Might be too late but...

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Might be too late but...
12
Wed, 08-31-2005 - 8:36pm

I thought I would stop by and ask for some hoppers tonight. Last week I had my roomie (roommate) give me my Humira injection as always but I freaked out!! Before she pulled out the needle I was screaming for her to stop. I don't know why but lately its just been so hard to take the shot. I usually give myself my MTX injection right before the Humira and I'm always mostly fine with that one.

My thighs are becoming hard to get the needle into. Do you build up scar tissue? I do move the location around but its just getting ridiculous!! And she won't give it to me in my tummy so I have to do that myself and I freak about that too.

Steph (my roomie) and Patrick always tell me I'm so calm about it when I get the injection but on the inside I'm going crazy!! Last week was just the first week it ever actually got the best of me.

Please bring lots of booze... I'll need it!!!

Smiles, Jen







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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2005
Wed, 08-31-2005 - 10:52pm

(((((((((Jen))))))))))) I know what you are talking about. Sometimes, I just can't handle the shot. I know you can develop scar tissue and it makes it hard to push the needle in. I haven't had that problem, yet. My dh gives me the Enbrel injection and we use the sides and top of my thigh, my arms, and my tummy. I hate the tummy, it is just gross to think of it. Usually, I don't feel a thing there. I do have to sit up though, so there is something for Jim to grab onto. He tried with me laying down, there was no fat to shoot into.

So, use your tummy every other time. I will be in your pocket, you won't be alone. You can do this, take a deep breath, tell yourself it isn't that bad. If you get overwhelmed, wait till tomorrow for the shot. I have done this many times.

Let me know how it goes.
Hugs,
your board momma

Avatar for beviej
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 5:45am
((((((((Jen))))))))) I hope you made it!!! If this helps any. I was a nurse and gave hundreds if not thousands of shots when I worked. But when it came to me giving myself the MTX inj I freaked everytime.Because of the shortage of the injectable all last yr I wnet back on the oral and have not had a problem with it. So for now I am going to stay on that.And yes you most certainly can build up scar tissue.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 6:17am

Dear Jen, ( I am clocking on as a nurse here, so perhaps I may be able to give you a bit of help with this) I have sat and had a cup of coffee whislt I considered your little problem, ( feel free by all means to disregard it if you like. )
You fear could be getting a little body-image related so that with each injection you are thinking of your skin results and developing a little freaking out fear along the way, and since you are getting your friends to give your injections you would rather not handle the syringe and inject it your self but you do it under duress.

When I first started on the enbrel I just couldnt comprehend giving myself a needle, even though I have given a billion of the things to other people over the yrs, So to counteract my initial fear I just put my mind into "work" mode, which was...... I was so confident with my handling of syringes that I was just drawing up and giving with no actual emotions attached to it, just a job to do.

Try doing this for a few days or weeks.
next time you have an empty ampolue and syringe dont throw them out, just refill the amp with a bit of water, draw it up, and inject into a firm bit of foam or an orange. refill amp. take out needle, put in needle, draw water all back, inject into orange or whatever,refill amp. keep doing this over and over for a few days or weeks until it just becomes second nature to you handling the syringe and needle. Practise your angle of injection so it is going in subcutaneous. Do it slowly. and also do it quickly, just practise practise practise practise practise and practise. Do this until getting the amp ready and injecting becomes second nature to you and it is just a job or chore that you are doing and you have no emotion attached to it.

I have taught diabetics this way who also face a life time of injecting insulin on a daily if not 2 or 3 times a day basis.

Fear can just stop you in your tracts and get out of control, so give this a try, you have nothing to loose except a bit of time. I suspect if you are confident in handling the little syringe and needle and become confident in injecting under the skin of a little orange, then you will have the power and the confidence to be able to give yourself your treatment and be YOU WILL BE 100% in control, because you are just doing a job, and your fear will just go. Lell.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 11:33am

Oh how I can relate to what you're going through! Usually I just like to get my Enbrel injection over with, but lately I've been putting it off till the end of the day because I can't deal with it. One thing I've been doing lately that really takes the sting out is not using the alcohol first, but after I inject. I know this isn't the way you're suppose to do it, but I figure as long as I'm putting it on at some point I'm okay. I'm too chicken to inject in my stomach, only my thighs. There's been times when I've done a perfect shot, and other times when I just miss the mark or don't hold the needle at the right angle and it hurts like heck.

As much as I hate giving myself a shot, I know how much it helps me. Hang in there and I hope you get over this hurdle.

Barb

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2005
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 1:06pm

Lell, what great advice you gave to Jen. I have never given myself an Enbrel injection, my dh has to do it. I have always had a deathly fear of needles. I am going to try the "orange injection practice" and maybe I will be able to conquer my fear. Thank you, thank you, thank you sooooo muuuuuuuccchhh!!

Hugs,
Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 3:05pm

(((((((((((((( Jen ))))))))))))))), it's never too late for hoppers!

Molly

Avatar for scootrn2
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 7:00pm

HI TO ALL OF YOU WHO DON'T LIKE GIVING YOURSELF AN INJECTION ON YOUR TUMMY.


I JUST COMPLETED GIVING MYSELF FORTEO INJECTIONS DAILY FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS.


LIKE THE OTHER RN'S HERE, I GAVE THOUSANDS OF INJECTIONS TO PATIENTS, BUT FREAKED WHEN I FOUND OUT I WOULD HAVE TO DO IT TO MYSELF.

  

&nb

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 8:36pm
Thanks board momma!!! I chickened out last night. My roomie forgot and I didn't remind her. Tonight she won't be home till after I'm gone so tomorrow it is. I can't wait past tomorrow.






iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 8:38pm
Hey Bev, I wish I could go back on the pill but I got way to sick. My tummy just couldn't handle it and I also developed a cough that didn't go away. The injectable just works better.






iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 8:41pm

Lell, you are the best. I can't thank you enough for your advice. I've NEVER practiced giving an injection on anything but myself. My first time my rhemy just shoved the needle at me and said do it. Never once did she tell me to practice first.

So, on my next trip to the store I will be picking up a couple or oranges and Steph and I are going to practice!!

Thanks again!!!
Jen







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