Desprite need of courage and people in my pocket

magicdragon

I'm off to hospital today to go on to the day case ward to take my first Humira injection. Im really in two minds about it, on the one hand im of the opinion i've had much worse done to me its nothing and the other remembering back to how sick I got on methotrexate on such a low dose.

I think that because Humira is much more potent it does worry me. I never got past 7.5mg (tablets) with methotrexate because I developed Pleurisy among other things nearly put me in hospital no thanks to the old rheumy department. Dermatologist took me off the medication he was so concerned.

On the plus side, I really believe that my current rheumy dept would jump on any problems quickly, I really believe that my old dept wouldn't have released if I died in their care. I think its nice to no that someone would notice

I think the other thing is i'm not squeamish but I think that there is something about jabbing a needle into your thigh that you know is going to hurt goes against nature lol. I think its the unknown more than anything plus I hate hospitals and no lolly pops either its just wrong although I think my nurse said she would try and sort something out. Going to get some pretty plasters too.

Sorry If I don't make much sense tired and In alot of pain

Much hugs

prefabkid47

Hi magicdragon
Wish all the best for today and will happily jump in your pocket for the day.My only experience of self injecting was having to do it in my tummy for a couple of weeks post op (as DVT precaution).The first couple of times were a little daunting,but soon got the technique and after that wasn't bothered.
My OH is insulin dependant diabetic and has injected herself a number of times daily and has done so for over 30 years.It has become a part of her life.
Ron x

kellerman

Pocket duties on the way.
I've never injected myself but can understand how you feel.
Eventually it will become second nature to you.....I hope it helps the pain.
May

SheilaD

Hi May will be in your pocket (if there is room for a little one ) I don't inject and hope I will never have to.

Hope everything goes well for you.

Love n hugs
SheilaD xx

jillyb1

Hi ,May , just wanted to say please don't be worried . I also had dreadful reactions to methotrexate , but no problem whatsoever with humira . I've been self injecting humira for nearly 2 years now ; no pain , no nasty side effects , just gain . Will be in your pocket with Betsy dog in tow for extra support . Jillyb

elnafinn

Hi magicdragon

Long time no hear. x;) So pleased to read that at last you are getting good treatment from your current rheumy department. I remember well that some time ago you were not getting the help you rightly deserved.

I wish you all the very best today. You will be fine. I do hope that it all works well for you and do please keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

Hugs
Elna x

barbara12

Hi magicdragon
Its good to have you back with us, you are bound to be scared you wouldn't be normal if you weren't, I will certainly be in your pocket today, you try to have faith in the drug and it will work better for you.
Wishing you well with it all and please let us know how you get on.x

frogmorton

Dear magicdragon

Cris skexier and l have seen your post and wanted to let you know that wel will both be in your pocket 100% (she is still not able to type atm)

Any trouble with the staff - let us know - we can be pretty viscious in defense of our forum friends x;)

Love and hugs

Toni xx Cris xx

GraceB

Good luck with this magicdragon. I'm sure it will go well for you.
Grace.

bubbadog

I wanted to wish you good luck with the procedure Magicdragon, and say I will squeeze into your pocket ready for my duties! Take care and hope it does the job!

valval

i do hope i am not to late had to fetch the flask of tea good luck val

magicdragon

Thank you so much everyone for your kind words and pocket duties boy there sure were many of you ! It really meant a great deal especially as none of my ' friends ' said a word on Facebook only one did whom I met on here . I managed to gather enough courage to inject myself and I don't no about the others who inject yourself but I found it the most painful injection I've had and can see why some ppl liken it to acid ..... So far sore leg making me walk abut wonky will let everyone no how it goes

Magic hugs

elnafinn

Did you use the syringe or the pen, magic dragon? There seem to be quite a few tips on the net by users as to how to make the injecting as easy and painfree as possible. All say the pain they get, which varies from person to person, is well worth it for the benefits. I am sure it will come easier with practice.

Perhaps you could ask others on here who inject humira,what tips they would suggest to make the procedure as painfree as possible.

Look after yourself,
Elna x

julie47

oh magic......I am sorry I missed this post yesterday and I don't know why as I kept popping on through the day :oops:

Well done for injecting yourself, I think the first couple of times must be rather scary as you dont want to hurt yourself.
You have done it now so hopefully it won't be as bad next time.

