SELF INJECTING

helpful

Hi everyone,

I just started self injecting enbrel last week and hate it.

It hurts like mad and I alway feel faint and have to lie down afterwards.

Any tip how to help myself would be very gratefuly accepted

thanks loads
abi

woodbon

Hi, Just to say I'm sorry you're having so much trouble, I can understand it. I don't have experience of it but someone on here will be along shortly and I'm sure help you. Love Sue

frogmorton

Oh Abi
I can't help - I am a needle phobe

Someone else had this problem not long ago. She had been able to inject her mtx and suddenly lost it. Who was it? You could look back over the 'old' posts and see if you can spot it?
Or maybe whoever it was will spot your post.
So sorry - how often do you have to do it?
Could nurse at Drs help in the short term? The helped the other person if I remember...
Good luck
Toni x

lindalegs

I think it was possibly Suzster, she did manage it for a while and then found she couldn't do it so her nurse did her's at the surgery she had to make a weekly appointment.

Luv Legs

lorraines

I also just started injecting Embrel last week I also self Inject Methx my Nurse told me to make sure had embrel out of fridge for 10 to 30 mins before I inject to stop it hurting and grabbing the biggest handful of fat I can ( not hard on my thighs ) I find its then not to painfull I also hate doing it but for a few seconds once a week it's worth it so I just have to grit my teeth and try and think of something nice (like my lovely grandson) not much help I know but maybe there is something there to help you.
Hope you get something sorted

purvesrosie

Hi. I ve just started injecting humira once a fortnight, i find it ok but then it comes in pen form so i imagine it is easier. Can't really give more advice than already given, find fatty bit, and take out of fridge 10mins b4 to stop stinging. Also the nurse told me that i didnt have to use alcohol wipe b4 hand as this made it sting more, just make sure hand and area are clean b4 injecting. Good luck im told it gets easier x

carolinemoore4ntlworld

Hi Abi

Ive been injecting myself for over 3 yrs now and i know exactly what you mean! At first it hurt like hell but eventually you work out how to do it without it hurting (honest!)

As someone else said make sure the syringe has warmed. I leave out for an hour as found 30mins not long enough. Also make sure its straight, if its at an angle it seems to make it worse. And thirdly, ive been told to do it in my belly as can grab the biggest bit of skin to put it into. Humira does now come in a pen, although i havent got that yet, but maybe that means everything else will soon too.

Good luck and hope that helps. Just remember, youre not alone when you do it!!

Caz x

katekelly

Hi,
I inject into my belly as I found that my thighs -which had once been very toned and muscular (I have the photos to prove it honest!!) would bruise terribly. I leave it out of the fridge for at least 20 minutes. I also find that if I "sing" whilst injecting it takes my mind off it!! Strange I know but it works for me! I also try to think that for a few seconds of stinging pain I'll be able to walk for the next week!!!
Have you anyone at home who could help you? Although my Hubby has never done it he knows how to in theory. I think it is good to have someone else there who knows just in case you have a bad day with your hands or you have one of those days when you just can't do it.
Perhaps the need to lie down after is because of the enormity of what you are doing had just dawned on you, I certainly felt it when I first started injecting. It is a big deal and not something I think any of us would do if there was an alternative.
Keep trying it will be worth it in the end.
Kate

Wonkylegs

HI Abi,

so sorry to hear that you are struggling with injecting yourself. It is NOT an easy thing and to even be contemplating doing is is an AMAZING thing! so don't beat yourself up about having problems.

I was taught to self-inject my methotrexate, and although i was a needle phobic (arthirtis has almost cured me of that!!!!!!!!) I managed - partly as it was so much bette rthan a 2 1/2 hour round trip to the hospital each week- for two years, although it got harder and harder.

The thing is, I didnt say anything because I was beating myself up saying I should be able to do it, etc etc, and that I was letting everyone down. I wasn't of course, but that is how it felt.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, when I saw my rheumatology nurse face to face I admitted my problems, and she gave me several different options. I could return to the hospital I attended before, ask my GP nurse if they would be able to do it, go to another health centre in a local town. I was amazed there were choices!!!

I am very fortunate as my GP and practice nurse were very willing to help out, and I go there each week now. I had to trainthem in how to give the injection and they always ask me if they are doing it right :shock: and the other side of it is that I get a chat and a friendly face each time, which helps me a lot.

