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I'm afraid to take my shot tomorrow

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Posted 3/27/2010 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
I follow all the tips- take my Humira pen out for 30 mins., don't inject until the alcohol is dry, etc and my first 2 shots did not hurt a bit! I was so happy because everyone said they hurt terribly. Then I took my 3rd one and OUCH!!!!! It hurt like you know what! Plus it stung and burned. For about an hr. every once in awhile I got a sensation like I injected again!
Now I'm scared. I can see me tomorrow with my thumb on the button forever being too scared to click> sad

What do you think it was? I think maybe I injected in a little blood vessel. I see some spidery blue where I last injected. I'm going to try and steer clear of that.
Posted 3/27/2010 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
I can never tell how my body will react to a Humira injection. Some just hurt more than others: I've never been able to work out why.

Some people on the Crohn's forum find it helps to ice the skin before they inject. It hasn't helped me much, but they say it helps with the pain.

All the best,

Ivy.
Posted 3/27/2010 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have only had one injection of humira so far --due for another one on Wednesday. My first one stung a bit. I have taken enbrel and had no stinging at all. so I was a bit take back when my first humira stung a bit. it was a burning sensation for awhile after as well. But....it was not too bad .more of shock . however, Now I will probably anticipate it and be anxious for my next one.
I had a infection and am on antibiotics so I have to be cleared before I can take my next shot... See my doc on Wednesday.
Posted 3/28/2010 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
I'll let you know how I make out tomorrow- YIKES!
Posted 3/28/2010 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
I dont have to take shots (yet). I am soo glad as I am afraid of needles....cry wanted to wish you luck tomorrow.smilewinkgrin
Posted 3/29/2010 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the well wishes TayIsa! Well I did it. I "conveniently" forgot I had to take it until like 6 PM tonight. I put a hard candy in my mouth because someone had suggested it takes your mind off things and it doesn't hurt as much. Well I don't know about that but it tasted good anyway.

I tell you I was nervous. I sat with that pen on my belly poised to click the button for I don't know how long. I broke out in a sweat, my heart was pounding and my body was all tensed up. I realized it would probably hurt even worse if I was all tensed up so I took a big breath, telaxed my muscles, counted 1-2-3 and pushed the button. It hurt but not like last time. So I guess it's going to be something different each time. It was over quick so it's nothing I can't deal with. Especially if it kicks in and makes me feel pre-RA.

Can I vent about something? My husband totally ignores this part of my life. I don't badger him with my fears or complaints about my disease but I did tell him how bad that last shot hurt and how I feared this one. He did not acknowledge this today at all. Did not say one word. Did not ask me how it was when I walked by with the cartridge to throw it in my sharps container. Did not ask me how I feel. Am I wrong to feel hurt? He complains all the time about his own joints. The way he talks you would think he has RA and I have even told him seriously that he should go to my RD and get checked out.

I feel depressed.

But anyway- I did it. I got the job done.
Posted 3/29/2010 3:26 AM (GMT 0)

Hey weary,

I missed getting on the well wish wagonsmilewinkgrin

Im glad it didnt hurt as much this time.

My whole family, except for the daughter that injects it for me, pretty much ignore that I take it and that its scary.

((HUGS)) for you weary - hope it kicks in quickly for yousmilewinkgrin

Jo

Posted 3/29/2010 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Weary,

I am so glad that you got the courage to do it, and that all worked out fine for you.

I am sorry to hear that your husband doesnt get it. I know sorta how you feel. My husband realizes I am hurting...but thinks I should suck it up.  He is sometimes oblivious to what little things can set off aching.  Yet other days he's concerned to a certain amount, like I asked him the other day if I went and bought milk (here its in 3 bags so kind a heavy) if he would bring it from the car into the house, and he did it for me no problems....But some days I have to walk to get my children from school and it hurts to walk that far, he looks at me like Im lazy...because preRA I walked all the time no complaints.

BUT.....then I found this site.  I can go on here and talk with others who DO  understand what I am going thru and who dont make you feel useless when you need to complain or vent.  So ...while I am super glad for you about your needle...I am also glad I could be here to be your ear to vent to.  I wish I could help more, but maybe your husband should go to a doctor if it turns out he doesnt have anything too major then you can tell him to quit complaining...lol or if its bad then you can point it out that see I feel like you do...

