Enbrel injections

[Guest guest]

--- Schroeder <lschroe3@...> wrote:

> Do any of you (I know and PatB are on Enbrel)

> notice a pronounced feeling of " tired " after you

> take your Enbrel injection?

I am happy to say that I do not experience exhaustion

after my shots. Some people have told me they have

the same feeling of exhaustion you describe after

taking MTX (orally or by injection) but I have not had

that either. Go figure -- it never ceases to amaze me

how differently drugs interact among people.

=====

, NJ Highlands

raharris@...

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

cathy i know how you feel i said to self every time the doctor told i give my

self shots i said god im only 34yr why is happing to me , but one day my friend

told me on new year that i have to give thanks that i have this medicine because

i was so much pain with my knee and my hand last year .the one thing i tell you

is give your self time to adjust to the medicne do something special for your

self , i well tell the week before i took the shot i was so depressed and i told

my uncle and family i can't do this, when i went to the dr to teach me how to do

this i totaly broke down in the office . then nurse told that so many pations do

very well on this medicine i have give a try , with the second shot i felt just

little better with my walking , i take the train towork every day when i got off

the train i couldn't get up i stiff and disy too but a month later i felt better

not depress people at work said what knew me and i have the right medicine and i

about time i tell you this I'm

italian and i no pations for any thing , my uncle said to me one day with me

not noticing that iwalk up the stairs so fast . if every want to chat im hear ,

im only 34 , i dont' know how old you are but talking and writing in this group

as help alot , well bye now monica-NY

[Guest guest]

I was on Enbrel for 1.5 years. When I first started I

was just like you. They instucted me at the doctor's

office under the supervision of a nurse although I had

to do it myself. After a couple of times at home I

didn't give it a second thought. The hardest part was

mixing it and loading the syringe. Now I understand

that they come preloaded with smaller needles. I

never had an injection site reaction and only bruised

a couple of times. I did, however, never injected in

my stomach. I rotated injections from one leg to the

other. My RD said that's what he would do too. The

stomach thing creeped me out.

[Guest guest]

, it is really not difficult at all. The needle is so small I can't even

feel it. I had a friend help me the first few times because the hardest part

for me is getting the cover off the needle because my hands were so bad but now

I can do it well enough to do my own. Do you have a friend who could do it for

you the first few times. Then you will realize that you can't even feel the

needle. My friend is a diabetes educator so she has plenty of experience doing

injections. The Enbrel is really helping me so I hope you find the courage to

try ti. If it works for you it will be a very good thing. Good Luck, Cheri

[Guest guest]

Hi , As a former Enbrel user, current Humira

user, and an addmitted needle coward, I too had my

reservations and have difficulty watching blood draws

or iv insertions. But, these needles don't compare,

and your not going into a vein, which I find more

painful. The process is simple, and quite painless,

and your rheumy should have staff to walk you through

the procedure the first time. Relax, it's not as bad

as it sounds.

Warm blessings, Jane

[Guest guest]

,

The injections are so much better now then 6 months ago. They have

changed to a smaller needle and I myself don't feel anything now. I

cheated before and used an insulin needle to give the shot. The

thing I have found is that if you pinch the skin (not real hard) at

the injection site I feel nothing. If I just push it in, I feel a

little prick as it enters. The new needles are great. You have to

remember to alternate injections sites from shot to shot. On

Tuesday I inject on my right side either upper leg above the knee or

stomach. On Friday it is the left side. Just move it around so the

area doesn't get tender. They say to stay at least one inch from the

last injection site.

You won't have any problems with it and at first you might want to

get a family member to help you until you feel more comfortable

doing it yourself. You doctor and nurse should help you get started

and they will instruct you and a family member on the best way to

give the injection. Take a faimly memeber with you to the doctors

when you are ready to start.

Not everyone has felt an improvement with Enbrel but I have, a big

improvement. The hardest part I have is remembering to take the

shot. My wife has put up post it notes all over the house to remind

me of Tue and Fri shots.

If you are in pain and you insurance will pay for the Enbrel then I

would defiantly give it a try. But that decision is between you and

your doctor.

