Hi there. I know it's scary having to give yourself shots, but if they help give you more mobility and less pain, then I know you can do it. I was in high school when I had to start giving myself shots. I've learned a few things over the years that I'd like to share...

1. Let the syringe fully warm up to room temperature. Depending on the medication, it can be left out all day or even overnight. Call the company that puts it out or your pharmacy to know for sure. The warmer it is, the less painful going in it will be.

2. The auto injectors are more painful than doing it at your speed. Most injections come both ways. I tried the auto injector once & screamed thru the injection because it was so painful. It doesn't have to be that way. You can ask your doctor to change the RX to the do-it-yourself version. That way you can control the speed of the solution going in to make the experience less painful. I also found I was less reluctant/anxious to do the shot after switching versions.

3. Allow plenty of time to do the shot. Don't be trying to rush out the door & think, now is a good time... It's not.

4. Tell others in your house when it's shot time. The injection sitesite cancbe be painful afterward so keep the fam informed so they can be more aware of avoiding the areas you use most.

5. Keep reaching out. Keep asking questions.

6. Know you're not alone.

7. You can do it!

I just started Enbrel Autoclick self injections 3 weeks ago. One of my biggest fears was giving myself the injection.... I thought I would have to have my husband do it. The first time it took me anlittle while to push the button becaise i was afraid ofnthebpain....i told myself that ALL the pain I have been living with, all the blood tests, all the Dr appointments....Surely I can press this little button and count to 15 AND I DID! So far I am happy with the results! It doesn't hurt much at all. I give myself the injection in my thigh.... Actually it has given me a bit of an empowered feeling....please let us know how it goes. YOU CAN DO THIS and WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU!

My Humira pen shot doesn't hurt me when used in thigh just a slight burn.

I have a needle fear (well not so much now due to injections & constant blood work) but due to the pain I had to try it. I started with Enbrel & it worked for a while, it was the auto kind & did hurt a bit but it was fast! Then when that stopped working I tried Humira but I found that every 2 weeks vs every week gave me an excuse to keep putting it off. I now do Orencia & it seems to work. This one is a regular syringe I do at my speed which is fine. I have a method to help me get through it cause it's still kinda scary for me. I ice the spot for about 15 minutes, slowly put the needle in (it's super fine & sharp so I don't feel it), then inject slowly. Pills alone never seemed to help, if the Orencia stops working I fear I'll have to do the infusions next which I AM NOT looking forward to. Good luck & I hope it helps!

I used the auto injector also and it is painful but I just told myself that 30 seconds of pain was worth a week of feeling good!