hi Val,

i started on Humira and was more than a little nervous !!

i use the Epi Pen pre-loaded one so don't think it's the one you mean,

are you not having a Community Nurse coming out for the first one..? my Rheumy Nurse did my first one and i did the second one in front of her as she know's i get in a state.

i didn't have any reaction with it it at all and have a good result in the first month, the second month hasn't shown any significant change but Rheumy Nurse said it's early days yet.

i do mine perfectly OK now,

Suzanne x

Hi Val

I have been using Enbrel since January which is another anti-tnf and have been injecting myself with no problems. The important thing is to get it out of the fridge for at least half an hour before injecting as otherwise it stings. I do manage to give myself an occasional bruise and always inject in the stomach rather than the leg as there is more flesh there.

Hope all goes well for you and that you get good results

Best Wishes

Sue

Hi Val, the pen looks huge doesn't it!
I would recommend doing it in the stomach (I have lots of buffeting there!) the nurse will sit with you when you do it.
I was told to count to 10 AFTER the liquid has gone in to make sure it has all gone in.
The pen does have a loud sound when you press it but that is NOT the needle going in, it is just the noise the plunger makes so don't panic!

Good luck Val, I'm on Humira and inject in tummy - plenty to go at. Definitely take it out of fridge for 20/30 mins but no longer. Can sting a bit some times but can put up with it for 10 seconds. I didn't have any immediate improvement but 4 to 6 months after starting, I suddenly realised how many things I could do again with a lot less pain. Thinking of you.

Julie x

Just to give all you kind people who replied an update - my first injection has been postponed for 2 weeks as I am on antibiotics for yet another uti. I will keep you posted.


Val

Just to let you know that I am having my 1st injection this thursday - still scared but I will get over it

Val

hi Val,

there was no one more scared than me trust me !! so much so that my Rheumy Nurse did it for me rather then the Community Nurse.

it only stings for a few seconds, but you will get talked through it all.

let us know how you get on,

Suzanne x

Hi Val

I've been on these for quite a lot of months now. You can't actually see the needle unless you purposely look right up the tube!! You can completely avoid looking at it.

I take it out for at least 30 mins to make sure it is definitely room temperature. There are two ends to take off. They are labelled one and two, so you know which order to take them off. Then hold it, pushing it into the stomach (quite hard.. as I have plenty of flab!!) ... push the plunger (which does make you jump the first time - so hold it tight to your tummy don't release it) - then you can see the yellow indicator moving through the window. When it gets to the bottom, keep holding it in a little longer before pulling it. That's it.

It was surprisingly straight forward.. but then I'm not squeamish. Occasionally there is a slight sting, but most times I don't feel anything. The nurses came round once for me, and we both decided that I didn't need them for the second one!

I now do it after I have had a bath in the evening and have my PJ's on. I found it bruises a lot if you then put jeans on straight afterwards!!! So I changed my routine! I guess the tight jeans caused the large bruise I got one time... not had a bruise since.

The nurses who comes to show you should give you plenty of time and talk to you about what to do. They gave me a practise one to try, so I got to hear how noisy it is when you use it, before 'going live' so to speak. I'm glad they did, otherwise I would have jumped and probably pulled out the pen!

So I hope all goes well for you. It has certainly been my wonder drug.. so I hope it is yours too.

Anne

All the best Val,
you will be nervous but if it gives some relief it is well worth it. good luck and do let us know how you get on.
suev xx

Hi Val
Great News Well Done.

Here's hoping the results are as good.

Best Wishes

Sue