Starting methotrexate injections

vickyb17uk

Hi all. Due to start methotrexate injections tomorrow. Can anyone tell me what will happen at the appointment? Will I have to give myself the Injection there and then or are you able to practice so to speak with a dummy pen so that I can do the real one nearer bedtime? The reason I ask is because I needed to go back to work after and a bit anxious over any side effects

BettyMac

Hi Vicky
I’m sure there’s a degree of variation in how different hospitals go about things so I can only tell you how it was for me.

I had a very relaxed appointment with the Rheumatology Specialist Nurse. She was very thorough but managed to put me at ease.
She talked me through the procedure and I did a practice run with the dummy pen.
Then I did it for real. It’s a really easy device to use and there’s only a wee sting when you do it.
I usually do it in my thigh - but some people find the belly a better place.
I had no immediate side effects and was able to drive myself home afterwards.

I sometimes get a bit of nausea the day after my injection but it doesn’t kick in immediately.

I’ve also had home visits from the Healthcare-at-Home nurses - when I started on Benepali injections. They were lovely, too. And the procedure was very similar - ie, explain, demo, dummy, real thing.

Hope it goes well for you tomorrow. Let us know how you get on.

vickyb17uk

Thanks. I think it's just nerves over the unknown. Just really don't want to feel ill at work either. I've had the tablets and was really poorly on them.

dreamdaisy

These things vary from hospital to hospital. I was initially trained for enbrel administered via syringe, I rolled up at the hospital, they showed me an orange and I thought 'Stuff that, this junk is going into me' so I did it for myself (the syringe contained sterile water). After years of watching others inject me it was hardly rocket science, after all they are only sub-cut (sub-cutaneous).

For the humira pen a nurse came out to my house and showed me but I really didn't need the instruction, it's not hard to place the business end against the pinched skin and press a button but I was already familiar with the whole business which I'm sure helped.

I enjoy (weird word!) the convenience of doing my injections at home, for years I had to go to the hospital for them (towards the end it was twice weekly every fortnight) so this is a boon. I have no trouble doing them and no trouble after, apart from feeling a little extra tired every now and again. DD

dreamdaisy

Hello, I've been thinking about you and wondering how it went; I hope all is well. DD

vickyb17uk

Hi

All been ok thanks. Have had 2 so far. Third one tomorrow. Was a little bit sick last Friday but had other stuff going on as well and I'm hoping it was a blip because of that rather than the methotrexate. I think also as last week's was first done completely on my own (first one I did myself but with nurse present)I had worked myself up perhaps. Other than just feeling wiped out 2 days later I've been ok.

Thanks

stickywicket

So far, so good, then. I hope it carries on that way