Good luck, Dick

> I am admittedly a coward. I have been on sulfazine for my PA,

then

> moved up tp MTX. I am currently taking 17.5mg per week with only

> some improvement. My doctor is now adding Enbrel. My question

is,

> how difficult is it to give yourself the injections? I am very

> nervous about this as I can't even watch when the monthly blood

> tests are done. Everyone in the Enbrel literature looks so happy,

> so I am hoping I will feel this way as well. I cannot remember

what

> it feels like not to be in pain or to sleep through the night.

Any

> thoughts or encouragement will be much appreciated.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I inject Humira but it is not that different from injecting Enbrel. The first

shot was the hardest and I did it in my rheumy's office with his assistant at my

side. Since then, it's been a piece of cake to inject myself. However, I don't

have the fear that you have so what's easy for one person can seem like a

mountain for another. Perhaps you have a family member, colleague, friend or

neighbor who would be happy to help you with the injections or to inject you.

Perhaps you will need moral support in the beginning. However, really and

truly, injecting lasts for all of 7 seconds and then it's history until the next

time. It is a small price to pay for the amount of relief it brings many

people. I hope it will be of benefit to you, too.

Wishing you wellness,

Kathy F.

My question is,

how difficult is it to give yourself the injections? I am very

nervous about this as I can't even watch when the monthly blood

tests are done.

[Guest guest]

- I am just like you. I do not like shots and

have to lay down to have my blood drawn to keep from

passing out. I am on enbrel injections twice a week.

They are not to bad but I don't give myself my own

injections. I have my daughter give them to me. Do

you have someone who can give them to you? If not

your doctors office can help you. - Debbie

[Guest guest]

,

I have been injecting Enbrel for over a year. As well, I had also injected

MTX for over year until this past December. That was 3 shots a week. The Enbrel

set up is so much better now than the way it was before. Then, you used the

needle to inject the liquid into the vial and dulled the needle doing it. The

needle was about the size of a straight pin. The rubber dam on the vial

sometimes got like a crimp in it during manufacturing process, so sometimes you

had to

poke the needle through more than once into the vial to inject the liquid. Of

course, this made injecting yourself so fun after that.

The new system is great because the needle is very small and thin, and is

only used to inject you and nothing else.

I'm not on MTX anymore because of liver function problems, so now I have only

inject Enbrel.

Carol in Vancouver, Washington

In a message dated 2/25/04 7:10:12 PM Pacific Standard Time,

cdhollyfarmmom@... writes:

some improvement. My doctor is now adding Enbrel. My question is,

how difficult is it to give yourself the injections?

[Guest guest]

Mica,

That's exactly how I feel too, like a science experiment. My kids come to

visit and are fascinated to watch me mix the Enbrel up. It like a chemistry set.

However, when it comes time for the injection, they always say, " I don't want

to see it. You're not doing that in here are you? " I never thought at age 45,

I would be on so much medicine at one time, but I have come to terms with it.

I just do what I gotta do to remain mobile, and able to still work full-time

and take care of me. Whatever it takes.

Carol in Vancouver, Washington

In a message dated 2/26/04 10:04:59 AM Pacific Standard Time,

mica393@... writes:

I live with people who FREAK at the thought of me injecting myself

So I get no help from them... What I do to make it better is instead

of hiding in the bathroom, I sit in the kitchen at the table &

either look out the window or watch TV as I mix the stuff up. As I

inject myself, I have these various things to distract me & each

time it gets easier because there is no pain... For me I just felt

like a science experiment but now- WOW- lots of people are going

through the same thing !- mica

[Guest guest]

,

I just started Enbrel and was switched to MTX injections at the same

time. I was not too happy about the thought of it and I am a nurse

to boot. I have to say it was very easy and painless. I have gotten

some bruising on my legs if I do the injections there but I bruise

easily and it is not a painful bruise. I was nervous about doing

them in my abdomen but they are even easier there and no bruising. I

would do them there all of the time but I know that I need to rotate

the sites, especially doing three injections a week. I can say the

even after only two injections I have noticed a huge improvement in

my PA. I went to the health club the other night and I was working

out with my trainer and she noticed how much better I was doing after

starting it. Good luck!

Eileen

[Guest guest]

Another spot to try -

My husband is thin with not much to grab anywhere for his shot. His preferred

injection site is his butt. It's a little awkward but it works the best for

him.

Krista

[Guest guest]

-- Good for you! I had the same experience. I've been so busy covering

up my limp for the past two years that I was amazed that after only 6 Enbrel

doses I can walk normal again, with a nice long stride...well, as long as my

short legs can do.