I would urge you to talk to your rheumatology nurse. They should be able to help you out. As your treatment is a newer one than MTX then it may not be so straight-forward, but you'll never know if you don't ask!

best of luck!
A xxxx

suzster

hi, yes it was me!
i was fine doing mine for about 4 months then starting having problems.
i had problems for 2 reasons, firstly the blood tests every fortnight had got very painful, before then i'd never had a problem with needles but when blood tests hurt i starting getting more aware of the injection, if it makes sense. up until then i'd been injecting in my tummy, i actually found i could do it quick and as long as i didn't think about it befoes hand it was fine.
secondly i started suffering from sickness, a side effect of mtx. this led me to start thinking about the whole injection thing and just sent me into panic.

my best advice would be don't think about it, just get the injection ready and do it, quick as you can, the more you think the more you worry!
the tummy is the best place as far as i can imagine as there is usually plenty of flesh, well on me there is!!

i'm now back to tablets and so far the sickness is not to bad, i have lowered my dose though, i was injecting 25mg but i take 20mg tablets, so we'll see.
take is easy and try not to get worked up, just go with the flow!
sue

bevman

helpful wrote:

Hi everyone,

I just started self injecting enbrel last week and hate it.

It hurts like mad and I alway feel faint and have to lie down afterwards.

Any tip how to help myself would be very gratefuly accepted

thanks loads
abi

Hi abi i have been on embrel for six month,s i still find it hard i was told to sit at the edge of the bed then pinch a piece of skin and inject quite hard to explain.I do alternate my legs and also my stomach i to take it out the fridge about half an hour before.Ifound that after injecting a number of times i would get a red rash so rummy nurse said take some piriton it worked.It not easy but hopefully it will get better you can phone the pharmacist who deliver the embrel they are really help full i have phoned for advice on a number of occasions.
good luck it will get better.laurence

colinone

Hi Abi
The trick is to to get it over as soon as you can, I know its hard but once you get use to it it does get easy. I never thought it hurt it was just the build up to it when you first start. Once you have the needle in go nice and slow injecting and you should not feel it or perhaps just a little. If you having problems injecting you can get it done at the GP or local clinic. Regarding the faintness or sick feeling i get a bad tummy aboout 2 hours after. You probably have all the numbers but nothing stopping you asking the home care nurse to call on you they are so helpfull and perhaps you need to let them no how your feeling.
Embrol Home Care 0845 601 2816
Take Care and keep your chin up
Colin

ktl297

Hi,
Sorry you're finding injecting so tough. here are my tips (after trying Enbrel then a year of Humira and now MTX as well). I get an ice block (the type you put in cooler bags/boxes) and put it in the waistband of my trousers for a couple of minutes before I inject to numb my tummy. I always inject my tummy because it is the "wobbliest" bit. Then I clean the area to inject and make sure that the injection is a room temp (either leave out of fridge for 20 mins or if like me you forget hold in your fist for a few mins). Remember to breathe while you inject - the faintness might be due to stress, anxiety or just holding your breath (I do this alot when I think something's going to be painful). So singing (like someone suggested) is a good idea or talking yourself through it or just breathing exercises. As you inject push the plunger in quickly as it can sting a bit and the faster you do it the less time it will hurt for. Then when you've done the injection (humira or enbrel only for this bit, not MTX) rub the area you've injected to make sure the solution doesn't stay under the skin in one area (this can give you a red itchy patch).

I hope you get it sorted soon!
KT

cathemtage

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time with the Enbrel. I inject both Methotrexate and Enbrel and for some reason the Enbrel is much more uncomfortable. I think it is quite a thick liquid and my Rheumatologist Nurse said that she had to inject someone the other week with it and that she found the needles quite blunt. So, my top tips that find have worked for me are: tuck the syringe for half an hour into your bra to warm it up, stomach much easier for me as fatter than my legs (they used to go sort of dead after injecting), tip from the nurse that works is to to a sharp quick stab which seems to get the "blunt" needle in much more quickly and to push the plunger in slowly, very slowly. If I push the plunger in quickly I find it very very uncomfortable. I really hope that helps as it has been a life changing drug for me and I hope it is for you too!