{gentle hugs} hope you have a great day and the meds kick in fast for you :-)

Posted 3/29/2010 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
awww thanks TayIsa and Sydney Jo for the kind words and understanding! I appreciate them very much!!!!!
Posted 3/30/2010 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Although I don't take Humera, I take the weekly Embrel shots. They are really a miracle. I always inject into my thighs and find that my right thigh never hurts and my left ALWAYS hurts like you mentioned. Just something about it. I can't wait for that shot to be over and feel the site sting when I use that leg until I go to bed. Every once in a while I have some bruising (especially on that left thigh), but have had lots of luck with the "Z method" (or whatever they call it). Clean the area, pull the skin to the side a little, do the shot, and then release the skin. It keeps you from having a straight track. I can't remember if they told me to when they trained me, but a friend told me that pressure after the shot will help out with that. It does.

You can do it. I hope that your Humera is the miracle that my Embrel has been. Keep us posted!
Posted 3/30/2010 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
hmmm- I haven't used the pinch the skin method- maybe I should try. Thanks for the tip!
Posted 3/31/2010 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
I am with you for tomorrow.Have to take every Wednesday. I have noticed that if I take it on the lower part of the thigh closer to knee I do not feel the sting but if I do anywhere else I feel a big sting for a while. But the pain of sting is much lesser than the stiffness :) .
Posted 4/1/2010 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hey weary, my old rhuemy had offered for me to go in to the office to get the Enbrel shots when I was supposed to start it (never did).  If panic and fear is taking you over (probably would me too, I'm scared of needles!) maybe you can go to the office and have them inject you a few times until and then inject yourself in front of them? At least for a few times for you to get comfortable with it? Also, maybe they have some suggestions for you on taking the shot without getting so much pain.

Someone mentioned (maybe it was the other thread I answered?) about their daughter giving them the shot. What about having your husband do it? It might get him involved. I think the doctor's office would train him to do it right, you'd go in together and they'd show him what to do and have him inject you there. It would certainly get him to acknowledge and be a part of your situation and healing. It may also generate more sympathy and understanding having to take part in what you have to do to just get through each day.

My husband sounds like TayIsa's...he helps out at time (like when i have heavy groceries - sometimes I have to ask, sometimes he just helps) and other times just ignores me....I stopped telling him how doctor appointments go because all he does is complain, "yeah, well last time they said X and this time they said Y and next time I'm sure they'll say Z..." Doesn't he realize I'm frustrated too but am at the mercy of these guys to help get me relief? His negativity doesn't help me stay positive.

Gentle hugs to all. **

Posted 4/1/2010 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Ca- my RD did make me practice with a needlefree click pen over and over again and then gave me my first shot.

I don't think I want my husband to do it. He has no patience and just does everything quickly without thinking. If he did it wrong and made me not get the medicine or hurts me I will get too mad!

Now today I am having a bad day- feels like my knee caps are being hammered upon, shoulders aching- in fact I just feel really crappy all over! I'm stressed out because next week my clerical support person is on vacation and my boss has 2 days off so I get to cover his work too. I hope I don't send myself into a flare-I haven't felt this bad for a long time. Plus I feel depressed for some reason-

So I thought I'm going to tell my husband how I'm feeling next time he calls- he's not a mind reader after all.

So he calls and starts telling me I don't know what I did to my wrist- it hurts so bad I can barely get a fork to my mouth. Now does that sound like RA to you or what? I know I had that problem at my onset. How could both of us have RA? I didn't bother to say anything about myself-

Posted 4/1/2010 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
A "welcome to my world" response may have been helpful tongue  I do understand your fear about your husband giving you the shot.

I'm sorry to hear you are so down. I'm just coming out of a couple of months of extreme pain, etc. I realize stress was causing a domino of issues. However, the last couple of days my knee has been screaming, feeling disjointed. Walking the stairs caused me severe agony. Today i woke with them a bit better (though the rest of me is achy) only to find out it was raining...funny how the release of pressure in the air can relieve the pain sometimes....

