benepali

[Bootoo]

can anyone tell me if the benepali injection pen is as easy as the methotreaxte one?

[PinkLamb]

Hi Bootoo,

I am on Benepali, I have been for 3 years this November, and I have to be honest with you, I dread Sunday coming around, that's when I Inject, I don't find it as easy as the methotrexate, sometimes it's OK, then other times it really hurts!! I used to be on enbrel before they switched us over, I much preferred that, I always take it out of the fridge about one hour before I Inject, but still I cringe

Hope that you find it easier!! Let me know how you get on with it

X

[Bootoo in reply to PinkLamb]

thanks for your reply, it was more of the ease of using the pen i was wondering about, my grip isn't good.. i hate needles but i have got the methotrexate down to a fine art.. pull cap off and don't hesitate

[PinkLamb in reply to Bootoo]

Hi

I find it difficult yes!! My husband has to help me,!! It's not easy for one person alone, Escpecially when we all have difficulty with our hands, and in pain

X

[Bootoo in reply to PinkLamb]

why is life so difficult for us... looks like my other half will be helping then

[PinkLamb in reply to Bootoo]

Yes, RA sure does TRY US doesn't it, don't give up 👆, yes get your partner in training

Good luck

X

[Hidden in reply to PinkLamb]

I too think it is a bad design for people who are quite likely to have hand and wrist problems. I find it really difficult to keep the pressure on until the end, never mind keeping hold of the thing. I found the mtx one much easier.

[Bootoo in reply to Hidden]

these designers really don't get it do they, my ra is all in my hands

[PinkLamb in reply to Bootoo]

Exactly, it's not easy!!

X

[patricia_210 in reply to Bootoo]

The pen is hard to use

I take by syringe injection I find it easier that way

[Kerensa21]

I found it as easy, I just push down with palm & pen does the rest, weird waiting for second click tho. Nurse with delivery company did demo & there are really good diagrams in leaflet in box. I managed first time with shoulder flared so that should give you hope lol 😆 sometimes bit stingier than MTX but doesn’t make me feel constantly sick & hey it’s controlling RA at mo so ok by me x

[Bootoo in reply to Kerensa21]

i'm hoping it gets my ra under control, i won't be getting my delivery of benepali till next month but i now have an idea of what to expect.

[Kerensa21 in reply to Bootoo]

Hope so too, good luck, definitely less side effects than dmards for me x

[Mmrr]

I find benepali a little more clunky than MTX to inject, but I took my 6th benepali tonight and feel I have it sorted now.

The main thing is to remember and stretch/ flatten the skin, then apply the pen, it does the rest for you, do keep it on the skin for 15 sec after the second click.

I have found the injections painless, just like MTX.

There are very clear instructions in the starter pack, and if you you tube it, you will get further advice.

[Bootoo in reply to Mmrr]

15 seconds is a lifetime when you don't like needles..

[PinkLamb in reply to Mmrr]

Hi Mmrr

How do you manage to stretch the skin & Inject at the same time by yourself?? I have to have help from my husband!! Bless him!! It's very awkward isn't it??

X

[Mmrr in reply to PinkLamb]

I stretch the skin with my left thumb and forefinger, it doesn't take much, and hold the pen in my right fist, pinky side down and press onto the skin. Little pressure needed.

I live by myself , so had to be innovative!

[Bootoo in reply to Mmrr]

so you don't have to press a button to inject, just push against the skin? i was thinking it would be the same as my mtx pen

[Mmrr in reply to Bootoo]

Nope, no button. The mechanism releases itself when pressed against the skin.

[Bootoo in reply to Mmrr]

sounds easier than i thought then, thank you for that

[PinkLamb in reply to Mmrr]

I must be doing it wrong then!!

[Mmrr in reply to PinkLamb]

What do you do ?

[PinkLamb in reply to Mmrr]

Like you, I try to stretch the skin, although I don't have much feeling in my fingers, then just press!! But my fingers don't work properly and sometimes slip, it's awkward somehow!!

[HappykindaGal]

It can be a bit stingy as the liquid is much thicker than methotrexate. No button to push though, just press the whole pen into the skin and wait for the second click.

