Has anybody used the metx pen I am going on Monday for training on feeling very neverous about wonder is it hard to do thanks in advance
Metx pen : Has anybody used the metx pen I am going on... - NRAS
Metx pen
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shady
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I had a demonstration of it, but just a demonstration model so didn't actually inject. It looks easy, and same sort of approach in that you pinch a bit of flesh and go for it. I'll be interested how you get on as took me a bit leap of faith to start injecting and I'm not that keen to change now. But I guess we'll all have to as it is safer in terms of needle stick injuries. Let us know?
Hi, I'm sure it won't be as scary as you think.
I'm a diabetic and I have 7 injections a day, once you try it you'll be good to go,
Good luck.
Having inject 4 different types of medications over the course of my condition, I can say with confidence that I far prefer the pens to the syringes. I find the pens much easier on my hands and wrists too.
Hi- I'm here in U.S. Not sure if they are available here. What is the dosage strength? Thanks
I'm still on prefilled syringes but due to change to the pen. This link will explain fully for you but sorry I've no idea if it's being released in the US. Maybe your Rheumy would have more of an idea if it's imminent. metoject.co.uk/patient/meto...
Thank you so much! I am loading syringes myself! I didn't even know those were available/ thanks again!
Please note though I don't know if they're even going to be launched any time soon in the US. Are you not prescribed pre filled MTX in the US or is it your choice to have separate syringes & MTX? I struggle enough with the pre filled ones, my h has to take the cap off the needle for me as I can't grip it so not too sure I'd be too comfortable having to sort it all out.
Yes, I load syringes myself- I feel so stupid. I had no idea there were pre loaded syringes and not sure why Rheumy has me injecting the way I am. I will certainly ask her at next appointment. Also, my pharmacist has never mentioned preloaded syringes. Since I don't know anyone personally who injects this is all new to me! Of RD people I know they take pills. Thank you so much for the information.
Don't be daft, how would you know if that's what's you've always been prescribed?! Maybe pre filled are more expensive in the US, I don't even know if they're available but would thought it unlikely they're not. All you can do is ask & see if you could change to them if they come pre filled, it must be so much easier. I'm on the fence about the new pen as I have no problem injecting as I can control it but I guess the one I get now will be phased out so I'll have no option though I guess I'll soon get used to it.
It was the same with me not knowing anyone who injected or indeed had RD & I was in a foreign country so it was a really steep learning curve for me & I knew nobody else there who had it apart from the other patients who saw my consultant & it's just general chit chat when waiting!!
Do prefilled syringes come in different dosages? Strange that my dr is putting me through loading syringes when I was so bad with disease and so much trouble
manipulating the syringe, medicine, etc. I found on an earlier post from months ago someone talking about preloaded syringes for MTX and saw where I had actually responded!! Didn't remember at all! Maybe I was on so much pain med at the time!! It's actually quite funny cause I have been telling people I can't remember anything and now this proves it!! Oh dear! Can I blame memory loss on MTX?
The pre-filled come in all doses, as will the new pen.
That's generally known as brain fog & few are the days I don't have it lol!! Pain could be a contributory factor as it does make it difficult to think when so tired from not sleeping properly though meds could cause it to. I couldn't be sure which drug affects me with it but think it could be any one of three I take so possibly MTX although I am on max dose of 30/500 co-codamol at the mo as I'm not taking a daily NSAID. Yes, the prefilled syringes come in different doses. I've had 20mg & am still on 15mg.
did you ever feel the needles were blunt
I'm still on the prefilled & on the contrary never had a problem as they're lovely & sharp. I know some health authorities instruct to prescribe a cheap version but the one I take is Metoject made by Medac GmbH. Always had that make but once had the misfortune of using a cheaper version when there was a shortage of MTX whilst I was still living abroad & had to have what was available from whichever pharmacy. They were nasty things those needles!
Thanks every one for replys Will let you known how I get on
Hi, you'll be fine it only takes a few seconds to do. It's so easy my 7 year old granddaughter used to like to do mine for me.
So sorry I've just realized you said metx pen but I imagine it will be something like the enbrel pen I used to have x
Hi I'm a newbie been on prednisone hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate for 2 months or so, felt incredibly ill so far and am booked in to learn how to use the pens Monday after next.