I often hold my tounge as well....but I'm realizing that it is breaking communication between me and my husband. I need to voice my opinioins and get things off my chest more even if he laughs at me...actually, he often doesn't even listen to me....but I need to try again....he is not mind reader either.

Hang in there! Don't let next week stress you out. It's just a few days. You can handle it.  Remember to get enough sleep, drink water, and take a few moments here and there to do some deep breathing and meditation....it'll help get through it all! YOu can do it!  smilewinkgrin  (Gee, I need to follow that advice myself.)

Posted 4/1/2010 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ca- I may be on here big time next week for support with the work issues. We are closed tomorrow. I'll rest up until Monday (well I have to cook Easter dinner Sunday....) I'm thinking maybe I'll take the following Monday off when my support person comes back. She told me today she does not get back until Sunday night at 11:30 PM! You know how flights are....it could be much later. I can just picture her extending her vacation 1 more day....ha! If I'm off she will really piss my boss off if she doesn't show up.
Posted 4/2/2010 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
LOL - you better get that Monday off approved NOW then! Then, it's out of your control! tongue
Posted 4/6/2010 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
CA- haven't asked for the day off yet but not sure what I'm waiting for. I only got thru Monday and now plowing through Tuesday and it has been pure he--!!!!!!
Posted 4/12/2010 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
So, how did everything go this past week? Are you taking tomorrow off?

 

Posted 4/13/2010 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi wearyRAsufferer! I don't take Humira but have mtx shots. I've done 5. The first 4 were fine. Stung slightly but that was about it. For some reason the 5th one went all *** up. I got all hot and sweaty at the thought of doing it so therefore I think that maybe why It hurt going in. When I took the needle out a bit of the liquid leaked out. Put on cotton wool hard but when took it off it was bleeding so had to put a plaster on. I then noticed a bit of my finger was bright yellow from the liquid so I immediately washed it off but it left my finger a bit sore. To top it all my leg stung for ages after. I'm very nervous about the next one also. Having dose increased and Rheumy said won't be metoject pre loaded suringes but will have to make it up myself ah! So worried now ah! How did u get on this week hun? XXX
Posted 4/13/2010 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Ca Mama I survived! It was really rough! I was stressing big time and berating myself because I couldn't get everything done. Sunday I wrote myself a list of everything I had taken care of and today I took a count of how many estimates I did on top of everything else (100- 40 of which were super complicated) and I felt like super woman! I really am my own worst enemy.

I did not take today off but I plan on treating myself to a day off some time soon. (I'm still way behind in my work)

I couldn't take my Humira shot yesterday because I can't get rid of this yeast infection! I don't know what's worse?

Abol- all I can say is when I had to take the next shot after the one that hurt I was really nervous and sweating too. I just sat there with the needle poised and could not bring myself to push the button. Finally I said to myself- what are you going to do sit here all day? I counted 1 2 3 and pushed! I wish you all the best with yours next week!
Posted 5/11/2010 8:51 AM (GMT 0)
I hope you finally were able to take your shot AND get a day to yourself!!! I can't seem to ever get online here but once a month!!!

Hope things are better.

Posted 5/13/2010 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
You know weary I had a lot of trouble with the pen injections and I swapped to the injections, I found I had more control of them, could inject them slower.
It took me awhile to get the courage up to inject myself, the first two or three I went to the nurse to help me but then I slowly got my confidence and found it so much better. May be worth a trial anyway?

I'm no longer on the humira but found it took a couple of months before it really kicked in for me.

Thats why I use HW to rant, husbands and family get on with life I find it easier to rave here when I need to, golitho
Posted 5/13/2010 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
golitho- I have a hard enough time pushing the button- I don't think I could ever JAB myself- LOL!
I took my last shot the Sunday before last and although my hands are better than they were as a whole it did not give me the result I was looking for when I weigh the risks against the benefits. I think it was truly my last Humira shot.
I think I may have to resolve myself that I will never be pre RA feeling and that this is my lot in life. I am full functioning so it could be a hell of a lot worse.
Posted 5/20/2010 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
I talked to a sales rep for Humira (she also has RA). She says she ices down the injection site for 3-6 minuets before her shot. I tried it, and it does seem to help.

Steve
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