Adalimumab 1st injection nurse not visiting to show me how to inject

Jem26

Hi Advice needed I am due to have my 1st Adalimumab injection this week as I live about 3hrs from my consultant they have arranged for Health Net to deliver and send out a nurse to show me how to inject so I was shocked when Health net said the nurse is not coming to see me but show me how to do the injection via video call, I have updated my consultant and his team, they were shocked as this is the only company they have used who have chosen to stop home visits.

my work colleague who is under a different home team said a nurse has been out twice and stayed with her to make sure no side effects, I know you have to inject yourself but would have liked at least for the 1st one it would be supervised, just in case there are problems, I had considered contacting my own Gp to see if a nurse would help if I made an appointment but they are under pressure with appointments and the consultant said it shouldn’t be down to them. So I wondering on what the group thoughts were Thank you ☺️

frogmorton

That's not good at all!! I would also be super nervous. I think I'd either make the journey (just as a one-off) over to rheumatology for the first jab or ask at my GP surgery for some lessons.

Is it a pre-loaded pen type? If so it might be dead easy, but still….

Not impressed with that service at all

Hope you get on ok ((()))

Toni x

jamieA

Hi @Jem26

I would contact your rheumatology clinic as @frogmorton says. I started adalimumab in July 2021 during covid so I did not get a home visit for my first injection from the supplier as would be the norm. Instead I was given a telephone call to talk me through it. My rheumatology clinic nurse had actually shown me the pen - and how to use it - when I was getting the blood tests in advance of the process being set up so it wasn't an issue to me. However during the call the instructor asked if there was someone at home with me at the time. I wanted the the injection process started so I lied and said there was and we completed the injection. Afterwards I asked why she'd asked if there was someone at home with me at the time and she said it was in case I had a reaction to the injection.

Jem26

Hi Toni

Thank you so much for your reply much appreciated.

Yes I have asked it to be documented on my record that I am not happy, the company are being paid to come out but refusing I found when I tel the nurses they were very unhelpful and was made to feel that I was bothering them and should be grateful that I am getting a video call.
Just can’t get a an appointment with my own Gp nursing team at present.
So will see how I go.

Thank you again take care😊

Jem26

Hi Jamie

Thank you I asked my sister if she wouldn’t mind being with me as I was worried If I had a reaction.

My Rheumy team are over 3hrs away they took over my care as my local clinic were not able to help and get my condition under control.

So will see how I get on I can understand it was difficult during Covid but feel that they could have managed one visit, I work in the NHS non clinical so understand difficulties care in the community are having. But that not helping me.

Hope you are getting on well with the injection take care and thank you for the reply much appreciated ☺️x

Arciere

just adding two pennies here. I didn’t receive a home visit from health net home care either, for the Adalimumab - which was prescribed in 2024. The product sat in my fridge for a week. When I eventually got through to a representative, which took a few goes, they just asked if I was confident to give it a go, so I did. The leaflet was informative.

The only time I have messed it up, was when the plunger seemed to take ages. There was no second click. When I took it t off my leg it then clicked and the drug ran down the surface of my skin. So now I’m more patient and I watch the plunger.

It is quite easy, but I try not to press too hard. I also swap legs each time ( for the injection site )

Not quite sure what to do with the empty pens though. (they are in a full sharps bin. I can see a new bin can be selected)

Good luck with it - I do think it’s working from the stiffness perspective - I’m still fighting fatigue however.

What does everyone do with their full sharps bins ?

claudsl

Hi @Arciere

I have always been advised to take my sharps bins to the pharmacy for them to dispose of when they are full. However, if you get your medication delivered to your home they should be able to take the sharps bins too.

Claudia

Trish9556

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/725481#Comment_725481

Hi

After having my hip op and having to inject blood thinners for 4 weeks my pharmacy said they could no longer take them due to new rules nationide and to contact my local authority. After searching sharps bin on their site I just ordered a collection and that was it. There was a couple of weeks delay before collection and I think you can also order a regular coke too but not sure.

Trish xx

Jem26

Thank you Arciere😊I have had a look at videos not nervous re injecting but it would have be reassuring to have a nurse visit 1st time just in case I messed it up or had a reaction. Just think they are not a patient centred company. They are being paid to give a service other companies still come out so it’s just interesting to hear the groups comments. Hope all are keeping well and medication working sorry to hear you are fighting with fatigue I also have fibromyalgia so tired all the time 😫x

jamieA

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/725456#Comment_725456

Hi @Jem26

The addition of the biologic to the sulfasalazine and methotrexate I was already on was a real game changer for me. Within 2 months of starting the biologic I was able to hand back my crutches. I now walk my dog 50-60kms a week - albeit with a limp. I'm not fixed by any means but I'm in a far better place than I was.

I hope adalimumab works for you.

jamieA

Hi @Arciere

I live in Scotland and the company contracted to deliver my biologic is Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Home Care. Part of the service is the supply and then collection of the full sharps bin. I know my local pharmacy - who supply the rest of my prescribed drugs - would not accept used sharps bins.

Jem26

Just a quick update I have had my 1st injection today, nurse was very informative and watched me inject via zoom call, all went well so will see how I go. Still would have liked a home visit but if like me they will not visit I hope someone else will have a positive experience 😊and your health improves xx

Woofy

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/63114/adalimumab-1st-injection-nurse-not-visiting-to-show-me-how-to-inject

similar thing happened to me, with my metoject methotrexate injection. I was supposed to have a one to one appointment at my hospital, unfortunately the nurse I spoke to on the phone said she was about to go on leave at the time, and the other team nurse was off sick. I had to watch a video on YouTube, which was for a different type of pen injection. I just followed the leaflet in the end, that came with the injection. It was fine. Just get yourself prepared, have everything to hand. You’ll be ok I promise.

frogmorton

Well done @Jem26

I'm so glad all went well no reaction and you managed.

Still not right to feel so unsupported though.

I really hope this is the right drug for you and it helps loads

Take care

Toni x

Jem26

Hi Toni thank you 🙏 feel ok so far despite a headache so hoping it works going forward.
Yes a visit would have been nice but wasn’t to be think I will be ok when I administer my next injection. Hope you keep well take care xx

Jem26

Hi all just a quick update I am due to inject my second injection tomorrow have been ok except my ankles swelling been to see GP who wasn’t worried has anyone else had a similar side effect Thank you ☺️