I think I can, I know I can | Arthritis Information

Tomorrow I will go solo on my next injection. I'll admit I am a little nervous but I think I am more ready to see a better quality of life so that will be my motivation and help conquer the nerves I have. I think I will try the stomach to start. We did the with the first one in the RD's office. It wasn't as bad as I had thought.

One thing I should say is I am a liitle concerned about some of the possible extreme side effectsthat are associted with Enbrel but will put then in the back of my mind in the hopes of better quality of life and slowwing down this darned RA.

Have a restful Saturday all.
you can do it!! It's what you need right now... I wish you the best!! PM me if I can help in ANY way.How long has it been since the last shot? It feels like it was just the other day.
Best of luck- I know it probably takes a lot of nerve!
here are my hints for the needle wusses among us..

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