Anyone having problems with injecting humira, please help!!

dori123

Hi everyone

I've been on humira for 5 weeks and find the injection extrememly painful.
From reading other posts it seem the general feeling is that its easy to inject and I am finding the complete opposite.

I wondered if anyone had any advice to make it easier.
I inject into my thigh and I have injected myself as well as my partner doing it for me but both are equally as painful.

For those who find it simple this must sound very dramatic. I am used to pain and other types of injections but I just can't bare this and I'm very stressed about what to do. Its every two weeks and the pain lasts thirty seconds i know but it hurts soooooo much. I really really wish i found it easy to cope with like almost everyone. I don't know why its so bad for me.

Any advice is welcome,
thanks
dori x

kazpaz

I also inject humira and have enbrel before that.

I always use my abdomen and read that the thighs are more painful. I don't find it that painful and it is easier to reach. I also don't use an alcohol wipe immediately before injecting which can also make it sting more.

Do you use a humira pen, or an old fashioned needle and syringe? It seems different parts of the country supply the drug in different ways. I have a pen, but had the other method for enbrel. Personally I didn't find much difference but I have read that others have. Maybe that would help you.

Good luck anyway. Hope you find the answer for you.

Kaz

dori123

Hi kaz thanks for your reply.

I use the pen and thats the main reason I chose humira.
I was offered humira with the pen and enbrel with the syringe. I really thought the pen seemed much easier but after my experience with it i'm regretting my decision.
I'm not sure if I would be able to have humira with the syringe I was under the impression it was only supplied as the pen. Like you say its whats offered to you in your area as well.

I've not used the wipe as the nurse advised me not too but its just a horrible experience for me.

I can't imagine what its like injecting into your abdomen, i know alot of people do it that way but it doesn't seem right for me.

My last injection was the worst and i was in tears with the pain it caused me, i sound so soft but i'm really not it just hurts me so much i can't bear it. I havn't spoken to the rheumatologist yet because i feel so silly!!

It all sounds like i'm not trying enough maybe but i'm really at a loose end. I honestly wish I hadn't started the treatment but have tried to keep up with it as my swelling has reduced.

Arrrgggh! :oops: :roll:

colinone

dori123 wrote:

Hi kaz thanks for your reply.

I use the pen and thats the main reason I chose humira.
I was offered humira with the pen and enbrel with the syringe. I really thought the pen seemed much easier but after my experience with it i'm regretting my decision.
I'm not sure if I would be able to have humira with the syringe I was under the impression it was only supplied as the pen. Like you say its whats offered to you in your area as well.

I've not used the wipe as the nurse advised me not too but its just a horrible experience for me.

I can't imagine what its like injecting into your abdomen, i know alot of people do it that way but it doesn't seem right for me.

My last injection was the worst and i was in tears with the pain it caused me, i sound so soft but i'm really not it just hurts me so much i can't bear it. I havn't spoken to the rheumatologist yet because i feel so silly!!

It all sounds like i'm not trying enough maybe but i'm really at a loose end. I honestly wish I hadn't started the treatment but have tried to keep up with it as my swelling has reduced.

Hi Dori the thing to do is take it by the horns get it in out over and done with ok you know its going to hurt but 30 seconds. Listen to me the big brave man, when i started injecting i done everything i could not to do it myself. are you pushing the the fluid in to fast. You can phone the home care nurse or the nurse who taught you to inject and have her see you agai. If you talk to the GP you may be able to get them done by the nurse at the doctors or the local clinic. I told the GP cant do it because my hands are deformed so was sent to the local clinic the first time i waited 2 hours the second one our and the nurse done the injection wrong. so just started doing myself. If you think about it you have lost and just sit looking at it, you have to be brave and just do it.
Take care
Colin
Colin

mrsdalloway

Hi Dori I have been on humira for about 3 months now and the injections are not pleasant. The worst part is afterwards when I can feel the liquid dispersing. However, what you are experiencing doesn't sound right having RA we are a hardy bunch pain wise and if it is hurting it must be really hurting. Have you done injections in front of nurse so she can check your technique? Sorry if that sounds a bit patronizing, but better than my hubbys suggestion of doing mine from a blow dart! Also, may be you are tensing because you know its going to hurt, hubby does mine in stomach and first time I tensed and it hurt like hell. Better to let it all hang out doesn't hurt so much. Sorry probably not much help. x

dori123

Hi Colin thanks for your reply.

Harsh but true, I was trying out the 'its not going to get the better of me' approach on my last injection but it was as bad as ever!! I'm gutted that I feel the way I do about it. I've thought of ringing the nurse but I am doing everything she said. Her words were 'you'll think what was I worring about' and my thoughts were I wasn't worrying enough! Anyway I've got about 10 days to try and feel strong about it so i'll take your advive on board. :shock:

Hi mrsdalloway

I'm really glad you can sympathise that the pain is really bad for me! The nurse has seen my technique and sad it was fine. She didn't know how much pain I was in I was screaming inside but I was so embarrassed. As for a blow dart you would see my silhouette on the wall!
As for the tensing I try my best not too but its so hard to relax when I know whats coming. Next time I'm going to try sitting a different way to help me relax so that might help.

Thanks all for your advice. xx

northumbrian

I have been on humira for 18 months and it nips a bit sometimes. Have you tried getting it to room temperature before using it? I was advised to take it out of the fridge early and wait a bit, I usually give it at least 30 minutes. On the odd time I have been in a rush and used it cold it stung a bit, well more than a bit! I have mine in the morning can't wait!

jeannie2

Hello all,
Am glad to have read your comments on both threads about this drug. I'm just about to be assessed for it (after methotrexate etc). Am a pain and needle 'phobic' They practically have to tie me to the chair to take a b lood test! (joke).
Am glad of your posts 'cos now I'll know what to expect if they allow me to have it.
Thanks for being there.
Jeannie S

dori123

Hi all

Well I normally take it out for two to three hours!! Thats what the nurse reccomended, it must just be me!!!

kellis

I've posted this same question on another Humira fridge related thread.
I discovered this morning that if I leave my Humira out of the fridge for 1.5 hours rather than the recommended 20/30 mins - it doesn't sting!

BUT - does it affect the quality of the medicine? No point in injecting dead medicine into me - sting or no sting!

vijaysa

Hi

I have been taking Humira for 3 months. I have tried both injecting in the thigh and in the abdomen. The thigh is definitely too painful. The abdomen is fine except for a sting for about 15min, but it is 100 times better than the thigh. When I injected into the thigh i was in agony and ended up with a huge blue bruise which lasted for weeks. The abdomen is easier because there is a layer of fat (which we all have!!) into which the fluid can disperse but the thigh has a much thinner fat layer. As I posted on the other query, I remove the Humira from the fridge 30 min before & use an ice pack on the injection site before and after the injection which does help a bit. Vijay