You are so young to have this disease that I too am grateful that medicines are

available to make it easier to tolerate. Take good care of yourself.

Cheri

, my uncle said to me one day with me not noticing that iwalk up the stairs so

fast . if every want to chat im hear , im only 34 , i dont' know how old you are

but talking and writing in this group as help alot , well bye now monica-NY

[Guest guest]

:

I totally understand you, I´m the same coward for needles. I have a simple

solution if you can afford: Have a nurse in either your gp office or reumy

office to do it for you. I was on Enbrel, it really works, and the rheumy said I

could take the 2 shots a week at once, so reduces the cost and the effectiveness

was the same. I used to pay 15 dolars a week, out of pocket, no insurance

involved for the nurse in question here. For 4 years I was pain free for 60

dollars a month plus the insured Enbrel , 50us a month.

[Guest guest]

yup, ive done 5 injections so far, im still working on getting my

technique down

> I live with people who FREAK at the thought of me injecting myself

> So I get no help from them... What I do to make it better is

instead

> of hiding in the bathroom, I sit in the kitchen at the table &

> either look out the window or watch TV as I mix the stuff up. As I

> inject myself, I have these various things to distract me & each

> time it gets easier because there is no pain... For me I just felt

> like a science experiment but now- WOW- lots of people are going

> through the same thing !- mica

[Guest guest]

, congratulations on this important milestone! Happy days may not be

here again, but they're coming!

Kathy F.

I accomplished my first Enbrel injection at the rheumy's office

today. The nurse was wnderfully kind and patient as she talked me

through it. Many, many thanks to all of you who responded to my

nervous post about being able to actually stick a needle in my leg.

You are all so very helpful about sharing information about what to

expect with this disease - both positive and negative. This group

really helps ingetting through those bad days when you know that no

one else will understand. I am hoping to look like all those happy

people in the Enbrel handbook soon. Thank you, all, again. Feel

well.

[Guest guest]

, I'm scared of that issue, too. But I want to feel better so much that

I'm going to be able to stick that needle in [i hope]. Sylvia

[Guest guest]

Congratulations -- I am getting a lot of relief from Enbrel so I hope you

do too. Cheri :-))

[ ] Enbrel Injections

I accomplished my first Enbrel injection at the rheumy's office

today.

[Guest guest]

> , I'm scared of that issue, too. But I want to feel better

so much that I'm going to be able to stick that needle in [i hope].

Sylvia

Sylvia- You will be amazed at the ease of the procedure. I don't

know when I will see some improvement, but it is wonderful to feel

there is some real hope here for at least some releif. Best of

luck.

[Guest guest]

Speaking of relief from Enbrel.

For those that it DID work--how long does it take for the relief to kick in? I

believe it is varied among us. Am I correct? If so, I was curious what was the

" varying points " ..... if you know what I mean.

I have only had my first set of injections (two once a week). Skin is only

STARTING to improve. Pain is still there, but I am more mobile.....

These bruises. Dark and UGLY. But shrinking.

LeAnn Cayer & Furbrats Blossom & Meriko

Heart Bandits American Eskimo Dog Rescue

Railroad Coordinator www.heartbandits.com

[Guest guest]

i too was deathly afraid of injecting myself - it took probably 15 mins to do

the first one...it did become much easier as everyone said it would - too bad

the medication didnt work for me...still searching for the right one...hope you

do well

[Guest guest]

yes , yes, yes enbrel is wonderful.

i did my first enbrel injections and with in 24 hours swelling and pain were 50%

better and then next day completely better my hand swelling is totally gone . i

did two injections one in each arm . i was thinking of disability before i took

the injections so i am so relieved . i am a hairdresser self employed i didn't

know what i was going to do. im so happy. no brusing either.

[Guest guest]

Tom,

I grew up watching my father take insulin at the breakfast table every

morning, so the thought of taking injections didn't really bother me. His

favorite thing to do was to gross out our friends when they spent the night

and were greeted with his " shot " in the morning, he was quite a kidder. I

never liked the mixing and waiting process of the 2 shot Enbrel system, but

maybe because, it never became routine for me. I would put it off until I

finally had to sit down and do it. I was just thinking the other day how

much I'm enjoying the premixed once a week injection. I hardly skip a beat

in doing it. In fact it takes so little thought that I sometimes have to

stop and think, " Did I take my shot? " I put it next to my bed while I'm

getting ready for bed so it can warm and when I go to bed, I stick myself

and it's done.

