Posted 9/16/2015 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi raspberryapple,
I have had CD for 24 yrs, never once in remission due to either being allergic or non-responsive to the oral meds, pred only helped the first time I went on it for the first 2 weeks, the other 4 times I was on it, it did nothing so I flared moderately at times but mostly severe for 23 yrs until I went on Humira last yr (this yr is 24 yrs of being a crohnie) I ended up developing a recto-vaginal fistula late 2013, passing just gas via my vagina, couldn't get in to see my GI for a few months then he started me on Humira after he scoped me first and sent me for an MRI to confirm my RV fistula.
I had a GP do my first 4 loading doses because everyone was concerned with my poor history with IBD meds in case I had a bad reaction, it was fine, no reaction, then 2 weeks later for my second loading dose of 2 pens they sent a nurse to my house to teach me how to do my shots on myself, she was excellent, it was better that she had me do them in front of her rather than her do them for me.
I let my pen warm up to room temperature first to cut down on the stinging pain that the med can cause going in. I wipe the area (I do it in my thigh, alternating each time I do my shot, I'm on them weekly now rather than biweekly) with the alcohol wipe, pinch the skin of the area I'm going to inject, hold the pen firmly at a 90 degree angel as directed in the pamphlet that comes in the Humira kit (which you should be getting as well and it has a practice pen in the kit, no needle is in the practice pen, it's just to help you get familiar with the pens) holding the pen so you can easily see the yellow indicator in the window of the pen, inject and don't let go of the top part you push down on to extend the needle into your skin, hold the pen for 10 seconds while watching the yellow indicator reach all the way down, which takes 10 full seconds and not letting go until it's stopped moving. the yellow indicator in the window isn't visible until you inject which is the point to help guide you how long you have to push the top button of the pen down. Then I quickly put a small cotton ball on it and push down (don't rub) firmly but not crazy hard, to stop any possible slight bleeding from the needle, about 5 minutes does the trick, sometimes the area will be red or swell a bit at or near the injection sight, this is normal and it will go away after a bit of time. It's that easy, I don't like needles either, you don't see the needle unless you look for it under the sleeve the needle is in (you won't see it in the practice pen at all since it's just a practice pen) so if I can do these injections, anyone can cuz I freak out about doing things like that wrong as well.
Humira put my crohn's colitis (CD affecting the colon) in remission fairly quick, but I have IBS as well, wasn't sure if it was my IBS or still flaring so just before I went in for a second scope to check on my inflammation I asked my GI to up me to weekly and he did and still wants me to stay on it weekly cuz I was such a tough case to treat. It also closed up the inflamed fistula tract so it definitely works for me.
The only side effect I've had was horrible headaches but I found out that taking an antihistamine before bed, the day I do my shots (every Wednesday actually so I'll be doing it in a couple of hours as usual) that has kept the horrid Humira headaches at bay.
Yes, soon after you do your shot you can carry on with business as usual. Some people will ice the area to stop the pain from the needle going in, it's just a pinch for 10 seconds so I don't bother, others will use a numbing cream that you put on a while before the injection then use the alcohol wipes but I don't bother cuz it's just a pinch.
Just make sure you hold the pen straight (90 degree angel) pinch the area so that you don't hit an artery or anything, don't inject into scars, blemishes, birthmarks, etc and remember to continue pushing down on the top part that releases the needle, if you let go it will stop administering the med and the med will leak all over on you not get in you. Pinch the area the whole time you're injecting don't let go of your pinched skin until you let go of the spring loaded push button at the top of the pen. Read the instructions over and over to familiarize yourself with proper directions, in case you get a nurse that is a bit clueless about the injection pens, sadly that does happen.
Good luck and don't be scared, it's 10 seconds of discomfort but letting the pen warm up to room temp cuts way down on the sting and it's nothing compared to the pain of IBD.