Had MY 1ST HUMIRA TNF INJECTION yesterday !

[papillons]

"Tales from my first Injection Day"

Well well, the day came round pretty quick - Nurse came to show me how to do it. I had chosen to start with the Pre-Filled PEN.

She talked through the side effects and travel information about it, showed me how to check the BB date and that the medicine wasnt frozen etc.
We got it out of the fridge 15/20mins before (she was an hour late so good job i put it back in the fridge or would have been wasted)

She told me not to use the Alcohol wipe that came with it as its like putting TCP on a spot or open cut it makes it sting all the more (experience had taught her this with people) - she said i was clean so it would be fine - had i of been working in a coal pit all day, no she would make me wash the area first.
We chose a bit on my tummy, 3cm away from my tummy button.
She held it against my skin whilst i pressed the plunger and kept the pressure on it with one hand and grabbed my skin with the other (you need to be an octopus - i guess i will learn how to do it all with 2 hands in time or my otherhalf can assist)

She said it might sting a bit ............ but it didnt

IT STUNG A WHOLE LOT

no i am not a whimp - it was just more than i expected to be honest - it wasnt the actually needle being shot into me when i pressed the plunger that hurt i dont think - as the sting built up and up as the medicine was going in so i think it was the stuff which was stinging me until it had all gone into my skin. I expected the needle to sting not the stuff inside and 40mg is a fair bit to go in i guess.

It soon stopped stinging quite so much after a few mins of it being done, bled a tiny bit so had to nip and get a tissue.
I chose to do it in my tummy area and its been fine over night - no rash or redness/lump but it is a little sore especially as i sleep laying on one side and it was pressing on the bed a bit last night. And as i sit at the computer desk now its rubbing on my jeans belt line so its making it a little sore (remind self to wear soft jogging bottoms next time)

On the whole - it was ok though and i think i can manage it at home fine - it did hurt more than i thought it would but i dont know what i expected - but i did remember someone on here saying her nurse had truthfully told her it would sting a lot and not to jump (and i remembered that in my head which helped)

I am sure i wont look forward to the next one in 2wks BUT if it starts to show some signs of improving my health, then i know i will NOT MIND doing it at all, it will be all worth it ...... 5mins of trouble for a chance at getting my life back seems nothing ...

I dont feel any different today (had it 5pm last night)

but its early days ........... so i now wait in hope

I would recommend if your just about to start on it to get your Flu and Pneumonia Jabs done first - i felt that was a much better way around to do it and worth me posponing it a week as made me feel alot more at ease as if i get a cold i can get a chest infection easy as chest ligaments get affected just like the other ones.

I now have to weigh up risks of infection with if it makes me feel good - wanting to spend every waking hour outside doing all the stuff i cant normally do ......... and i have to keep an eye on what i eat but the restrictions list is all stuff i wouldnt eat anyway.
My Mum is already worried to come near me if she has a cold - think i just have to take it sensibly but not worry too much ......

I am glad to report i have had no headaches or sickness feelings - no tiredness - nothing - i just feel the same as i did yesterday before it ...... whether things will change when i have a few more i dont know so will have to wait and see !

I will keep this post updated on how i go for others who maybe considering starting Anti TNF drugs

[[ Background info - had Ankylosing Sponderlytis for probably 20years but was only diagnosed properly in 2007 ....... I had to stop work about 7 years ago and havent been back since. I am 33 now . I have just applied for DLA this year and got it after being turned down last time i applied.
I have been on Sulphsalazine drugs up till now and morphine patches and amytriptaline - but the sulphasalazine hasnt helped me at all - helps my Ulcerative Colitis a bit though. I have lost quality of life and if this drug works, even with the risks, it will be well worth it ]]

[Ronnied]

Hi Papillons,

Well done on the first injection. I started Humira in Sept and did my fourth injection last week. Waiting to see consultant next week to see whether to carry on. Doing the injections is a bit daunting, but gets better. Be interested to see how you get on. Just wanted to say well done, and good luck. Ronnie

[papillons]

Hi Ronnie, thanks for that. Have you had any improvements yet - guess a month in means still time (2-12 weeks)

Not sure how i will be on my next one when she isnt here and i really alone.

[Ronnied]

Morning,

Don't worry about doing it alone, I found it better. I decided to do it straight away first thing in the morning to get it out of the way. Without the nurse looking at you you can take your time, and pull faces, etc it really isnt too bad. I alternated legs and stomach, and to be honest the stomach was the most stingy, the legs are better. Having said that, they have told me to stop this week until I see the consultant, because I have terrible muscle spasms at the moment, and they think it may be the Humira, well the nurse did, but I spoke to my gp and he said it could just be my arthritis causing the spasms. So really cant wait to see what consultant says. Yes, I did notice it working almost straight after the second injection. I found I could walk better without so much stiffness. So I really want to carry on with Humira. The only thing I have noticed not so promising is that my hair is thinning, but I am in my fifties and from your post I think you are quite young, so that shouldnt be a problem. I wish you luck, dont worry about the injections, just think they are making you better. Ronnie

[papillons]

Originally Posted by Ronnied

Morning,

Don't worry about doing it alone, I found it better. I decided to do it straight away first thing in the morning to get it out of the way. Without the nurse looking at you you can take your time, and pull faces, etc it really isnt too bad. I alternated legs and stomach, and to be honest the stomach was the most stingy, the legs are better. Having said that, they have told me to stop this week until I see the consultant, because I have terrible muscle spasms at the moment, and they think it may be the Humira, well the nurse did, but I spoke to my gp and he said it could just be my arthritis causing the spasms. So really cant wait to see what consultant says. Yes, I did notice it working almost straight after the second injection. I found I could walk better without so much stiffness. So I really want to carry on with Humira. The only thing I have noticed not so promising is that my hair is thinning, but I am in my fifties and from your post I think you are quite young, so that shouldnt be a problem. I wish you luck, dont worry about the injections, just think they are making you better. Ronnie

Hi Ronnie thanks for that reply. Yes I am 33 (34 next month and will be a nice Birthday pressy if i feel better as my next injection is before my Birthday)
Strangly enough i have has more muscles spasms this month before the jab and i know its to do with the damp wet cold weather as it happens each winter - my joints get more ceased up and thats when it happens.
Hopefully it wont be your humira or if it is they can give you some meds to counteract it so you can keep going with it.

I am wondering about trying it in my thigh and see if it stings less as the DVT injection i had in the hosp stang just the same in my tummy so maybe my body just doesnt like it there. I have nothing to loose i guess - i can experiment a bit more when the nurse isnt here, i can relax and try different things.
My next injection will be the 10th Nov.
I must admit the bit of my tummy is still sore from it - think its a bit bruised, if i do it on my leg it wont catch each time i bend forward.
Hope you go on ok at the hosp