Feel like a wimp especially Mondays

joon51
joon51 Member Posts: 221
edited 11. Oct 2011, 04:11 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone not been around for quite a while, thought I would let you know what I have been up too.

Don't know if any of you can remember about a year ago I went into hospital to have my big toe fused ( nothing at all to do with arther) at the time I said it didn't look or feel right, well I have just been and had the screw taken out also they lengthend my tendon and released the joint of my big toe, I go back friday to have dressing off stitches out and see where we go from there.

On the arther side I have been trying to come off pred for over a year now without success every time I get below 5mg start to flare. Saw the rheumy today and he has suggested injecting mtx I have been down this route before I am on 25mg mtx tablet a week, the trouble is the thought of injecting fills me with fear taking the tabs makes me so nauseaus, and I am sure as each week goes by it gets worse, sitting here now waiting to take my pills thinking the longer I rant I dont have to take them. He also suggested if I didn't want to inject he would put me on Leflunomide as a add-on. In reality one minute I think YES I will inject, my OH has even offered to do the deed. Suppose what I am asking which I am sure I have asked in the past how do you all manage those of you who inject?


Thank-you and Take Care Junexx

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,835
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey Joon!!!!!

    Good to see you :smile:

    sorry about the injections l am a needle phobe so l can't really help. having said that l do know some who have theirs done at their local doctor's surgery once a week so maybe you could look into that??

    That would be more difficult to 'bottle' l think if there was a fixed appointment.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I focused on the benefits of the injections: in my case the major one was not having to go to the hospital once a week for something I could do myself: I now only go once a month to collect the new supply. I had to overcome my dislike of self-injecting when I was on enbre: they were twice a week but even then doing the meth for the first time was a wobbly moment. I managed it and now I don't think twice.

    The injection is more powerful than the tablets as you are by-passing the digestion system, so if meth helps you that could mean that you gain a greater benefit from a lesser dose. I don't know your situation joon, but if you feel unable to do it would the nurse at your GPs be able to do it for you? OK, that would tie you down to a once-a-week visit which you may find an acceptable trade-off. The jab takes less than five seconds and is easy to do - the psychological hurdle is more difficult. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • theresa4
    theresa4 Member Posts: 696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI
    Ive been injecting MTX for years now but I have no issue with needles. Its quick and easy and the nurses will show you how to do it and you can go in for a few weeks to do it in front of them til you are confident. My GP practice nurse also told me that if my hands were bad they would be happy to do my injection as all my family are needle phobes.
    My friend is now on it so she says shell do it if I need ahand which could be possible this week.

    Good luck

    Theresa.x
    There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those. --Michael Nolan



    Theresa xxx
  • joon51
    joon51 Member Posts: 221
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Toni and DD nice to hear from you both the more I think about injecting the more it seems to be more pratical. I have read the leaflet on Leflunomide and that can cause nauseau to, I have got to the stage now that even the thought of taking my tablets makes me want to gag (sorry too much information).

    I have to go to gps tomorrow for blood test I shall ask if they would be able to help for a few time until I get used to it fingers crossed.

    Take Care Junexx
  • joon51
    joon51 Member Posts: 221
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanx Theresa Think I am definately going to go for it. The rhuemy nurse showed me the needle before found when I was holding it I was shaking like a leaf but if I could get rid of this nauseau it will be woth it.
    Take Care Junex
  • nanasue
    nanasue Member Posts: 465
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Joon, if you really can't get used to injecting have you thought about trying to split the dose, my rheumy told me to do this to combat nausea. I'm on 20mg and anyhting over 15 causes me problems. He said I could take one tablet in morning and one in evening and if that didn't help then try taking 10mg one day and 10 the next which is what I do and don't have any problems. Good luck with whatever you decide,

    Sue x
  • ritwren
    ritwren Member Posts: 928
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good luck with your injections, once you get used to them you'll hardly feel a thing. As you've seen the needle is similar to the one used by folk who have to inject insulin. I find that if I give my skin a good pinch and hold firmly then my brain focuses on that rather than the needle and most of the time I hardly feel a thing.
    Nausea can be a big problem and I'm not sure if you're actually taking anything for yours? I take metoclopramide the day before my injection and for about 3 days afterwards and it really helps. You describe feeling nausea at the very thought of the injection, perhaps your GP can give you something more to help there as well. Very best of luck, let us know how you get on.Rita. :smile:
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Aww you are not a wimp ...just being realistic...and its good that you have come back to talk about it...that in itself will help you.
    I am sure that when the time comes you will sought something out...like the others say ...you do get used to doing it...but there are always other options .....
    I really do wish you well with it all..
    Love
    Barbara