My 13 yr old nephew gets completely grossed out by my shots. When I was

taking the 2 shot dosage, I could take my shot sitting in my recliner next

to him and not worry about exposing my stomach to him, (I'm very modest).

There is no way that he would ever look my direction with that needle in my

hand.

I know that some are having a hard time with the new system, but I love it.

I don't believe them when they say that they are using the same needle that

was on the 2 dose system, it just doesn't slide in as easily as the others,

occasionally there is a bit of discomfort from the injection, but with the

pain we are already enduring, what's a bit of discomfort in our lives.

On an OT note, I visited your fine city this past summer and had dinner with

a friend; I took a 7 day cruise and a 6 day land tour of Alaska. I am in

love with your state, and defiantly will return.

Becky

Elko, NV

_____

From: tr1rt [mailto:tr1rt@...]

Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 9:12 PM

Subject: [ ] enbrel injections

*

Okay, the majority of us taking Enbrel feel that it has been a complete

lifesaver. Do any of

you out there find it a little odd how quickly injecting yourself 2x a week

felt like a normal

thing to do, like fixing a cup of coffee or a latte in the morning?

I was pretty weirded out about having to do the injections, but I have a

good relationship

with my Derm and he convinced me it was the way to go. I do my own

injections and it is

ingrained into my morning routine to the point that I do it while I am

making my morning

latte.

It grosses out my son if he walks into the kitchen when I am injecting

myself. He finds the

whole idea very disturbing, which I guess is a good thing. I wouldn't want

him thinking

that shooting stuff into your body is something that is normal.

Tom in Anchorage - getting ready for another day of snowboarding in the

morning!!!

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear you had a nice visit. Last summer was remarkable here. We set all

sorts of

records for the weather we had from May until September. We felt like we were

somewhere

in California the sun was out so much! This place is such an amazing place to

live. There is

always something new to see.

Tom in Anchorage

>

> Tom,

>

> I grew up watching my father take insulin at the breakfast table every

> morning, so the thought of taking injections didn't really bother me. His

> favorite thing to do was to gross out our friends when they spent the night

> and were greeted with his " shot " in the morning, he was quite a kidder. I

> never liked the mixing and waiting process of the 2 shot Enbrel system, but

> maybe because, it never became routine for me. I would put it off until I

> finally had to sit down and do it. I was just thinking the other day how

> much I'm enjoying the premixed once a week injection. I hardly skip a beat

> in doing it. In fact it takes so little thought that I sometimes have to

> stop and think, " Did I take my shot? " I put it next to my bed while I'm

> getting ready for bed so it can warm and when I go to bed, I stick myself

> and it's done.

>

>

>

> My 13 yr old nephew gets completely grossed out by my shots. When I was

> taking the 2 shot dosage, I could take my shot sitting in my recliner next

> to him and not worry about exposing my stomach to him, (I'm very modest).

> There is no way that he would ever look my direction with that needle in my

> hand.

>

>

>

> I know that some are having a hard time with the new system, but I love it.

> I don't believe them when they say that they are using the same needle that

> was on the 2 dose system, it just doesn't slide in as easily as the others,

> occasionally there is a bit of discomfort from the injection, but with the

> pain we are already enduring, what's a bit of discomfort in our lives.

>

>

>

> On an OT note, I visited your fine city this past summer and had dinner with

> a friend; I took a 7 day cruise and a 6 day land tour of Alaska. I am in

> love with your state, and defiantly will return.

>

>

>

> Becky

>

> Elko, NV

[Guest guest]

Rae, I am also on Enbrel, and yes, I get the bruises more times than

not. I assume it's when we hit a little blood vessel.

I also get an injection site reaction sometimes, which itches. I don't

know why I get these sometimes and not always. I went at least a year

before I got the first one.

Sue

On Sunday, February 13, 2005, at 01:32 AM, Rae Sandberg wrote:

>

> paula, i know you are on enbrel... and i know more are, too but i do

> not remember who...

> anyway, i have a question for you all... a few times i get the

> injection, there is a bruise about the size of a nickel at the

> injection site... do you ever get that?? and if so do you know what is

> causing it??