RE: Auto-Inject VS Self-Inject

[Guest guest]

Hi PJ - I take Humira, the self-inject. The 1st 2 injections were in my thighs -

hurt really, really bad. My husband gave me the 1st one and I fired him after

that! The last 2 I have given myself in the tummy, and it doesn't hurt at all! I

ice the area before and leave mine out of the fridge so it is not cold when I

inject.

Good luck to you!

Donna, Colorado

[Guest guest]

PJ,

I prefer the twice-weekly 25mg Enbrel that I mix myself. I tried the

once-weekly, and it didn't seem to last as long for me. I use the

needles that come with the Enbrel. I don't know what gauge they are.

I inject into my stomach because there are fewer nerve endings there.

A lot of fat is a plus when it comes to injecting, LOL. Just pinch up

a bit and inject. I have to avoid lots of stretch marks and also try

to avoid blood vessels. The only time that I bleed is when I hit a

blood vessel, and the only time I get a bruise. It doesn't really hurt

at all.

At first I was a little squeamish about sticking a needle into myself,

but I soon got over that and became pretty much an expert at it. I'd

rather do it myself than let someone else do it. I do let it get to

room temperature before injecting, and I put some anti-itch cream on

the site after injecting.

Good luck, and do keep us informed. I hope it works as well for you as

it does for me.

Sue

On Dec 17, 2010, at 10:26 AM, Patti Yuswak wrote:

>

> The Dr's office is about an hour away so not really feasible to go

> there for

> an injection each time. Do people prefer to have someone else, like

> their

> spouse, give them the injection? I've read that there are fewer nerve

> endings in the stomach but I have a lot of fat there, will that

> matter?

>

> I read back through some of the emails, although I don't think the

>

> search works all that well, and I saw some that talked about 27 gauge

> needles, or 30 gauge B & D needles, and that you should squeeze the

> site

> before sticking the needle in, and make sure to let the alcohol dry

> before

> injecting, etc. I guess I'm getting a little freaked with all that

> I'm

> reading. Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get my head

> around all

> this.

[Guest guest]

Hey PJ,

I take the autoinject in the back of my arms,if you do the autoinject try the

arms vice the stomach or thighs.I really don't find it very painfull in the arm.

Good luck

rob

From: WhtBC10@...

Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:26:39 -0600

Subject: [ ] Auto-Inject VS Self-Inject

Hi,

Well I think my insurance woe's are over (except for the painful payment

each month :-) ), I switched back to my previous insurance as a retiree and

I believe Enbrel will be covered. Now I need to make the decision on

whether I want auto-inject or self inject. I've read about both but would

love to hear some real life experiences with either of them.

The auto-inject sounds easier but then as it's been said you have no

control over how fast the medicine is being injected and I've heard the

slower the less painful. But I'm not sure I can imagine actually sticking a

needle in myself. I inject dogs (mine and my friends dogs, I'm not a vet)

with no problem, but myself? I'm not sure.

The Dr's office is about an hour away so not really feasible to go there for

an injection each time. Do people prefer to have someone else, like their

spouse, give them the injection? I've read that there are fewer nerve

endings in the stomach but I have a lot of fat there, will that matter?

I read back through some of the emails, although I don't think the

search works all that well, and I saw some that talked about 27 gauge

needles, or 30 gauge B & D needles, and that you should squeeze the site

before sticking the needle in, and make sure to let the alcohol dry before

injecting, etc. I guess I'm getting a little freaked with all that I'm

reading. Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get my head around all

this.

Thanks!

PJ

[Guest guest]

I use the self inject and also leave it out for 30 min so it isn't cold when I

inject. I rotate from the thighs, stomach and back of arms. The stomach and arms

don't hurt like the thighs.

[Guest guest]

I want to thank everyone for their advice and support on this. Seems the

way to inject is very individual, which means I will choose one way to do it

and if that doesn't work for me I'll try a different way until I get it

right. All the suggestions that have come across the list are invaluable to

me!

Thank you all!

PJ