Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group How do you prepare yourself for TNF injections

I found that the auto injector was much worse, pain-wise, than the regular syringe. Does Humira have a choice? In any case, once you get more used to it, your apprehension will likely pass. I never used the stomach, though, only legs. Did find that moving slightly off center--towards the outer side of the thigh (if a cross section of thigh--would be around 11 o'clock)--this was MUCH less painful that doing it immediately on front of thigh. You'll find it easier as time goes by.

When I was on Humira I would ice the injection site prior to injection. I am on Simponi now, and it doesn't sting as much so I don't bother icing anymore.
When I first started injections, we have a family friend that is a nurse, so I would go over to her house where I could be comfortable and relax and have her supervise the injection.
I've never had any issues with needles so I also opted for the pre-filled syringe rather than the injection pen. I had practiced with one of the test pens, and even though I knew when I was pressing the button, the clicking would make me jump. I also like being able to control the speed of the medicine being injected.
I also like to joke when I have to talk to people about having to give myself injections. I raised sheep for a couple years and we would have to give them shots from time to time, so now when people are amazed that I am able to give myself injections, I reply with, "It's a lot easier giving myself a shot than giving one to a lamb!"

Thanks EngineeringGirl. I've always been curious about icing the site of injection. My rheumatologist is strongly against it for some reason but many people recommend it.

Had my third injection today and it literally took me 2 hours sitting down with my eyes closed, holding the pen to my stomach and listening to my music. I don't know why I get so psyched out about the process but I had to skip a class at school because I just couldn't bring myself to pushing the button. Once I did eventually manage to press it, I almost pulled it out straight away in reaction. Luckily I managed to control my reactions...

Another interesting thing happened today. I got the first pen all ready to go and I stupidly and clumsily hit the button by mistake and lost all of the fluid in that pen. A very expensive mistake and I am so embarrassed about that. Is it something that you contact the pharmacist about? I imagine that they wouldn't refund that dose.

You should let your rheumatologist (or whoever wrote the script for it) know that you lost a dose in that way. Otherwise you will end up one short, and may not get your next supply in time. With it being an expensive drug, they will probably be accounting for how many doses you actually get in a year, and if you don't let them know you messed up one they probably won't give you the extra to replace it. I'm sure they will understand. I don't think it really has anything to do with the pharmacist, as they don't write the script.

If you are still having problems giving yourself the injection, had you thought about asking a friend or relative to do it for you for a little while? Once the positive effects of it really kick in, it will give you a lot more incentive then to bite the bullet and just do it yourself. The other way would be to really try to blank out and not think too much about it - just go straight from getting it out of the fridge, preparing it and shooting without waiting for the "right moment".