Hiya orchidcass & welcome. It's rubbish at the start of treatment isn't it? The meds need to start from scratch & to begin with sometimes we feel no benefit. I started on HCQ & a corticosteroid + NSAIDs - HCQ I know can make you feel pretty rough. When it was seen I wasn't reacting well just on HCQ as my only DMARD MTX was added & that didn't work well with the HCQ for me so my Consultant dropped that & I remained on MTX which I still take with my other meds (slight changes but basically the same ones). The MTX can take up to 12 weeks to really feel the benefit even though it's working. What I found helped even more with side effects was when my folic acid was upped from 2 x 5mg a week to one a day except the day I inject. Tablets can be more problematic but they're generally the first introduction to MTX. I switched to injections after giving the tablets a good while & have been tons better taking it this way so hopefully the same will be for you.
I had my training last friday. I found it so easy it was nothing at all. They show you a pen and how it works and how to do it. Then its your turn to do it on yourself. Job done very easy.
hope you manage as well as i did sending hugs xxx
Chris
Thank you did you just have to go the once for training
yes just once i have now 6 pens , used two , one for instruction and one for yesterday. Done that one in front of hubby and all went well. He said that was easy .
I was on 20mg tablets and on 20mg pen so i will see if i have any improvement, hopefully.
so good luck sending hugs and best wishes.
Chris
Thank you I have 2 appointments. For training
I didn't get any, training/help they just delivered new pen, I did receive a phone call asking if all was well with the new jab, Got hubby to do 1st one now I do it myself.
Hi All, these videos on our website may be helpful if you are due to start injections or pens. nras.org.uk/using-methotrex...
Best wishes,
Ruth Grosart
NRAS Digital Media Coordinator & HU Admin
Thanks for all the encouragement. One of my difficulties has been the pain killers, I was also recently diagnosed with hashimotos thyroiditis and cannot take anti inflammatories with my levo (tho even without my levels have become unstable since starting treatment for RA! I have justchanged from a rather risky mix of tramadol and cocodomol to brutrans patches. I have so many meds in me I can hardly stomach food at all! Generally I feel so awful and am struggling more thank ever as a sjngle mum of 4
Hi orchidcass
Sorry you are struggling with this early part of treatment. Did you get diagnosed with thyroid prob at the same time? That must be particularly bad as I remember feeling awful waiting for levo to kick in. I have had underactive thyroid and been on levo for years now. It did take quite a few months to get the levels right and I still have it checked annually . Am wondering why you say you can't have anti inflammatories with levo? I've not heard that before and since rd diagnosis have taken plenty!! X
I believe anti inflamm. Along with aspirin, caffeine, amongst many others should not be taken with levo as they work against the levo in your system? I was diagnosed with thyroid early last year and just diagnosed with ra early this year! Personally I believe there is a connection between taking levo and developing ra. My endo won't admit that but my friends had his thyroid removed privately and was told there is a connection
Hi
Thanks for getting back to me.
I have never been told that about anti infl etc working against levo, mind you have been told very little really! Mostly just know what i found out for myself when diagnosed. I think the connection is that both are auto immune diseases and unfortunately if you have one of these then you are more likely to develop another. I think the levo itself is quite harmless.
I will have a look over on the thyroid uk site and see if there is any further info.
I do know that you should avoid lots of things and especially calcium for an hour or so after taking levo so you can absorb it properly. X
Ahhh see now I didn't know about calcium which my Rheumy prescribed ad-cal alongside hydroxychloroquine so you may well have solved my Issue with thyroid going haywire in last few blood tests! Thank you, will take it in the evening and see if it gets better! I too was sent home with diagnosis, levo and on doctors advice I was told to learn everything I possibly could about condition to help improve my prospective health. Its took over my life ever since. I wasn't very well in numerous ways in last few years, I guess it was a foreboding of what was to come. Thanks 
Ahhh see now I didn't know about calcium which my Rheumy prescribed ad-cal alongside hydroxychloroquine so you may well have solved my Issue with thyroid going haywire in last few blood tests! Thank you, will take it in the evening and see if it gets better! I too was sent home with diagnosis, levo and on doctors advice I was told to learn everything I possibly could about condition to help improve my prospective health. Its took over my life ever since. I wasn't very well in numerous ways in last few years, I guess it was a foreboding of what was to come. Thanks
Hi
Well yes I may have solved your issue but to be honest I took my levo for years first thing with my daily calcium and breakfast ( milk etc) and never had a problem. Changed it when I read info on thyroid uk site then checked with doc about it after all I don't want thyroid playing up now as well as current issues!