[Bootoo in reply to HappykindaGal]

i don't do stingy, i am such a wimp 😥

[Esmereld]

I was told to pinch the skin. I guess it doesn’t matter if you pinch or stretch. You need to apply a bit of pressure but as long as you have a reasonable grip you’ll be fine. I was trained by nurse to inject into my thigh but found it very painful. I now use an ice pack for 10 minutes and inject into my tummy. Painless!!

[Bootoo in reply to Esmereld]

hmm i have no grip, not sure I'm looking forward to this delivery 😣

[Hidden in reply to Bootoo]

I’d use the palm of your hand to push down on the pen as someone else does, I’m going to try that this week as I find gripping it hard too 😊

[Bootoo in reply to Hidden]

sounds like a plan.. Just got to wait for my delivery 😣

[Lotus17racer]

Without treating the subject too flippantly I hope, a very tricky thing is getting the injectors out of the box! That must take me 5 or ten minutes: it’s triple locked!!! So much for saving the planet.

Sometimes it hurts but I ensure I relax before stabbing my self and just keep it in there. When it does, the pain can build up but then gets no worse. So if you can reach the plateau, you’re ok.

And it keeps my swelling down.

Good luck!!

[Hidden in reply to Lotus17racer]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who can’t get into the packet. I’m sure I’m missing something because surely it shouldn’t be as difficult as I find it. It’s only been harder since they changed the packaging.

[Vandf in reply to Lotus17racer]

Yes, I agree with you. It's so difficult to get the pen out of the box, especially when your fingers and hands are sore. I have to get my husband to do it. I did tell the rheumatologist and she said she would pass on the feedback. The packaging on the Enbrel injections was much better.

[Bootoo]

i never thought about the box 😂 my mtx box is easy. Ah I'm just a,coward when it comes to needles, i swore I'd never inject myself but i don't even think when i do my mtx now... If benepali works it'll be worth the sting

[patricia_210]

I have no experience of the methotrexate one but the benipali is terrible

[Bootoo in reply to patricia_210]

well that fills me full of confidence ..😥...😂

[Hidden in reply to patricia_210]

Why is it terrible for you Patricia?

[patricia_210 in reply to Hidden]

Stings give me a cough and indigestion

[Hidden in reply to patricia_210]

Have you told your rheumy about it?

[Esmereld]

Hi everyone. It might be an idea for those of you finding it difficult to open the box to ask a friend or relative to do it for you. Take all the pens out and stack them up right in a cup or a glass. Mine usually get delivered around 10 days before I need to open the box which I am lucky enough to be able to open myself. But I usually see an able handed person in those 10 days that would be more than happy to help. Keep it lighthearted if you don’t want that serious look of sympathy.

Stinging pain. Freeze the area for a few minutes before injecting. Tummy is far less sensitive than thigh. Most people say this. Try it! You will never look back or dread injecting again. I injected into my thigh for about 9 months so I am fully aware of the pain. I’m sure we all have ice cubes in our freezer or a slab of something frozen you can use. I just happen to have an ice pack but those ice blocks that go into cool bags/boxes would do very nicely. Just remember to use a tea towel to start. You don’t want freezer burn.

Can you pinch and hold an inch of tummy flesh for 30 seconds? The injector pen is about the size of a Cuban cigar. You might find it easier to hold it with a damp cloth for a bit of extra grip.

I think a lot of us have struggled with this injection. None of us like it but if we share experiences we can always try new methods.

Maybe we should write en masse to the manufacturer about that packaging. I agree. It’s not very easy to open.

Otherwise everyone, none of us should be struggling unnecessarily. Talk to clinical home care or nurse or GP practice manager. You are paying their wages with the tax you pay. They work for you.

Happy Friday to all.

[Vandf in reply to Esmereld]

Lots of good advice there. Thank you.

[Bradclew]

It’s simple just takes a couple of seconds I don’t feel it at all good luck

[Bootoo in reply to Bradclew]

thanks for the reply, benipali is on hold for now, my consultant has left so i'm waiting for a replacement.. then i'm away for a month so it looks like it's going to be June before i'm introduced to the joys of another injection