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What does Humira shots feel like?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/6/2010 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
If the Remicade I am on doesn't kick in soon, I know my doctor is going to probably switch me to Humira.  Problem is that I really really really hate needles.  I can tolorate a quick stab in the arm but to give myself one..let alone 2 or 3 at a time...I can't see myself doing it.

My question is, does Humira shots feel like a reagular needle?  I know it is a pen, but I have no clue what it feels like.  Also the thought of keeping it in me for a minute until it all goes in me really freaks me.  Can someone maybe walk me through the experience and let me know how it feels.  Thanks.

Posted 1/6/2010 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JavaJay,

A LOT of people are scared of needles. The pen makes it so that you don't see the needle part, ever. You'll feel a sting, it's not from the needle, it's from the Humira - and it does sting, but nothing you can't handle. I think it's a lot easier than watching a nurse put in an IV line.

Once you've done it the first time, I suspect you'll be fine. I didn't like needles much, then I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent). It took me over 30 mins to inject myself with insulin the first time, I just sat there, paralyzed. When I finally did it, I realized it wasn't a big deal.

Good luck with it!
Posted 1/6/2010 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
See...I think I am more scared of the sting.  Also..I know I am going to freeze up like you did with your first diabetic shot.  I know I will sit there staring at it for at least an hour...and I will have my wife complaining about it all the time telling me to suck it up and just do it blush
Posted 1/6/2010 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
But, they will send a Humira nurse to your house to help you with your first dose. She will probably offer to do the first one for you and then make you do the second.

The sting isn't that bad, it only lasts a few seconds. Worse than a nettle-sting, but much, much less than a bee-sting.
Posted 1/6/2010 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am still hoping the Remicade will work for you. My husband too had a few ups and downs with the Remicade (a few off days here and there), but it has done well for him. So, I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for you, and hoping you will have a lasting remission soon.

But if you do have to do the Humira, do you think you can just ask your wife to do the injection? I am pretty wimpy when it comes to needles as well, and I remember when I had to take some shots at home, my husband had to do it for me. I'd just close my eyes, and he'd just do it - it was much better than trying to poke myself (that just wasn't happening). I also have similar problems with eye drops, just can't keep my darned eyes open, I need my husband to hold my eyes wide open and drop them in. :-D My hubby finds it easier to just do it, instead of trying to talk me into doing it . . . because it takes forever, and I am still too much of a wimp to actually do it!

Hopefully the remicade will do the job for you.

PV
Posted 1/6/2010 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
I am more hesitant with the regular needle on the Cimzia than I was with pushing the button on Humira.  Humira stings bad, but it's over in 10 seconds (the longest 10 seconds ever).  You can premedicate, ice the injection site, let the Humira warm up, squeeze the injection site fat first, all of the tricks and some of them really do help, but it will still sting.  It was worth the sting for keeping my Crohn's in remission, don't get me wrong, but it still really hurts for a shot.  As far as being scared of needles, you don't even see the needle with Humira, so it doesn't have the same effect as a normal shot or as giving yourself a Cimzia injection.   
Posted 1/6/2010 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
It does not feel anything like a needle, just a tiny prick in the tummy and very little pain.
The needle is so small that you can hardly see it.

The pens are easy to use and I am more afraid of the sound the pen makes then the actual shot hehe
Posted 1/6/2010 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I HATED the pen and refused to use them after they mistakingly sent me a box. Hurt way worse than the regular ol shot.

I used to be terrified of shots and refused shots whenever possible. Until I went on Humira and had no choice. Even after 2 years of being on it, I still freaked myself out each time but it really wasn't a big deal. The pen was much more painful plus I had no control over it. I much preferred the less painful shot that I could completely control instead. You could always try both and see which you prefer.

The medication itself burns, but the needle is tiny and you can't really feel it go in.
Posted 1/6/2010 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
If you take it straight from the cold fridge, and inject it, then it hurts pretty bad, about like a wasp sting.

