Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications injecting Humira myself?

I have to take my shot tonight. Every time I have to have an injection I have someone different do it for me. I know that is probably not the safest thing to do. I have tried to do it myself but the medication hurts! Once I feel it, I can't seem to go through with it. I have had to have replacements sent because I have messed up with injections. I need some pointers on doing it yourself.
Thank you
-Kelly

Hi Kelly.
I know the shot can be painfull were are you injecting in stomach or thigh. I had a missed one when it hurt so much I jumped and pulled the needle out.When I took it on Sunday I sat with my feet up so my muscles were relaxed in my legs and done it in my thigh and hardly felt a thing might be worth you trying that way just take a deep breath and go for it but dont release untill its all gone in. If you only manage to inject part of it dont do another shot as you will overdose Good luck let me know how it goes.
Kevin

Hi Kelly,

Doing injections yourself can be tricky. I always seem to put some kind of happy music on before I do it ....maybe take a few deep breaths before hand - I find the more tense you are the more it hurts. I tend to inject in my stomach - I also find this hurts less than my thigh. Grab a bit of excess stomach and slowly but firmly put the needle in (try not to think about it too much) and then very slowly push down. The quicker you push down I also find the more it hurts. I think the key is to relax and remember to breath ...which is easier said than done at times.

Good luck with it.

Let us know how it goes.

Lee

I have been on Enbrel and now Humira and they both hurt.. I think the Humira hurts a little worse.. I know what you are saying I was doing really good and just dealing with the short burst of pain and now I have gone a week and 2 days over when I should take it b/c I just can't get myself to do it.. last time my husband had to hit the button.. I do think Enbrel auto injector works better than Humira.. in fact two doses in a row were wasted (UGHGHH $$$$) the first time I hit the button over the kitchen table and it went off and the table got it all and the second I jumped from the pain and wasted on my thigh and floor.. Don't like Humria going to talk to the Doc about another option on the 13th.. It is not going to do me any good if I won't take it as prescribed

Hi Tamara,
I concurr. Humira hurts worse than Embrel. I have the nurse at work do the humira injection in my arm. Doctor suggested I ice the spot, but I forget each time. I tried when on embrel, to inject myself and also found it hard - stomach was easier.

I've had really good results so far on humira. Thank God.

So the nurse does one arm and the next time the other. No legs or stomach.I also tuck the syringe into my shirt for about an hour before injection to warm it up. Colder hurts even more.

I'm due the 5th for the next injection, I will try to remember to ice it and let you know my results.

Take care,
Lucy

HeyHey... I only did them a few times but just grabbed a bit of my belly... like pinch an inch if you've got it... then quick jab at a bit of an angle..... keep the bit pinched and use your thumb to plunge the crazy juice into ya... do this as SLOWLY as possible..... fast equals hurts.... So basically what Lee said but in Rob talk..... haha... Hope it goes ok Kelly... ; )

Hi Kelly,

My tips:

Leave the syringe out at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.

I prefer the stomach to the thigh. Sometimes, it actually doesn't hurt at all when injecting in the stomach (for me).

I take it extremely slowly. So slow, I can keep watching TV while I slowly apply pressure. It eventually breaks the skin (most times with no pain).

Wriggle your toes while it is happening.

Then do a nice slow push down - again, no rush at all.

Hope that helps!!!

James

Oh yes I forgot to mention if you live IN a town that has a nurse affiliated with the board of health, they do it for free and perhaps can help you learn to self inject.

That's who does it for me, but I'm lucky to work in the office next door.

Lucy

Well...I chickened out! I had a friend do it this morning. I guess I will try again next time. I called the nurses station at my doctors office they said they could not do it for me, so I reverted back to my buddies. For some reason they don't mind sticking me. Weird? I have had my mom do it before but she is to emotional. Humira has a video on how to do it and I have watched it several times. I just can't bring myself to do it.
Thanks for the advise anyway.
_Kelly

Oh Kelly, I know how you feel. Just can't do it.

I'm surprised at the nurse's reply. Have you spoke directly to your Dr. - wouldtgat help? My GP offered to have the injection given there too eventhough the rheumy prescribed the humira - I hope you find some other solution.

Lucy