I was just put on enbrel. My first shot my best friend gave to me.
Yesterday it was time for my second shot. I kept telling myself that I
have to do this. But i wasted about 4 hrs. last night trying to stick
the needle in me and never did. Today ive tried now for about 1 hr. and
still cant do it. I dont mind if someone else does it. But I cant seem
to force myself to do it. Ive now used up all my alcohol prep pads and
i hope my med is ok after being put back in the fridge and then taken
out and then put back in the fridge. I know I have to learn to do
this myself. Why cant I??? Im so disappointed in myself and mad as
hell. Has anyone else had this problem when they started having
to inject themselves?
Im all new to this and keep wishing they had an enbrel pill instead. Thanks in advance for any helpful tips.
Of
Of course we've been there! Actually, I was terrified. Now, I actually have to give myself two different shots a day, and I swear it's nothig more than a bother--like having to do the dishes or clean the bathtub. (Two things I hate.)
First, don't use up all your alcohol pads. Clean the area with the alcohol and wait a few seconds to make sure it's dry before injecting. If you don't contaminate the area by touching it, it'll stay clean while you're talking yourself into it.
Anyway, I don't know much about Enbrel, but I do know it's administered subcutaneously, which is the least painful of shot methods. Do the Enbrel people provide you with some sort of device like a Autoject to help--especially with those areas like the butt, where it's hard to get to one-handed? Well if so, that's great. But I suggest you not use that right away. Try doing it manually--and I suggest the stomach as your site, since this is the area with the least nerve endings. Gently pinch up the skin an inch or two away from your belly button, put the needle in (the hardest part of the process--everything else is easy.) As soon as you have the needle in, release the skin your're pinching. Then slowly push the medicine in. Pull the syringe out slowly and steadily. Dont touch the area you just injected with the alcohol afterwards. Just press it with a cotton ball or sterile pad gently if it bleeds. If it doesn't bleed, just leave it alone.
Do the Enbrel people not send a nurse or healthcare professional to your house to help you with the first time? If not, shame on them. Maybe you can have your rheumy's nurse sit with you and talk you through it. If that's not good for you, have the friend who did it for you the first time sit with you.
I swear to you this will get so easy for you within just a few shots. The first one is the scary one. If I were there, I'd come over and hang out with you while you did it. Sometimes, I think it's easier to let a stranger see us when we're being chicken.
Just breath deeply until you can do it. Remember how much better it'll make you feel once you get this going.
Let us now how you're doing on this.
Thank you Sara. My rheumy did not tell me to come in and that they would show me. My friend used to be a medical assistant so she showed me how but i gave up and let her do it. Unfortunately, she lives over an hr. away. But I know I have to do this myself, there will be times that I wont have anyone around to do this. No autoject (not sure what that is) mostly my rheumy wrote me a prescription and i had to find out from m my insurance company if they cover it. they do and I pay nothing I just have to get it thru mail order from a pharmacy in florida. Other than that no other training. In fact when i was at my last rheumy appt. he thought i was already on enbrel and asked me how i was doing with it. I was like ummmm no you havent put me on that yet. I felt kind of nervous that the dr. didnt even know if i was on that yet or not. But im in a small town and that is all that i have. I keep saying im going to count to 3 and jam it in. But i CANT do it. Why does this have to be so hard? I hope I can manage it, im tired of it taking forever for me to do it. Today i was trying the stomach and still cant put the needle in. Oh well, I want to be able to do this because the remicade will be too expensive and time-consuming for me. WELL: I know i needed my medicine so i chickened out again and went over to my moms and my stepdad gave me my shot. Maybe I can do it myself next time. UGH. Now that I have had only two doses of 25 mg. embrel; Ive realized that after each shot I get dizzy and nauseaus. Is that normal? Im thinking it probably is.
Not sure about the nausea and dizziness. I don't take Enbrel--I take Kineret. Someone here will probably answer that question for you.
Sounds to me like you just need someone to actually sit with you the first time. How about your mom or your stepdad? Or just a friend? What's scaring you? Is it the actual pricking of your skin or the after effects? Is it the dizziness? After the first or second time, I promise you won't need help.
An autoject or simpleject is a little machine that you put the whole syringe in. Basically, you then just put it against your skin and press a button. You never see the needle! That might help a lot. Did you not get an 800 number you can call the Enbrel folks. They should have a nurse on call who can answer your questions and talk you through this. And they're the ones who can send you the autoject (for free) if it's available. Look on the paperwork that came with the meds for an 800 number to call! Something is missing here. Both meds for me had those numbers, and they're always there when you need them. (I figure it this way--they charge you and/or your insurance company so much, they owe you their support.)
I can't believe your rheumy hasn't offered any support or instruction. That's pretty inexcuseable. Have you called and just said hey--I need help. Does he have a caring nurse that might help? Remember, you pay them. And if you don't ask, you're not going to get help. You've taken the first step by coming to this message board. Now take one more step and pick up the phone, girl...
Please let me know if you find that number.
