I have to give myself a Humira injection tonight. I don't want to. I never want to. Who would? I feel like a wimp complaining but I just don't like it!
I recently exchanged my regular needle for the new pen (push a button and the needle shoots in all by itself), I was told people like it better. It is supposed to be better, easier and hurt less. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, I agree it's easier but it definitely hurts more! Is it just me? Why is this pen so popular?
I need to find a way to psych myself up for it. Maybe I could have cookies as my reward after. Kind of like when kids get a lollipop or stickers at the doctor after their immunizations. Some kind of consolation prize. If you have any suggestions, please send them along. Thanks.
Posted by
Jennie
on
March 21, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Categories:
Health Decisions
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6 comments:
Hi Jennie,
Thanks so much for visiting my site and for your comment. :-)
I just read your post and I take Humira shots as well. I use the regular needle and use these tricks to make it less painful:
Before injecting, put a small ice pack on the injection site and let it sit for a few minutes. In the meantime, warm up the fluid in the syringe. I usually put it under my armpit and alternate after about one and a half minute. By the time the injection site is cooled, the Humira is body temperature and the injection is hardly painful.
I also inject slowly. Experience taught me, that is less painful as well.
I hope these tips are helpful. I know for me, Humira is a miracle drug! I hope it helps you as well as it did me.
Have a very blessed day!:-)
God's Grace.
I don't think it's the pen that hurts more, I think it's the med. If you're used to injecting methotrexate - that drug doesn't hurt. . . but the biologics do so I think they would hurt regardless of if it was a pen or a needle.
You are right, it's the medicine that hurts going in. I've never injected methotrexate (I take pill form) but I did use the regular injection needle for several years. With the regular needle I could go slow when I injected it, the pen goes fast whether you like it or not :) I did try the ice pack suggestion and that seemed to help some. I guess it's a trade off, I like not having to insert the needle and it is over fast when it injects that quickly.
i have taking the pen for 3 months now and i jsut can't get used to the pain tonight the pain was so bad that i pulled the needle out and only half the med went in and i have a welt now on my leg. can anyone help me or give me advice i am a newly diagnosed RA 43 y/o
Hi Lidia, I would talk to your doctor about it. Someone before recommended icing the area before so it's not so sensitive, and also letting the pen warm up for a few minutes before injecting it. I would try those in addition to discussing it with your doctor.
I have way, way, way less pain when injecting the Humira pen a couple inches from my belly button. Others told me I was crazy to try that location, but the thigh was very painful. I completely recommend trying it!
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