson from Family Guy "LETS DO THIS!!!!!!" Hehehehehe
You have no idea wth I'm talking about, do you.......*sigh*
The MTX injection was a lot more comfortable after I noticed it did not burn. But I still freaked because well there is a needle involved. Plus RD gave it to me in my arm. He was really sneaky about it, too. But he knew I did not like needles.
When I got Humira injections, my hubby gave them to me. I would pinch the skin where I wanted him to inject me at and then he would surprise jab me. We went for the nurse to show him how to inject me, had to it was mandatory. So, the nurse showed him how to do it and all.
Best of Luck to you, Jesse! Just remember it does not BURN! I promise.
The part about drawing back and looking for blood kind of bothered me, as I was thinking, "OK, this is more dangerous than I thought. If I don't check for blood and hit a vein, and I didn't get all the air out, I'm in trouble!" But apparently it's not that easy to hit a vein. I was glad to hear it doesn't burn. My friend said it does for her, but only for a couple of minutes. I have more fatty tissue than her so if that makes any difference, I won't feel a thing! I still have to decide how I'm going to insert the needle the first time. I see there are a couple of different options. Guess I'll try different ways each time and see which is better for me.
Hiking gal, welcome to the forum. I'm honored that your first post was to me. Thank you for your advice and offer of help. You sound like a very experienced new member who will be a big help to those of us starting injections. Every once in a while a member switches to injectible and has questions (though probably not as many as me. I'm a bit anal sometimes. LOL)
OK, I'm ready for Sunday. But I think I still might do something like "Oh Lord, help me!! That was awful!!! How can I ever do that again???" Ya know, maybe get a sympathy dinner out of it or something? Oh wait. One more question. Last one, I promise! How do you know when you've gone in far enough with the needle? How far is too far? See, there's a method to my madness here. I really, really want to be able to do this on my own without bothering my neighbor, the nurse. She's kindly offered to come over, but I'd rather do it on my own if I can. I never stick the whole thing in. I just put in maybe 3/4 of the needle. I think once I didn't put it in far enough because I could see where the medicine was for a bit after I was done. All was fine though, it soaked in and nothing bad happend. Humira advises to pull back on the plunger too but I never did that. Never had a problem.Hi Jesse88,
I'll be thinking of you on Sunday and when it's over, you'll think to yourself, "wow...I actually did it." As for needle depth, I use 5/16" 31ga. ninsulin needles. They are so small, I put the needle in all the way. I'm not sure about your needles though. You just want to be sure to get it in deep enough in order to get your full dose and not have it leak back out. Sometimes, my insulin pools a little at the injection site. If it does, there is no need to worry about it. After your 1st time, the rest will be easy, trust me; but then again, it's worth the whining mileage and a dinner out, so use it to your best advantage LOL....
Take good care,
Hikin_gal
OK, I'm thinking I don't have to bother checking for blood either. Thanks Lovie.
Hiking gal, I have the same size needles, also for insulin. It says it's a "short" needle so I guess putting it in all the way wouldn't be too deep. Thanks for the information.
Hi Linnc, I just saw your post. Three-quarters in, huh? OK, I think I'm getting the idea.
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