I have an 800 number. But its after hours and no one is there. I think what scares me the most is the jabbing of the needle into myself. Its not like I go around jabbing things into me LOL I WILL do it myself. Thanks for your encouragement. I do think I would have an easier time if i had one of those auto inject things you were talking about. Pushing a button sounds less scary and easier than jabbing myself. I will have to see if I can get one of those.Here you go, girl. I found it on the web. And I just called them. You can't use the autoject with Enbrel, but they're more than happy to talk with you and give you some support and send you free kits and stuff. In fact, they'll send a nurse to help you get started! Call them, then let me know what happened, OK? By the way, I talked to the nurse on the phone because they're there later. Good luck!
1-888-4ENBREL
(1-888-436-2735)
Enliven Services representatives are available to assist you 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday, and Enliven Services registered nurses are available 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., eastern time, 7 days a week.
OK--I'll look for you next week then. Love your new signature line, by the way.
Hi KarlaOhio,
If it makes you feel any better, I can't give the injections myself either. I've always been injection phobic to the point that I can't even watch it on TV. I always thought I was the only one, but I recently found out that there are others here that are scared as well...which makes me feel alot better.
You may or may not get over this phobia, but either way I think it's totally fine...
There is a kit I got when I started Enbrel. There's a booklet with step by step pictures. There may even be a video - I forget. I would call the Enbrel folks again and have them send you this starter kit. Then bring this kit with you to the doctors office and the nurse will go through it with you step by step. The nurse should also sit with you while you give yourself the shot. Definitely do the belly.
I have read on this site that some people have experienced dizziness but I haven't had any.
It's very likely you've just got yourself worked up with worry. We've all been there. First time I had to give myself a shot I swear I acted like a petulent 2 year old. Frustrated, annoyed, tossing alchol pads here and there.... it's funny now but at the time I was a mess. I was mad at my disease and resented having to do this. So I had my hissy fit, bawled my eyes out, talked my way through it, out loud no less, let out a big sigh, and then picked up all the alcohol pads and had a good belly laugh at myself.
Sometimes it takes getting to that low to give us the courage to bring ourselves up higher.
You'll be able to do it. You will. And in no time you'll be logging in here giving a newbie some advice!
Good luck!
I take Humira; and it comes premixed...that's one thing that sounds easier. My husband (Bless his heart) gives me mine. I so wish I was brave enough to do it though. I've just switched to weekly injections and if I could just do it by myself I'd feel so much better about myself. I feel like it's a burden for him to have to do it. He of coarse never makes me feel this way...but I; like you want very much to get over this fear.
I also got a kit with mine just like Kayobe said. It had step by step instructions and the video makes it look so easy. My husband was pretty nervous when we started. We even went to my RD's office and had a little session with his nurse. That really helped alot. Definately see if you can get a little one on one training.
Good Luck to you. I know how hard it is. Don't give up.
Lovie
Good Luck, I used to inject MTX and it is difficult to do but like most everything else in life you can and will prevail ! I used to put on headphones to kinda divert some of my attention away from the injection , seemed to help a little bit.Here is a suggestion...if you have a used syringe that you can salvage as practice, or even an extra one if you have it. Get an orange. Inject it with water. Repeatedly. It kinda helps with getting used to sticking needles in things. At least that was a suggestion I got from someone when I was nervous about giving myself MTX. My doc asked if I knew what I was doing. My answer was I think so. I've watched my best friend give herself her MTX. She said ok. And then I gave her the basic steps. That was my training from my doc. I can't even remember who gave me the orange suggestion...I wanna say it was my neice but I can't remember.I could totally identify with you as you described your anxiety over injecting enbrel. The GOOD news is, if you can get through your first one, each one after the first gets easier. I've been injecting MTX for about 3 months, but just started Enbrel 2 weeks ago. My hands were shaking so bad the first time I thought for sure I'd never get it in. It's really the mental battle you are fighting, because there is very little pain when you inject into your tummy. It's just the thought of actually sticking that darn needle into yourself.
I've listened to the advice of others here on this site, and 2 things that really help me, are first of all letting the Enbrel warm up to room temperature, about 30 minutes, and second, using an ice cube to freeze my skin before injecting. I have found since doing this that I no longer dread the needle, my hands don't shake anymore, and I actually feel pretty comfortable doing it.
HANG in there, ask for the help you need from your doctor, get a nurse or doctor to work with you until you feel comfortable doing it yourself. You'll look back someday and say, WHAT was the BIG DEAL?
1. place the enbrel out and allow it to come to room temperature.
2. take a nice warm shower or bath and allow yourself to relax.
3. now the area I suggest and was told works fine is I inject myself in the stomach, but what i do is stand up, apply the alcohol to a spot UNDERNEATH THE STOMACH. I have a pauch, big belly, so what i do is inject in that area. Just take the syringe into your hand and with the other hand pinch that belly and inject count to 10 and release the area you were pinching. The needles are so fine it doesn't hurt, I don't even feel it and I HATE NEEDLES.
