Best time to take abatacept

[lab-lover]

I am due to get my first delivery tomorrow, and was wondering what is the best time to inject. Morning would mean that I am alone in case of any reactions I might have, or evening, when hubby will be home, and if I did havea reaction I would ppossibly sleep through it

[farm123]

I had to inject my first one when the nurse could visit so it was mid morning Friday. Saturday midday onwards I felt very tired and could not do much. Through trial and error have moved to first thing Friday morning as I prefer not to be ill on Saturday because of the children but whether body has adjusted (7 injections in) I appear to have no effects during either daytime Friday or Saturday now. Saying that my husband works from home therefore would be around whenever I chose to inject. Also everybody reacts differently.

[lab-lover in reply to farm123]

I am not having a nurse, feel confident to do it ourselves (me or hubby), my RA nurse did offer someone to come first time, but I declined. Pleased to hear you didn't get any major probs, it is always a worrying time starting something new, isn't it :/

[Trulyfedup]

Hi. I inject early Eve now. Someone on site said that was prob best as I feel nasty afterwards. I think as it's your first it would be more advisable to do it when your husband is home. I wish you well with injecting...don't forget to keep it a straight entry. Maryx

[farm123]

Remember to take out of the fridge 15 mins before. Mine are a spring loaded pre-filled syringe so is slightly larger to hold and needs a bit more pressure to inject so make sure it is comfortable in your hand before starting. (compared to Enbrel and humira pre-filled syringes). This has been my third biologic medication this last year alone and I don't think you ever stop worrying but it gets to the stage you will try anything for some 'normality' although I still a long way to go.

[lab-lover in reply to farm123]

Thank you. I have used the enbrel pen, and this one will be the spring loaded thing, I think seeing the actual needle is offputting for me, being a wimp. Hubby will prob do most of them, my thunmbs are very sore and weak, sometimes I could not even do the enbrel pen With the pen, I found it hurt less when done into my very ample (ok, call it fat then, lol) tummy rather than the thigh... any suggestions ?

[Hidden]

Hello

It will all depend on you I suppose, I always inject in the mornings and will sit with a coffee afterwards, I suppose if you work in the mornings I would may counsider injecting in the evening.

Again sadly I cannot really advise your GP can tell you what is best

BOB

[farm123]

The needle is very fine and goes in easy. Having previously injected either Enbrel and humira for around 9 years I still don't really like doing it. Have only used my thighs even though there would be plenty of 'surplus' around tummy I just hate the idea of tummy. It seems whichever you start off using you are happier with - the same as with syringes - I have only had pre-filled syringes as I think I would probably jump or move my hand away with the pens.

I think it is trial and error each week to see when or if any side effects happen and move times to suit you.

[allanah]

I always do mine mid evening, so enough time to call the doctors helpline if needed and to then to to bed and sleep it off! But great news that you have your meds, you will be glad. Axx

[jeanabelle]

As I live on my own it doesn't matter when I inject. Like someone else has already said on here I take it out of the fridge to set at room temperature, by the time I have my first mug of coffee I am ready to inject. The thought of it is often worse than actually doing it....one quick jab and it's over......Abatacept has given me my life back again......I would to anything I had to to keep this level of health going......

[dcj14]

Best of luck, hope it went/ goes well. I agree & find Enbrel less painful when I do it in an area with more fat, although I only do thighs as somehow I don't like the idea of doing it elsewhere. I agree it's best to do the first one with someone else around if possible, although I did my first one alone and survived! Hope the effect of the drug kicks in quickly for you anyway.

[farm123]

Hope you got your delivery OK and injection goes well.

[lab-lover]

Thank you to you all for your replies. The delivery arrived on time, and Hubby has given me the injection. It was not as bad as I expected, guess I was worrying for nothing. Here's hoping I dont get any reactions