If you let the liquid warm up, and reach room temp. it doesn't hurt much.
Posted 1/6/2010 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
VIDEO

www.humira.com/RheumatoidArthritis/AdministeringHumira/Default.aspx
Posted 1/6/2010 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
If your talking about the pen.. I think it hurts like hell.. some weeks it hurts less then others... ? I have no idea why.. the days it hurts more I feel more tired, and weeze.. not dizzy but glazed over.. this is when i just go to bed.
WHat i do is freeze myself 20-30 mins before I do the inject, I find it helps a lot more. If your skinny like me, don't even bother doing it in the stomach.. that is the worse pain ever. If it still hurts I'll put the ice pack back on it for another 5 to 10.
Good luck xoxo
Posted 1/6/2010 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
The pens definitely sting for some seconds after pressing the button. Using ice minimizes the swelling and stinging. Always better to take the shot warm as others have stated. I have had some bruising around the injection site, but nothing major. Well, aside from them really not working anymore.
Posted 1/6/2010 10:11 PM (GMT 0)

I was really neverous about giving myself a shot also. Definitly do your first dose of Humira at your doctor's office. My first time the pen malfunctioned causing the medicane to go everywhere instead of in me. The office called Humira and got me a free one, but if I was at home that would be a different story. It's also comforting knowing that a nurse is there to answer any questions your first time also. Always let the pen stay out for about an hour or so unless it stings even worse. Hope I was of help. Good Luck!

Diagnosed 4 months ago

Humira twice a month

vitamin

Posted 1/6/2010 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
i just had my first shots last week.. its totally not the needle - its the sting of the med. the nurse did all 4 shots for me - i chickened out, but will give myself the next 2 next week. i iced down for 20min and the med was at room temp - well, room temp of a docs office - which is always cold. the pharmacist from the infusion pharmacy where i got the med said that you could also hold it to bring it to body temp - i am going to try to do that next time. the 2 in the belly and 1 in the leg hurt about the same and the last one in my leg hurt a lot. i also have very little fat - but more on my belly than thigh. the nurse says all their pts prefer to do their shot in the belly. also - both my thighs bruised and not my belly. and the nurse said you hold the plunger down for 10secs before removing. those 10 secs sucked for me. but it only hurts for those 10 secs - the sting quickly subsides. i am still nervous about giving myself the shots, even though i give my self b12shots every 2 weeks.
good luck.. some people say they dont feel the burn at all - i hope you are one of those people! :)
Posted 1/7/2010 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
I too just had my first shots (pen) last week. It wasn't that bad, the nurse gave mr the first one in my stomach and the next one in my leg. The leg hurt the worst and she said most patients prefer the leg. Not me!
I then gave myself the next two shots (pen)1 in the stomach and the next one in the leg. Wow! that last one in the leg really hurt for some reason. I will be giving my injections in my stomach from now on.
The pain was like a bee sting and was gone soon after. You can do it!
Posted 1/7/2010 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
Homeboy, I'm on remicade thank goodness after watching the video I almost puked lol. How come I knew immediately which of the ladies was going to be injected? One didn't look very happy thats why! I hate needles and somehow I think I'm going to end up on Humera. God has a sence of humor!
Posted 1/8/2010 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on Humira for 3 1/2 years. I have only used the syringes...I admit, I am a control freak and it seems to me that there would be more control with the syringes than the pens? But not sure, since I haven't tried them.

As a long time user, my best advice is to take them out of the fridge to room temp, ice up the injection area real good, and inject them SUPER slow!! When my husband injects too fast it hurts like heck. Maybe I am just a baby, but typically an easy injection takes about 5 minutes. He also pinches another area of my skin, close to the injection site (I think it helps get my mind off of the site that the needle is in...and it works). I also apply ice as soon as he pulls the needle out of the injection site (this also helps with not having any bruising). Best of luck!

Posted 1/8/2010 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
just another 2 cents worth...I am now on Cimzia and a nurse comes by and does the injections...

I was on Humira for about 18 months or more. I hate shots... can't stand the sight of a needle... get dizzy and at times have passed out from blood draws. BUT... I was able to give myself the shots by using the pens...never would have thought I could do it, but because I travel so much I was not able to have my wife give me the shots when I needed them...so one night by myself in a Hotel room I did it. I used the pens because I knew I would hesitate with the syringes... doe sit hurt more? Don't know.....even the loading doses were with the pen.

I am still shy about needles...still can't watch a blod draw and still get woozy during many of them.... but doing the pen in the stomach or thigh was no problem.
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