Enbrel patients.. | Arthritis Information

Hoping you can share your experience.

I begin with this on Monday.

Any hints, clues, best ways to handle things?

I would appreciate your sharing whatever has worked for you!!

thanks so much.

Shoot - I typed up my answer, hit post reply and it didn't show up so now I have to start over. Are you using sureclick or syringe? Anyways, here are tips I've received from others. Take out 1/2 hour before to warm up. After swabbing with alcohol make sure it's dry before injecting - the alcohol can sometimes make it sting more. While I haven't tried, some feel injecting in the stomach doesn't sting as much. I inject in my thighs - and while I did my mtx in stomach, I'm scared to do the sureclick in stomach. Some ice the area after injecting to reduce the swelling.

It really isn't too bad. Does it sting, yes it does - but it's a quick 15 sec and you're done and forget all about it. I usually have a slight raised, red bump - and only once it stayed a week, but I think I was pressing down too hard on the pen. No other side effects - knock on wood. Hope it goes well for you.

Cathy

Well said Cathy! :) Let us know how it goes babs

I use the Sureclick. I was SO nervous the first time I injected, but honestly it wasn't that bad at all. The first two times, I injected it into my thighs but found that it stung. I then tried in my stomach and I hardly felt a thing. I've never gone back to injecting in my thigh again.

I've never had any reactions at all from Enbrel, not even any redness.

Here's one more thing I just thought of...DO NOT press down on the injection site (you know, like to stop the bit of bleeding if their is any) becaue it HURTS!! A Lot. :)I use sure click and inject in my tummy too. I set it out for about 30 minutes and then hold the pen in my hands for a couple of minutes to get it warm. It doesn't hurt me at all. I do have to take benedryl for a few days because I have rashes I break out with but I have lots of allergies and also had to do the same thing with humira. It sure has helped me with my energy and swelling. Also doc took blood tests and my numbers are down! I still have bad weather flares sometimes but that's because I live in Illinois and we go from 60 degrees in the morning to 30's at night with snow showers.

Good luck, I hope it helps you!

Don't sweat it, nothing to it!

thanks!!

So it appears that everyone who posted uses the sureclick?

I've heard that the needle without preservatives doesnt' hurt as much.. (That from a 12 y/o JRA patient I know)

Not sure what I will use yet..
Get the script on Monday after my TB results are read.

To me I liked the sureclick because the needle wasn't sticking out; it kind of freaked me out. With the sureclick you press the top and it goes in and I don't have to see the needle.

You never know until you try. Just my personal preference.

The nurse should show you how to do it. When I was on humira, a nurse came to my house and I live in the boondocks amidst corn and soybean fields. LOL

I use the 50 ml pre filled syringe. Its so easy, do like the others have said..take it out the fridge at least 30 minutes before. Alternate areas each week, I inject in the tummy left one week right the next. After about the 4th week I started to get a red lump for about 3 days, the nurse said when getting the air bubble out the sringe not to get the liquid on the needle and to make sure the alcohol was dry before injecting and the lump stopped happenig. I use a tissue and just hold it on the injection site for a few seconds afterwards. I also found the syringe is good as you can inject slowly, I deep breathe and for every breath out I inject a bit more until its done. This way the is no stinging at all.

Babs10,

It took me about three weeks once I got the prescription to actually giving myself the first shot. My insurance company required my RD to submit documentation so they could check to see if I "qualified" to receive Enbrel. That process took a while. Then I had to make the appointment with the nurse for instructions on how to use it. All-in-all it was well worth the wait for me.

Also, I wanted to tell you that if you have any kind of co-pay, you should sign up for the QuickAssist program. You don't have to meet any financial requirements to qualify for the first year. You have to sign up BEFORE you get your prescription filled. It works just like a secondary insurance. They pay up to a certain amount for the first 6 months, then that amount reduces for the last 6 month. After the first year, if you meet the financial requirements, you could continue to receive assistance. Right now, I don't pay ANYTHING for my Enbrel. I received the information to apply for it from my RD.

kweenb2008-04-12 08:30:14I used Enbrel in the syringe for about the first 6 months, I actually thought it would hurt less. My doctor sent me the Sureclick by mistake and I got it filled. WOW what a difference! It is amazingly almost pain free, I would never go back. Good Luck!

I was also a needle wuss.

Even though the Enbrel, and the Humira pooped out on me I am so proud that I became adept at self injecting..

It is such a non issue now. I used to faint at finger tip blood tests..Here is what works for me.

First thing give yourself time, this isn't a facial, but it is something you are doing for you. treat it like a gift. fix a cup of coffee, go someplace quiet, play calming music.

Make sure the syringe is WARM. your body is 98.6... room temp will be a shock. I rest the syringe across the top of my coffee mug. Then just before I inject I roll it between my palms.

Ice the area of your tummy you will inject. Get it REALLY cold. I have an ice pack in a light t shirt, and leave it there for a good long time. You want that area numb. Wipe your tummy with the alcohol pad and let it dry.. Completely. The sting is mostly from wet alcohol on your skin.

Pinch up a roll of flab about the size of your thumb and finger together, check the syringe, and gently push the plunger in a little to get the air out of the syringe..

Hold the syringe like you are throwing a dart, and slide the point into the skin you have pinched up. The ice will have numbed it so much you won't feel the needle slide in.

Release the flab, and shift your fingers on the needle holding it between the index and middle finger, with the thumb on the plunger.

SLOWLY depress the plunger..I depress to a chant..."My toes won't hurt, my ankles won't hurt, my knees won't hurt, my hips won't hurt, my fingers won't hurt, my wrists won't hurt, my thumbs won't hurt, my elbows won't hurt, my shoulders won't hurt, my jaw won't hurt...this shot stings but far less than my body hurts."

You should be finished then, remove the syringe, place the ice pack back on for maybe 30 seconds, and dispose of the needle...now finish your coffee.

You can do it