Injection Site Reaction

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I am injecting Enbrel 1x a week using a pre-filled syringe. I alternate

between my thighs. I gave myself injections for 3 weeks then got sick and

had to go off for about a month. I started up again and gave myself 2

injections with no problem (except the usual nerves) and on the third one I

had an injection site reaction. Site swelled up, turned red, and really

itched! I called my rheumy who asked me a few questions, decided it was a

site reaction and told me to put cold compresses on it and a cream like

benadryl or cortaid. I did that and it did get bigger for a few days then

it went down and finally went away within a week. I then gave myself another

injection this past Tuesday on the other leg and again had a reaction. This

time it seems a bit bigger but I've been putting the cream on it and

hopefully it'll go away soon.

I will say that I'm not very good at giving shots as my hands do tend to

move when they want to and not only when I direct them to. When I pull the

needle out I don't seem to be able to do it very straight and the last

couple of times have bled. I put a cotton pad on it for the 10 seconds it

says to and press lightly, this past Tuesday I got a bruise as the blood

must have collected under the skin.

My question is, will I always have these reactions now? Has anyone else had

this problem? Will I have to stop taking Enbrel? I do have an appt with my

rheumy on Monday which is before my next injection, and I will talk to him

about it but before then I thought I'd get some information from people who

have actually experienced it.

Thank you all so much for this wonderful group - I read every email avidly

and really wish I could be of some help. Knowing everyone here is going

through the same thing is such an incredible feeling, nobody else really

'gets it'.

Thank you,

PJ