I know it is scarey I remember my first time and wondering if I could do it and i did, the best spot is your stomach, remember to allow the alcohol to dry before giving yourself the shot that way you don't feel any stinging. if you would like you can pm me and I will be glad to answer any other questions on the shots, or be your cheering section. meme
I'am really afraid of needles. I have tried my hardest to prolong the start of taking meds that require a needle. But recently I have been in so much pain and feeling much more helpless that I have decided when I finally get to go back to the doctor I will see if he will start me on something like humira or embrel. Because this methotrexate is not helping me any. And I had to stop taking it because we couldn't afford it, PLUS it was making my side hurt, too. I think I have an advantage over ya'll on the injection site pain...lol. I recently had my son via c-section so my tummy is numb! I can pinch and pinch all I want and feel nothing!! Jooniper-- You said you stopped the MTX because of the cost. I hope you've researched the cost of the boiologics you're considering taking. I just did. (You should also know that some insurance companies will not allow the biologics until you have gone through a regimen of methotrexate and it proves not to work adequately.) I have great insurance, but if I didn't, here is what I found out about what it would cost if I don't have insurance: Methotrexate - approx 0/year Biologics: Humira - ,522/year Kineret - ,800/year Enbrel - ,436/year Remicade - ,940- ,287 / year Source: http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/biologics.asp? aud=pat Good luck to you! Sara - I stopped MTX because hubby recently lost his job and our insurnace thru that job. Iam a stay-at-home-mom so hubby is the only one working and only making /hr at his new job, which we are not entitled to the health insurance until late July. We are struggling to pay our bills now, and I can do without MTX it was starting not to work anyway, plus it made my right side hurt. As long as I can afford pred I will be fine until July. We had Blue Cross/ Blue shield. For meds I only had to pay or less. Now the new insurance is Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, but I don't know if it will be the same or not. That is why Iam trying to get SSI or atleast medicaid/madicare so I won't have to depend on hubbies job insurance for my treatment & meds. Thanks for the heads-up! Now those prices make me not want to go past MTX other then the needle fear. I probably would have chickened out because after all Iam still afraid of needles...lol. I have BC/BS as well. I pay for 90 days' worth. They'll probably cover yours, too. I also take a daily injection for a med that helps my multiple sclerosis. Another retail of K. Amazing. And I'll tell you, I've not heard one sqawk from BC/BS. K total they pay! You'll probably not be able to use price as an excuse to be chicken once your insurance kicks in.
I am one of those people who make decisions and when the time comes to follow thru I will chicken out. Especially if I have a fear like needles or people staring at me, and so on. Maybe the isurance will be good and pay for 90-100% of it like it did at hubbies old job. Believe it or not, the belly has the least nerve endings, and therefore sometimes you won't even feel a prick. Amazing but true. When the insurance kicks in, be sure and check their mail order pharmacy prices. Again, I pay a total of 0 for the whole year's worth of meds. Your 10% of ,000 = 00 !! I'll be thinking good thoughts for you on the insurance coverage. Oh Yeah!! We've been there!!
I'm not laughing at you hon. I'm laughing cuz I'm thinking about giving myself injections for the first time on Thursday. Sitting there staring at my leg, feeling like someone was holding my arm back and getting embarrassed and mad because I just couldn't do it. At first I thought, ok I'm just going to do it slow
Peace & Love...Neasy Karla, I don't know if you saw my other post....but I did it for the first time last night. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...actually the needle part didn't hurt at all; it was once the needle was in and I had to push in the medicine that I got a little shakey. It was always the way when my husband gave it to me too; that's the worst part for me. I think that doing it for 6 months with my husband giving it to me gave me a chance to get use to the injections themselves...after a while I think I was just ready to do it myself. I'm also switching to weekly injections so I figured I better get use to it. Everyone promises it will get easier with time....I'm counting on that being true. Lovie Hi Karla. I've only just seen your post but hope I'm not tool late for a reply. Having Type 1 Diabetes, I have to inject myself 4 times a day with insulin. When I first started, I used a hypodermic syringe but very quickly converted to an insulin "pen". At present I am not injecting any medication for RA. Does your medication come in pen form or does it have to be injected by syringe? Pens are so much easier and painless. The needle on the pen is so fine and so short you almost lose sight of it as you are about to push it in. Also, you don't have to draw up the medication from a vial, you simply insert the vial into the pen then turn a knob at the end to dial up the prescribed dose. If you don't know what I'm talking about, or have never seen an insulin pen, have a look at the following site http://www.novonordisk.com/diabetes/public/insulinpens/novop en3/default.asp Of course, all this is academic if you can't get your medication in pen form, but with the number of people suffering from RA, maybe the manufacturers would respond to some gentle pressure. Isabelle
Isabelle, no they dont have it where i can use the pen. I did talk
to amgen/wyeth the makers of enbrel about that. They said they
are looking into that.
OH i love that enbrel site. I called them and talked with the nurse and
explained that i ruined one dose by accidentally plunging out all the
bacteriostatic water. Well I got a letter in the mail today and they
are replacing that dose tray for me at no cost. Excellent people. I
mean I dont pay anything anyways but that is good to know that they
will do that for you.
www.enbrel.com
Krla I will keep cheering for you i know it is scarey to think about injecting yourself, but you will be surprised as to how easy it it becomes when you do do it. So remember we are all here for you and we care. meme
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