Have had a look on thyroid uk site re anti infl and there is one that isn't good with levo but got so bogged down with all the info and discussion on there I can't remember which it was!!
If you want more info sign up to it from box above and have a look, but I will warn you that all the info on there is a bit overwhelming!
I hope you get your levels sorted soon, must be really hard to know which symptoms are thyroid related and which are rd.
take care and hope you have a good day x
Hi orchid lass sorry to hear you are having a rough ride! Last time I was in hospital a routine appointment was made for me to see a social worker. She was so nice and asked if I was managing at home. I was doing ok with help from family. She said if you need help ring us for an assessment. Maybe something for you to think about? If you were awarded help you could go down the direct payment route and employ a personal assistant. Then you have control over what they do ( like help with the kids) as apposed to home help who would only help you get up and washed etc. a friend of mine was awarded 7 hours so she hired a nanny as she too has 4 kids and lives in a rural area away from family and h works away a lot.
Going back to mtx, I am getting a delivery of the pen tomorrow. Healthcare at home said they would send me a training pack but it hasn't materialised. I've not been offered any training. Hope the pen is easy to use. Sounds as if it is.
shady• in reply to
I had my training for my metx pen today had no trouble doing it Very easy to do I was give a booklet also with guidelines to administering it so hopefully you get one too
Ooh good luck with that! I have only just received my government stamp of aproval to be regarded as disabled so up till very recently I hit every barrier imaginable whilst looking for support and was basically cast as a bad mother as I've struggled to get my 2 ten year olds to school each day, often being 5 minutes late. The school reported me to ss but ss felt it unneccessary and gave me a support worker. My family are virtually non-existant, I have 1 very good friend who tries her best but has 5 kids herself. I've found all officcial bodies who are intended to support people like us, have many meetings (making my life more busy!) And they spend much time discussing what needs to be done; so far very little has actually been "done".
I had my training today for my. Metoject. Pen dead easy to use had no bother doing it thanks again for all your helpful replys So grateful for this site
Morning all, ive just done my 1st methoject pen, i'd had a leaflet explaining the change over delivered whilst i was away...(las vegas to get married ☺️) but hadnt been to a training session, picked up my new pack of injections to discover the new pens, i thoroughly read through the leaflet and did it.....i think its quite easy, but a lot more bulky in general compared to the injections, but it it works then its worth the change....
First of. All Congratulations. On your wedding. I was prescribed. The pen but when I got my scrip from chemist it is a syringe. I was never trained how to use a syringe is there. Much difference. I found the pen so easy I have only used the pen at my training I have one more training session. With pen don,t think I would like syringe
Thankyou Shady, oh dear, thats a bit of a problem isnt it, if you have onli been trained with the pen then going onto a syringe is different, i went for training when using the syringes, i wouldnt advise you to try without training, everyones opinion is different, personally i found the syringes easy to learn and do, trouble is once you left the chemist with the syringes i dont think they can take them back and exchange them now....my chemist said she will get whatever the wholesaler sends her, as she was aware the pens were coming into effect, but most wholesalers will be using up thier stock of syringes first, mayb you need to state that you need the pens bcoz of yr training....sorry cant be of more help...lisa x
Hi. Lisa. Brought it back to chemist they don't have. The pen they are going to order it I don't need. It till next Monday as I have. More training tomorrow. So I hope they have it by then. I explained. To him that I wasn't trained on syring.
I received pens in my script that i got from chemist on Monday did not know till i went to do it yesterday not a word said or any instruction.
I started using the new pens a few weeks ago 1st one uncomfortable held the flab too firmly! then all ok until this week again my fault as I let go too soon - initially I had to insert my own needles then moved onto with fixed needles which I wasn't keen on - these are so much better and I am sure you will be fine, nobody likes jabbing themselves but you will be fine
Its much better IMHO and very easy
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