Started Humira

dreamdaisy

I didn't think I had my maths right but I was too woolly-headed to sort it properly - my apologies. I hit the thin end of my wedge next week so Christmas is going to be a total wash-out - never mind, I care not. Anyhoo, take it out of the fridge for at least twenty minutes - I don't want to lock horns with tilly but I think two hours may be a smidge too long! They are strict about its storage and I reckon that must be for a reason. I hope it goes well. If I remember (with all the 'excitement' of Christmas going on) I'll ask you again! DD

stlucia

You're so lovely, thank you to think of me.

Ok I did 10 mins last time out of the fridge but in a cool box...in the freezing car as I drove to my friends and she did my first one for me as she's a medic. Apparently I didn't need to have the nurse appointment if I knew a medic who could do it, and at the moment I'm happy for anyone but me to do my injections for me....I'm too scared I'll pull it out if I jump when it goes in!

Do your injections sting like crazy?

xxxx

dreamdaisy

Not always: it depends on how close to a nerve I get, I think. Some are better than others, some are vile. It's the preservative that stings and it doesn't last for ever - I do mine last thing at night then go to bed with a cuppa, read for a little to distract myself then settle down. It is very easy to do for oneself and doesn't take long. My first one was a total nightmare: done by a nurse who had never done one before and had the instructions in one hand whilst trying to read them without her glasses. That hardened my resolve quite superbly - any time I shirk I remember that and suddenly it's job done! I do forget to breathe tho - that can make it worse, apparently. DD

stlucia

I have a good tip for blood tests, injections and any other unpleasant procedure involving 'a sharp scratch'.... you breath in firmly as they put it in and somehow you seem to be more focused on breathing in that the pain of the needle. I discovered it after about 5 years of needles every month and now I do it without fail and it's SO much better!

x

mp1952

Hi DD

DO you think it's better to inject in the thigh or stomach? I've had my 'introductory session, today, with a view to starting Humira in a few weeks, so I'm just working things out...
The nurse mentioned some people are 'hypersensitive' to the injection and I wondered if the 'tough' flesh of my thigh would be better than the 'delicate' flesh of my stomach!!

Marion

stlucia

Ooh Marion, I went for a bit of flab rather than dare put it into my thigh! Eeeek! Will be interested to hear what DD says though.
x

dreamdaisy

Blimey girls, I am not an expert in these matters (tho I have been doing this since July 09 so have plenty of experience). I prefer the stomach as a) it's a lovely, large and hugely flabby area in my case, so plenty to grab and b) I was told that there are fewer nerve endings in that region. Given that that the H can sting that seemed a sensible choice, to me anyway. RE the meth tho, well, that's different. a) I can see the needle - I think it's about half a mile long so it's pretty daunting and b) I am still quite new to this, so I shall try the thigh next Wednesday, not whilst seated (makes the muscles etc tense, apparently). With the enbrel I had to alternate all four 'sites' as it were, tummy left hand side, tummy right, left thigh, right thigh as I was injecting twice weekly - H&M are a little different on that score.

Did I actually answer your questions? I am not awake yet. Sorry - up early for H delivery. DD

stlucia

You are the resident expert on injections!! I am a complete novice and haven't earned any badges yet!!!
Very helpful tips, thank you
x

tkachev

Hi St Lucia,

I have never injected into my thigh! The only consolation for putting on weight is my stomach is perfect for injections. I don't think I would ever be brave enough to do the thigh!!!!

I haven't taken my Humira this week as my cold is not shifting and do not want to make it worse. I have missed MTX too.

I can't have a flu jab because I have a cold either!

Elizabeth

tkachev

stlucia wrote:

You're so lovely, thank you to think of me.

Ok I did 10 mins last time out of the fridge but in a cool box...in the freezing car as I drove to my friends and she did my first one for me as she's a medic. Apparently I didn't need to have the nurse appointment if I knew a medic who could do it, and at the moment I'm happy for anyone but me to do my injections for me....I'm too scared I'll pull it out if I jump when it goes in!

Do your injections sting like crazy?

xxxx

I leave mine on the table for half an hour- I am sure that is what I was told. I have left it for 2 hours before but the helpline said that was fine.
Sometimes the injection stings other time I don't feel a thing. My OH used to do my first few injections but then I took over.

Elizabeth

stlucia

Excellent, I'l try leaving mine out for longer next week. Thanks...eek I hope it won't be sore again!

x

Chinup

Good morning

I started Humiru two weeks ago, the first injection in my tummy was fine ( a little stinging) :shock: but I did end up in bed after a hour as I had a pounding headache come on, last night I gave my second injection im my tummy again x:) as im too scared to give it in my thigh, I also took some asprin and this time no headache , just a small red mark on tummy, I take mine out the fridge about a hour before. I hope your next one goes ok. Im hoping they are going to work for me, at the moment my body is still full of steroids, so not sure if and when they will work. Good luck x x:)

tkachev

Hi Chinup,

Please check the aspirin leaflet for medicines you shouldn't take aspirin with. There is a long list and I know I cannot take it for some reason.

Elizabeth

stlucia

Everyone has been so helpful thank youx

tillytop

Hello StLucia and all!

Just to add my bit about the Humira injections. I used to take mine out of the fridge about 2 hours before I used it which I found made the injection much easier to do. Originally I found that injecting in my stomach was much easier and less painful that injecting into my thighs. But I used to get reactions at the injection site and, when I injected into my stomach, the sore bit rubbed on my clothes so I started injecting into my thighs instead. Didn't find that so easy and sometimes it hurt alot, other times it didn't - not sure why. Was interested to read DD's tip about putting your legs up to relax the muscles before injecting into your thigh. Makes sense when you think about it doesn't it?

Finally, I know I have said this elsewhere before but, due to the injection site reactions, I was advised by the consultant to take an over the counter non-drowsy anti-histamine tablet about an hour before the injection and this worked really well. Sometimes I needed to take a pill the next day too, and very occasionally the day after but it reduced the injection site reaction significantly.

Good luck to all with the next Humira injections!!!!

Love Tilly xxx

stlucia

Thanks so much. I feel very supported with all these good ideas. not so nervous about the next injection now!

mp1952

Thanks very much folks...

Oh, I am sooo lucky - I have 2 flabby thighs and a flabby stomach - so I have plenty of choice!!


Hope you are all OK in this blooming weather .. I have been
cleaning and tiying the house, so not ventured out yet!

Marion x

dreamdaisy

On re-reading this I don't think I made myself clear - not on this thread anyway, sorry girls. Re the thigh injections, my rheumatology nurse suggested that I do them whilst sitting on a bed - that way the muscles are more relaxed than when seated or standing. I will try this on Wednesday this week, tho not with much enthusiasm: I didn't like the enbrel in the thigh and I guess I won't like this - still, it's mind over matter, yes? I don't mind and it doesn't matter! It will at least give me a greater set of choices for the jabs. DD

stlucia

Thanks DD, I think I'm too nervous to try in my thigh this week - might go with my spare tyre!

scorpio

started mine 2 1/2 weeks ago and i have had fatigue, headaches, and muscle pain

the joy