Hope you are not too sore today

Love Juliepf x

bubbadog

Hi Magic, You are one brave cookie! I couldn't inject myself! I bet it felt like acid, a foriegn liquid in your viens other than blood will feel noticeable, but well done for doing it, I tip my hat (if I had one on my head!) to you! Hope you feel better this morning.

dreamdaisy

Hi magicdragon, firstly many congratulations from me as I do the humira stuff every fortnight and even after 29 months I am still not used to it (I have a cracking bruise from last Sunday's effort!)

If you are going to inject in the leg then make sure you are sitting and not standing - sitting with your legs out straight is even better, this way your leg muscles are relaxed whereas if you stand they are tense and that can hurt more. Use the top of the thigh and grasp a big handful of flab (if you have any!) hold the syringe hard against and inject (I have the pens).

I prefer to inject into my stomach as there are fewer nerve endings in that. I also take the jollop out of the fridge for at least 20 minutes to warm up a little as that reduces the sting. My first humira was administered by a nurse who had never done one before and it was horrific - it's the only time I have come out from a hospital in tears and that made me all the more determined to do my own. Unlike the meth I cannot control the speed of the humira (yes, it still takes me by surprise and I still forget to breathe whilst it's going in!) but I would far rather do it for myself than have some other charlie fiddling about: at least I can only get cross with me, yes?

Good luck, I hope it works for you as well as it does for others on here, keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on. I wish you well. DD

magicdragon

Thanks everyone,

Im on the pen type goes in so fast feels like a bolt gun! I think it will come with some experience. Thanks dream daisy for the advice and I suspected it would never become natural jabbing a needle in your leg. Have you had any side effects?

Thanks for everyones support been having quiet alot of bad joint pain still like something is munching on my joints (literally it can get off now) and bouts of nausea.

Many hugs

Magic

dreamdaisy

I've been troubled by very little in the way of side effects - on the weeks when I do the meth as well then one day may be lost due to extreme tiredness but I reckon that's all. I do the humira just before I go to bed, that way I am immobile for a good few hours and may sleep through any nasties but so far, so good. I now do the meth in the thigh - it's now wonderful but far, far better than the 'bolt' being stuck in there! (I've switched to that due to having a couple of spots on my side and one of them turning nasty.) Keep in touch, let us know how you are getting on. DD

GraceB

Magic,
Firstly well done for injecting yourself in the first place! The first one is over with now so the rest will be easier for you to deal with.
I hope the side effects disappear quickly for you and that you feel the benefits of the jab soon.
Take care,
Grace.

magicdragon

Thanks for the info dreamdaisy and for the support GraceB.

Unfortunately now on top of everything I have the flu which i do think its generally mean that you get muscle and bone pain with the flu on top of arthur.

Box of tissues, cough sweets painkillers and such and it means yet more time of my leflunomide and maybe more time off this before its had chance to start! *head desk*

This has been one of my major worries because i seem to be so prone to infection even without these medications.

Poppyg1rl

Hi Magic,
Lovely to see you, and so sorry I missed this :oops: well done on injecting x:-) it's utterly terrifying the first time you inject, I tried Humira, but it wasn't for me so I've now been on Enbrel since July and although I've had some bad luck infection wise (shoulder op got infected) when I can take it, it is 'doing something'.
Now, you can ask your Rheumy to change the prescription to a syringe rather than pen. I did, my Humira and then Enbrel were pens and I found it painful and also exactly as you described 'like a bolt'. With the syringe you can inject slowly and that has made the world of difference to me.
The syringes are pre filled and individually sealed exactly like the pens and are delivered in the same way too.
I know you're feeling poorly now you poor thing, but when you can, why not ring and ask the Rheumy if you can swap? and, if you try it and you prefer to go back to the pens, you can. Thinking of you Magic, you're not alone with this, the wonderful people here will always try to help and support you.
Take care. Xxxx

frogmorton

Well done YOU Magic x:-D

I am so proud of you (this from confirmed needle-phobe)

Now all you have to do it rest - get your head off the desk and lie it gently down on a pillow in bed or on the settee and REST x;)

Love

Toni xx

julie47

aww magic sorry that you now have a cold to contend with,
Keep warm. plenty of drinks and I hope it passes soon

Take care
Love Juliepf x