Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I see that Enbrel is now available in pre-filled syringes. I wish I had known that before I recently ordered my three month supply of the auto injectors. Those are mean!
I thought I would mention a few things that have helped me with my injections.
1. Since I was in the military many moons ago, I remember counting cadence (left, left, left, right, left). I use that to help me remember which leg to inject each week. The injectors come four to a box, so as long as I remember "left, right, left," I will remember which leg to inject each week, based on the number left in the box.
2. I have found that letting the injector sit out for 45 minutes before injecting is ideal in terms of the least amount of pain.
3. I always take 50 mg of Benadryl at the same time I take the injector out of the refrigerator. That keeps the swelling and itchiness down.
4. I know everyone's skin color is different, but mine is fairly light, so if I look closely, I can see if there are any little veins below the surface. Obviously, you want to avoid those, as they cause a "bloody mess" if hit. Also, I look for a spot between pores. It seems if you can get the needle between pores, it really helps in terms of pain.
So far, these Enbrel injectors are the meanest I have experienced. Humira's weren't half as bad, and I could barely feel the Orencia pre-filled syringes. Now that Enbrel has pre-filled syringes, I am going to see if I can get those for my next prescription.
I thought I would mention a few things that have helped me with my injections.
1. Since I was in the military many moons ago, I remember counting cadence (left, left, left, right, left). I use that to help me remember which leg to inject each week. The injectors come four to a box, so as long as I remember "left, right, left," I will remember which leg to inject each week, based on the number left in the box.
2. I have found that letting the injector sit out for 45 minutes before injecting is ideal in terms of the least amount of pain.
3. I always take 50 mg of Benadryl at the same time I take the injector out of the refrigerator. That keeps the swelling and itchiness down.
4. I know everyone's skin color is different, but mine is fairly light, so if I look closely, I can see if there are any little veins below the surface. Obviously, you want to avoid those, as they cause a "bloody mess" if hit. Also, I look for a spot between pores. It seems if you can get the needle between pores, it really helps in terms of pain.
So far, these Enbrel injectors are the meanest I have experienced. Humira's weren't half as bad, and I could barely feel the Orencia pre-filled syringes. Now that Enbrel has pre-filled syringes, I am going to see if I can get those for my next prescription.
I did a paid study on the auto injectors with the manufacturers - it was a lot of fun;.
i don't need any benadryl and that much would have me falling over - but if you do, good you have it.
ice first with an ice pack
i used a stickie on the fridge with the date and the word left or right next to the date.
depot
I had been using the Humira pre-filled syringes. With them I found that the Humira burned like battery acid no matter what temperature the medication was. I just got used to it and sucked it up each week for the injection.
With the Enbrel I found that if I let the auto injector sit out of the fridge for about 30 minutes before injecting there was no burn. Yay! I don't like how slow the auto injector is but it is not too bad.
I've only had two shots so far so no kind of reaction at the injection site yet. I do know that I feel terrible! I hurt all over and have no energy. I am hoping that it just needs more time to kick in. How long did it take for Enbrel to kick in for those of you on it?