Mtx injection any advise please

madwestie
madwestie Member Posts: 383
edited 6. Jan 2014, 10:10 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello all I have benn injecting methotrexate for about 4 years now and the last few months I have found that I am dreading doing the injection. I have to get hubby todo the wipe as the smell of it makes me feel sick. I have been injecting in the tummy .
Does anyone have any ideas how to get over this. I know it is all in my head but I dread Monday mornings.

Comments

  • thistlegirl
    thistlegirl Member Posts: 229
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I went through exactly the same thing. I still can't stand the smell of the wipes. This was good few years ago but I think I also started injecting in my thigh-smell further from my nose? I got to the point that I would skip the wipes some nights as I just couldn't stand them, not ideal. I would really dread injection night, that added to the fact that the MTX just wasn't working for me anymore meant I changed onto an anti TNF not long after.

    Things have improved now so when I have wipes at hospital it is no issue, as you say all in our head but it doesn't make it any less unpleasant does it?
    Do they have other wipes you could try?
    Jenny
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    I have been injecting for a year now and always use alternate thighs. Make yourself a cuppa and have a biscuit ready before you begin. I like to pick a quiet time of day. Prepare the needle first and then open the wipe like Jenny said the site is a bit further away from the nose. You could cover your nose until the first smell has dissipated, gently squeeze the thigh area and make sure the needle is vertical then continue as you would with your tummy one.
    Enjoy the cuppa and the reward biscuit.
    Good luck for tomorrow,
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I confess I don't use the provided wipes because I struggle to open the stupid little packets. One of my rheumatology nurses said that if I was 'socially clean' then all would be well so I inject after my morning shower. Post-jab I press a general anti-bac wipe over the site for a short while and then chuck it in the sharps bin. I do the same with my humira jab, I'm four years in and so far so good. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • ritwren
    ritwren Member Posts: 928
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Like DD I don't use the wipes. I never had and have never had a problem at the site either, I've been on MTX for years apart from a 6 month break. I have a shower or bath in the morning and give the injection a couple of hours or so later on.

    I hope some of these tips help but if they don't you could see your GP and ask him/her to prescribe something to help with the sickness. I take Metaclopramide when I get up on the injection morning and for the following 2 days, it does help.

    Hope you get something sorted soon.
  • trepolpen
    trepolpen Member Posts: 504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi , I was the same & endded up that I could not inject myself & went back on tablets , I do the anti-tnf with no problems because they are pens
  • dibdab
    dibdab Member Posts: 1,498
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there,

    I'm just at the beginning of injectable meth, and the rheumy nurses tell me that they will be transferring to the pen style equipment in spring, so maybe there's hope on the horizon? Also in my 2 supervised weeks so far I haven't been told to use the medicated wipes 1st- is it maybe worth asking your rheumy nurse if it's essential to use them, or maybe just a baby wipe or some such to cleanse the area?

    Hope you get it sorted soon.

    Deb x
  • madwestie
    madwestie Member Posts: 383
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all for your support I thought I would brave it and do my injection this morning. Well I tried my thigh and the wipes still smell as bad so I think I will give them a miss next week but the injection in the thigh was far easier and painless. I really wanted to thank you all for you tips and support as it made my Monday morning a lot better than normal.
    I really hope they do start using the pens as that will make it a lot easier all round. When I started the injections they were separate needles and a lot bigger so it is better now than it was but I would still like a pen.
    I have to say my thigh was better than my tummy I don't know if my tummy has got harder are the years from all the injections or if my thigh has less nerves but I will certainly be using my thighs from now on.
  • dibdab
    dibdab Member Posts: 1,498
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Glad it was a better experience today- well done you!!!!!! :)

    Deb x
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The only time I have injected was after my THR ..for around 5 weeks...the nurse at the hospital never used to the wipes and I wondered why so when I went back...she said has long has you are clean.. the bacteria on your skin is your own and wont cause any probs...still not so sure..I hope you can get used or even ask about not using them.x
    Love
    Barbara
  • cherrybim
    cherrybim Member Posts: 334
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    When I began Cimzia (by pre-loaded syringe) I was told by the instructing nurse not to use the wipes. The same instructions applied when I began Embrel by pen.

    I'd far rather have a loaded syringe than a pen though; I absolutely hate my weekly 'objections' by pen, doesn't matter which part I choose to fire at :roll:

    However we're all different :)

    Cherry
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