Enbrel Shots

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2005
Enbrel Shots
11
Fri, 11-11-2005 - 12:43pm

Dear All,

I've been giving myself enbrel shots for 6 weeks now. I'm squeamish when it comes to needles but these shots really hurt too! I've been giving them to myself in my thigh (alternating sides). Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make it hurt less? Also, does it hurt more or less in the abdomen? It also takes me about 15 minutes to get up the nerve to do it. My husband is way too squeamish to help me. Any experiences or suggestions with the shots would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Fri, 11-11-2005 - 1:16pm

Hi!

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Fri, 11-11-2005 - 2:02pm

Hi!!

I'm no longer on Enbrel but I do take weekly Humira shots. The Humria shots sting!!! I used to have my roommate give them to me in the thigh. I would like the shot sit out and reach room temp. I've now started using my tummy. It doesn't seem to sting as badly and its easier for me to get the needle to go in.

I would suggest to be brave and try your tummy. You never know unless you try!!

Good luck!
Jen







iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2005
Fri, 11-11-2005 - 2:39pm

Welcome to this board. I have been on Enbrel for 5 years, off and on. I am EXTREMELY afraid of needles. My husband gives me the injections. I start to cry and shake and I just can't do it. He had no choice! I was told that it is better to alternate with 4 sites. So one week, I do the left arm, then the right arm, the following week is left thigh, then right thigh. I do the twice a week injections. Do not use the same spot on your thigh all the time. You must move the spot around, because it can get calloused and very hard to get the needle in. I do use my stomach once in a while. You inject about an inch down below the belly button and to one side of it about an inch or so. It sounds terrible, I know, but relax your tummy and it really doesn't hurt as much. I have never gotten a bruise or welt there.

Molly mentioned a few things. She is right. Let that alcohol dry completely. I let the vial of Enbrel sit for about 10 minutes before injecting. Make sure you are injecting at a 45 degree angle and inject slowly. If you are having allergic reactions, like a lump or welts, my rheumy has told me to take a Benadryl the day before and the day of the injection. It does help. If my husband remembers to push the Enbrel in slowly, I don't get such a lump. Sometimes he gets in a hurry! I hope some of this helps. One thing I can say is that the Enbrel has helped me very much and at one time, I was in an 8 month remission without meds!

Good luck,
Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 11-11-2005 - 2:43pm

Hi!

I've been injecting Enbrel for a few years now, and although I don't like giving myself a shot, I've finally figured out how to make it hurt a little less. I always let it sit out at room temp for 30 minutes (which is what they recommend). Like you, I inject in my thighs. I use a blue ice pack and put it on the injection site for about a minute, then I take my shot and put the alcohol on afterwards. I know that's not how you're suppose to do it, but I've found that if I put the alcohol on first, it really stings. Also, the angle of the shot makes a huge difference. It's been a lot of trial and error, but this method really works well for me. Many here take their injections in their stomach without any problem, but I'm just too chicken to try it! Hope this helps. Good luck!

Barb

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2005
Fri, 11-11-2005 - 3:27pm
Thank you all very much for your helpful suggestions and support! Its been a tough few months since I gave birth and had a huge flare-up right afterwards although the prednisone has been a miracle drug for me and Enbrel is hopefully a way out of taking the Prednisone.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 11-13-2005 - 9:47am
hi! The ONLY place I find the actual shot to not hurt is the abdomen. The arms and thighs I find very painful. Nurse told me we have less nerves in the abdomen. I use the once a week shot and the actual medication stings NO MATTER what I do, but the needle going on does not hurt. I also ice the area beforehand. Hope this helps!
Avatar for dfyrabnd
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 3:20am

Here's my No Pain Enbrel program: let the syringe sit out at room temp about 20-25 minutes, depending on room temp. Make sure the needle is pointing the right way...there is a bevel edge to the needle, the sharp end should be on the lower edge when you inject at a 45 degree angle. I ALWAYS inject into my stomach now and it doesn't hurt if I inject slowly. I don't ice up first, definitely use the alcohol first and let it dry. No matter how I tried it always hurt and left a bruise when injected in my thigh so I gave up on that long ago.

Oh, BTW, I have lots of fat on my stomach so maybe that makes a difference but from what I've heard from others it's almost pain free. Interesting note: my rheumy was surprized to know that it really stung when injected in my thigh. Said no one else had complained. How could they not???? It really hurts there.

So remember...let it sit out to take the chill off, let the alcohol dry, correct angle on the needle, inject slowly INTO THE TUMMY. Piece of cake. Good luck. Diane

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 5:22am

Great post Dianne. I myself just shove it in whether it hurts or not, I figure a little jab twice a week far out-weighs the pain of my flares.

I have noticed it does not hurt or only minimal in the tummy.
I have noticed my thigh injections do sting more...have had the odd..hit the spot and back out at the last minute..attempts
I also leave the solution to warm to room temp.
I also use the alchol swab which is included to reduce the risk of injection site infection.
I dont rub the site post injection.
What I didnt know ( or did but have forgotten at some point)was that direction of the bevel edge could make a difference, I shall remember this for next jabbing day. I wonder if this accounts for the times I bruise and bump up to the injections when I dont ? I shall have to do my own little audit on injection site reactions in relation to bevel position.

I must say I get a bit blaze, the other day I dropped something when I had just popped the needle in my tummy..well I just bent over to get it with the needle still in..I WONT be doing that again. Lell

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2003
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 9:57am
I don't inject Enbrel yet (have a feeling it might be in my future), but I am about to start MTX injections and now I am really nervous. I don't do needles well at all. I have my first one this Friday. DH is going with me to learn so that maybe he can do it for me, if I chicken out on doing myself. I am starting to think I may not be able to do this.
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 12:55pm
((((((((((((((((( Bethie ))))))))))))))), you're doing everything right, hon.

Molly

Pages