I just called my rheumatologists office (left a message) to tell them that I am ready to take my HUMIRA injection if someone could help me with the first couple of injections. I hope to hear back from them this morning. It's my first step BUT I'm still real scared. If I have a real bad reaction then you will know why I haven't wrote back in. Otherwise, I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again to everyone who wrote in to encourage me! It really helped.
Dont assume you will have any problems at all.
I was a needle phobic, but learned to love my shots... Here is how I did it..
| It is such a non issue now. I used to faint at finger tip blood tests..Her 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 tshirt, 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. 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 |
Thanks so much Kathy. What would you say in minutes does it take from the time you put the needle in until you have finished and can pull it out? Like how long to sing your song?
I think I will print out your instructions and follow them the first time.
Thanks again so much. Any other pointers to make this manageable, please keep me posted.
Your fellow ra friend, Caroline
Excellent advice, Kathy! I wasn't a needle-phobic, per say, but I was very, very anxious about doing self injections. The first time I did it I broke out in such a cold sweat I thought I was going to pass out.
But I did pretty much like you....I took my time, waited until my breathing was back to normal, put on some relaxing spa music and didn't rush the injection. I probably take a good 20-25 seconds to complete the injection. (doesn't sound like a long time, but it's pretty slow!). I didn't do the ice thing, but I'm sure it helps even more.
Considering it a gift is a great idea...because that's exactly what it is...the gift of mobility.
Good luck to you Caroline...just remember there's no rush.
We all know how you feel, very apprehensive. Give it a shot (sorry about the pun). Excellent info from Kathy. I still can't give them to myself so Husband gives them to me in my arm (if I see the needle I faint) I'm thinking of trying hypnosis to get over the phobia. Otherwise the jabs are well worth the anxiety. I am sure if you haven't got my phobia you will be fine. Let us know when you start Humira.
Hope all goes well and you feel better soon.
I just started using the Humira Pen two weeks ago. Caroline; I'd really advise that you ask for those considering how nervous you are.
My husband gives me mine and we were both so, so nervous the first time. We did the regular injections for more than a year and a half before the pens. He gives me mine either in my thigh or my butt.
The Humira Pen is really alot simpler though. Once you hear the click it takes 10 seconds. It burns....but that's the medication going in; not the needle. The needle you barely feel at all. The pen injects it QUICKLY and it's over so fast you don't have time to care. When you do the regular needles you end up trying to go slow in the hopes of avoiding the burn....but the majority of the time it still burned for me. I've heard of MANY say it didn't burn for them at all.
Although I personally don't use this method; our friends here swear the stomach is the easiest.
Good Luck Sweetie......We'll be talking to you soon. You're gonna be fine.
Great advice Kathy! Wish I had you when I first did my Enbrel. Is Humira refrigerated like Enbrel? When I went off Enbrel and went to MTX injections, I had to fill the syringe myself.... hated it!Caroline: I hope your doctor's office called you back. The nurse or someone there should teach you how to do this. My nurse/PA was very good and patient. I practiced on a spongy thing for a couple of times. We went step by step. check dates on medicine, make sure the liquid is clear, clean the area with alcohol, inject needle, pull the plunger back a bit to be sure you didn't hit a view, then continue. Put a 2x2 guaze over the prick site, then remove gauze, a put a bandaid over the area. I am not sure I could have done it without someone there to supervise it. The next time I did it alone. My doctor's office had me inject in my thigh. I don't think I can bend my wrist to inject in the stomach area--in fact I know I can't--I have about 10% range of motion left in my wrists. I saw the new pen and luckly they are still going to make the needle available. I don't like the idea I can't control how fast the meds go in. Of course, this is up to you which you get. Let us all know how you did.
I don't think you will feel any re-action right away. You will just start to notice you can do more things without it huring.
Caroline, You may find you look forward to your injections. I sure do. I can't take my Enbrel right now because of sores and I am really feeling the difference. The pain is worse every day. Once I get the Enbrel, the next day I always feel better. Let us know how you injection goes. I am guessing it will be a BREEEEEEEEEEZE.You are scared because what will be the outcome of the injections. Your RA doctor knows best. You have to trust the doc. who is treating you. The result you will know better after the injections. The rule is simple and established - trust the professionals.
When the drugs reach a level that render them ineffective and the professionals rely on these drugs can not do much, I have turned to herbs for help that was 15years ago. To day I know my direction and I have no fear!! That's the difference. Knowing the outcome and not knowing the outcome before hand.
I think the actual injection took me about 15-20 seconds as I slowly and steadily depressed the plunger.. I just chanted the words in a normal tone of voice.
If you follow these instructions the needle itself will not hurt. depending on whether your medicine is the same temperature as your body, you probably will not feel any stinging. If you do feel stinging, it wont hurt any longer than stubbing your toe..
RA pain lasts and lasts.. The stining from the meds is over in a minute.
CAROLINE:
I'm really curious, how did the injection go? Have you noticed you feel any different? Please update us. I hope all is well.