I haven't posted since I signed onto this site, but have been lurking daily. I had an appt. with my RA doctor today. I stopped taking the Sulfasalazine a month ago. It just didn't agree with me. She's starting me on MTX and folic acid. I've never given myself an injection before, but figured that I might as well start with this rather than pill form. Do any of you "seasoned veterans" have any tips for doing the injection itself and what can I expect as far as side effects and what may make them easier to deal with. I don't have two days off in a row so I figured I would do the shot when I get out of work on Monday as I have Tuesdays off. I don't want to waste a Sunday off with my husband feeling lousy. It's the only day that we have to spend together. Thanks in advance for any information you may be able to give me.
Hi Nina....welcome!
No tips with the injection itself (I take my mtx orally), and no real tips for side effects since I don't really have any of the side effects. I know some say it makes them tired and feeling nauseated, but I've never had that. Hopefully you'll find that you won't have any side effects either
Sorry I wasn't much help
Good luck!
Kelly
Hi Nina,I have the injectible but my rheumo told me to take it with water instead of injecting it. I mix it with 8 oz. of water and it is really easy!
No side effects at all when I take it with a big breakfast and lots of water thoughout the day.
I injected it for about two years ,the only tips I can gave you are
Push the needle in slow and pull it out fast ,if you pull it out slow you can cut yourself really bad
Use two hands to do it ,you can steady you hand with the other
Inject into your legs and last teach someone else to do incase you are hurting and cant do it yourself
you will find your own way of doing it as we all have had to
The differences between the US and the UK health systems are many but this is how I have to get my MXT. I have to go to the hospital every week for my injection and they go through a whole rigmarole of asking my name and DOB and checking my hospital number every week, even if the nurse has been seeing me for the last 6 months. It really is treated as a dangerous medication here, so I'm amazed to realise that in the US you inject yourselves! My husband once asked why I can't do it myself and I had to tell him it isn't allowed! Ho-hum; I guess there are pluses and minuses with both systems, but if I'm away I either have to miss a week or take tablets for that week.
Hi Nina,
Well, I did not have it in a shot, however, I took pill form for 10 year or more. I was borderline anemic for many of those last years till last year I dropped drastically. Normal hemogoblin for women is about 12 and I dropped to 7.6. I share this just to tell you to be sure your rheumy keeps real good track of your blood level...sure he will....just want you to know what to look for. I know today that my shortness of breath on any excertion was the give away to being anemic. I could not climb 3 steps without being SOB. I'm back on it in pill form so as long as I'm seeing my hemotologist, taking iron and I'm being well cared for and watched. Metho is not a bad drug...it interacts well with certain other drugs and the anemia was my only side effect.
I take the MTX in pills but I inject myself weekly with Enbrel and once you do it two or three times it really is easy. I found it hurt more the slower you went, so no I do it nice and smoothly, not to fast or slow and it's not bad at all. I do not suffer any of the side effects other than tried the next day but not enough to interrupt my life any. Good luck and let us know how's it coming along. Hi and welcome! I am glad you stopped lurking and started posting!
I am a nurse and I poke people all the time...I will be honost, it is different doing it to yourself. Here are a few things that I do when giving myself my MTX injections... 1. I store my opened vials in the fridge, so when I draw it up in the syringe, I let it sit for a about 10 min. to take a little of the chill off and improve the viscosity of the liquid. 2. I asked my doc for a RX for Reglan for nausea. It doesnt cause drowsiness like Pheregan does. I take the Reglan when I take my shot. I noticed a bit of nausea the first time I took MTX so now I just avoid the nausea alltogether. 3. I give myself the injection in my belly. It is a sub-cutaneous injection which is basically the fat. 4. When you draw it up, try to get the air bubbles out by gently tapping the syringe against the edge of the counter or thumping it with your finger. When the bubble moves to the top (closest to the needle) push it out. 5. I stand up to inject. I find it is easier and I pretty much just do it all in the kitchen, get it over with and move on. 6. Pinch up some belly fat with one hand. Hold the syringe in position very close to the sight where you are going to inject. Keep your arm close to your body and rest your wrist against your body--this will help you to steady your hand. 7. Take a deep breath in and then let it out slow. When you have let it out, push the needle in smoothly and evenly. (that was the hard part) Now inject the med and pull the needle out. 8. Yeah, it burns for about 5 min after. If you have no experience with injections at all, you might want to practice injecting plain water or even just air into an orange. That is what we did in nursing school. It is not the same, but its close. I get everything in postion and do everything I can to steady myself because I dont actually watch myself put the needle in. I have tried that and both times I hesitated and pricked my skin with out actually putting the needle in.
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