When I was injecting MTX and drawing it up myself, I was using a 29 gauge needle. The higher the number, the smaller the needle. Now, depending on what you are injecting, it may dictate the gauge of the needle. Then the length of the needle matters. Are you doing intra-muscular or subcutaneous injections?

You are going to have to get a separate script for the syringes, or at least, I did. Tell your doctor you want the smallest needle that will still get the job done or you could just end up with whatever general purpose needle they choose.

How did it turn out? It sounds like you scored a med change.

No med change yet, since I got today, but I expect one, and I don't want to be give "general" needles. I wanted to know what I should ask for. This is perfect...

After my pharmacy gave me the wrong size, I started buying syringes on line. The quality is fine, and now I have the size I prefer. Kimhurts spelled it out clearly: you need to know if you're doing a sub cutaneous or muscular injection, and you need to know the right gauge for the med in question. It makes a world of difference to get the right one.

And that, my friends, is why I came here to ask...perfect answers. I will make sure I have that info and know what to ask for. Like subcutaneous MTX and then a biologic (I just don't know which one and how administered). I may end up doing both sub and intra.

I buy the diabetic size needle for mthx and it works wonderfully. I do not remember the last time I felt it go it.

As far as biologics, I had an autoinject once for Simponi, the most painful thing I have ever injected. I told my pharmacy I would only accept self inject after that.

I was on Kineret, a daily needle for 5 years. The needle was thick and so was the fluid, even after warming for 1/2 hour. BUT, it worked 100% with mthx, so I loved getting the shots, because I knew it was keeping me normal.

I’m on Orencia now and the needles are so annoying. They are spring loaded, and it takes me 2 hands to inject it. So no hand to hold the skin. They were not designed for people with hand damage due to RA.

Last week, I went to inject on my outside hip, and ran into a big bruise, so I quickly switched to the front of the leg, instead. Wel, I hit the bone, bent the needle and 1/2 the Orencia dribbled back out of the injection site. I seem ok, after one week, injection day is today.

The way I look at it, if poking myself a couple of times a week keeps me from having flares. Or even poking myself every day, like I did with Kineret and go about my life being normal. Diabetics have to inject all day long, so I guess we are doing well!

So far all those scoring at home, I was prescribed Humira once every other week, and now just have to wait for the insurance game to be played. It is on my formulary so I don't think it will be an issue. I will be given pre-filled syringes that are 29 gauge. We'll see how they work.

Also found out I have burtsitis in both hips and will be getting steroid injections for both soon - just need to find a time with my PCP can do it. Also found to have plantar fasciitis and that i also likely caused by the RA. Seems it has moved into my tendons now...so orthotics, PT, and stretching are in order. I will go back in three months for another check up. Labs were all great though CRP was climbing again - not out of normal range but at the very top of normal.

At the end of the day I was tired, sort from all the walking, and had to get a final blood test to make sure I don't have TB, so two needle sticks today.

So...we'll see how that works out once the insurance pans out.

Humira is excellent. I've been on it and low dose MTX for about 10 years. It was a game changer for me.

Stop fretting about the syringe needles for biologics. The syringe comes preloaded and it's automatic....you don't do a thing except put it next to your bunched up skin [I use the stomach] and press the red button.....and it does its thing.

This is going to be one of those things that, when it's done, you're going to say to yourself, "Why did I fuss over that?" I promise.

Not sure what your copay is for the Humira after your insurance kicks in. Humira has a "Financial Protection" plan available to anyone with non-government insurance....they'll cover all but $5 of your copay. No, you dont' have to show any financial need.

About the hip injections....are you SURE you want your PCP to do it? This is the kind of injection that is best left to experienced orthopedic surgeons who use guided imagery.....

May I ask.....who are you being treated by? Your PCP? If so, I STRONGLT urge you to get a referral to a board certified rheumatologist.

That sounds like progress. I went through plantar fasciitis and inflamed tendons last year. I ended up with steroid injections, ice packs and rest. Every time I thought it was good enough and I started walking normally, it got worse. You have to take that seriously or it will put you on your back.

Glad you got a biologic. Did they stop the MTX?

Let us know how it goes.

Kim, MTX remains, as does the Plaquenil and sulfsalazine. So I am on quite the cocktail now...well, as soon as the insurance is cleared up.

Lynn, I plan to find out more info on the $5 copay on Humira tomorrow when I do some research. I am getting preloaded syringes, so I do have to actually "inject" it. There will be no red button for me. I know that is an option, we decded to go this route.

And I am being treated by a Nurse Practictioner at the Mayo Clinic who specializes in Rheumatology, and also has access to and reviews notes with the Rheumatologists there. I am told that I do not need guided imagery for the bursitis steroid injections. I was kind of surprised by that. There are lots of orthopedic places around so I can always go there.

My PCP is there to offer supportive therapies for sleep, anxiety and pain. They work very closely with Mayo and are on board with every decision being made by my Rheumatology team. I feel like I am getting excellent treatment.