Auto injector pens definitely do burn, I think Enbrel might burn the worst of all of 'em. Stomach may be a little more comfortable than the thigh, give it a try.

Racerunner,
I'm not sure if it gets better or that you just get used to it, but yes, it stings.
I've done injections with nothing and then the next week back to the same sting. After almost 2 years, I still could not figure out what to do to stop that sting. There were many profanities that came out of my bathroom on Friday nights.
I never did try my stomach... I couldn't get past the thought of it stinging that bad there.
Best of Luck to you with the Enbrel, I hope the 20 seconds of ouch lead to better weeks after.
Kim

I think I'm just use to the sting now. Yep, it still hurts, but I put up with the 20 second sting 2x's/week because I don't want to feel the alternative! Good luck and I'm sure it will get better for you! Do you feel like it's working?

Julie

use up the auto injector pens, or now. but in the meantime ask for the pre filed syringes and do the injection with those.

1. you must ask your rheumie NOT the pharmacy, the prescription has to be done over and re-sent to the specialty pharmacy with it indicated pre filled syringe

2. the pre-filled syringes are injected by you at your own speed. i did them at work in my office with the door closed or at home alone. no pain. no discomfort. it's like the thinnest needle. the reason he injector hurts is the force and speed that it goes in whooooooooosh all at once fast and the size o the auto inject needle. i alternated thighs.

i am not a fan of any of the auto injector thingee doees. i had the fortune to participate in a trial/study on them.

depot

Take it out of the refrigerator for an hour before. It helps with the sting. You can technically have the enbrel pens at room temperature for up to 14 days now per the new guidelines. I only inject in my thighs, a few cm above my knee. I'm afraid to try my stomach :/ haha

Good luck! That has helped me deal with the sting.

Depot's on it- ditch the exploding pen! Unless you are physically or mentally unable to use the syringe, and it sounds like you were fine with them before, the syringes hurt much less, and for me, at least, are easier to use. I used the Enbrel syringes, and they were practically painless.

Making the change will entail everyone's favorite: paperwork! If you do want to make the switch, call your doc ASAP to get things changed before you get next month's supply.

I would try the Enbrel at the uppermost part of your thigh. The nurse told me it would sting much less there.

I was on Humira for 18 months before Enbrel and it was terrible. I had to do it when my kids were out of the house because of the expletives that came out of my mouth during the Humira injection.

With Enbrel, I feel the burn/sting but it's much more tolerable for me. I wonder if the placement makes that much of a difference (I have only done Enbrel at the very top of my thigh).

I know a lot of people swear by the stomach but I haven't been brave enough to try it!

Thanks everyone. I did use the upper part of my thigh about midway between knee and groin area. I may get the nerve to try the stomach. Owwweeeee. Hate these meds

First shot I took only had out of fridge for 30 mins - thought I was going to pass out from the burning. Next time I left it out of fridge for 3 hours - still burned but not as bad. I do my Enbrel on Saturday so this past week I took the pen out of fridge on Wednesday. I noticed a little burn for a sec or two at the very end of the shot but it was tolerable. Good luck.

the pre filled syrginges have no burn

Yeah, it's not fun, but I have been giving myself these shots for over 5 years. Sometimes it does not bother me, other times, yes, it's a sharp OUCH for 2-3 seconds. I just grin and bear it! I alternate the tops of my thighs each week. Hang in there, the next one may not hurt as much. I let the pen sit out for 30-40 minutes, then right before I inject, I rub my hand across my thigh very fast about 15 times. Kinda warm up the thigh I guess......