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I will finally receive my Enbrel prescription tomorrow, yay (maybe). I have given myself injections in the past (not a biologic) and I have watched videos on how to do self injections directly from Enbrel.
Have any of you started treatment without having someone physically showing you how to inject?
Yes, I know it's always best to have an expert show you personally, but I'd like to know if there is anything really special about Enbrel where I really MUST wait for a nurse to advise me.
Answer Summary
Members shared practical tips for self-administering Enbrel injections, with the overwhelming consensus being that it's manageable without... Read more
I do it in my stomach and pinch a roll of fat. I mean, I have a small roll to pinch (OK maybe it isn't a SMALL roll, lol) and it goes really smoothly. I already do a methotrexate shot in my thigh every week so I really didn't want to hit up my thighs with another needle, so that's why I do my stomach. I do alternating sides because sometimes there's a bruise afterwards. It's easier for me to see and to do, really. And if you pinch hard enough, it helps to dull the pain of the needle! I never really bleed afterwards either, maybe every once and a great while I might hit a small vein and then have to go fetch a bandaid, but very rarely.
I started with Enbrel, my Dr. had me bring in my sure click and she showed me how to do it, actually she did it and I watched, very simple. If I can suggest, take your sureclick out of refrigerator and before injecting it let it stand at room temp for 20 min. or so, for some reason you feel nothing when you inject. Now taking Orencia and do the same when I take my sure click! Very simple procedure, wish RA were as simple!
I take mine out in the morning and do it in the evening, so mine sits out all day. And you are right about it getting progressively worse. I literally hold my breath when I do it and I sit at my kitchen counter and kick the cabinet while I'm doing it. It's probably funny to watch me, but any little thing to distract me helps, lol!! It does get easier every week, but it still dread it - and I've been on it for 2 years - so 100 injections later, I still have to drag myself into the kitchen and take a deep breath and do it. Some day they will figure out how to make these things painless - I hope I'm around for that!!
Hi....i never pinch the skin up...just inject a flat are on my thigh. I try not to think about it and just do it...like the Nike commercials. Lol.
@A myRAteam Member, I really struggled with my first thigh injection last week. Stomach was much easier & less painful. Do you pinch the skin up? Pull it apart like card says? I'm afraid the needle is going to enter my muscle... ever happen to you? Any thigh-specific tips appreciated!
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