Actemra biological injection for Rhuematoid Arthritis - NRAS

NRAS

36,430 members45,077 posts

Actemra biological injection for Rhuematoid Arthritis

Ruffles13 profile image
12 Replies

Could anyone help me please. You have been injecting myself now for about 6 months. I hate doing it. Sometimes the needle goes in the skin easier than other times. I pinch the skin and wait fir the needle to get room temperature. This morning when I done it it took ages to try and get it in. Am I doing something wrong. Can anyone help please

Written by
Ruffles13 profile image
Ruffles13
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies

It’s a bit hard to know if you are doing something wrong without seeing you doing it but I’d ring your rheumy nurse and then they can check it out for you. I hope you get it sorted soon as it’s no fun having injection difficulties.

Pat9442 profile image
Pat9442

I had the same problem with the weekly injections - and i am an ex nurse well used to doing them! The design of the needle and syringe is the problem. Horrid little thing that takes a disproportionate of pressure to work. My hands were not capable of administering it. I now have a 4 weekly infusion, which is so much better

Ruffles13 profile image
Ruffles13 in reply to Pat9442

Can I ask where you go for your infusions please. And do they work as well x

farm123 profile image
farm123

Your rheumy nurse would be the best person to ask although may be worth trying a different area to inject. I like thighs but others like tummy.

helixhelix profile image
helixhelix

Do you have the pre-filled syringe? When I used to use those I found it was easier on my tummy after a shower. Here’s the leaflet so you can check you're doing it right.

actemra.com/content/dam/gen...

Or maybe talk to your hospital about whether you can change to the pen version?

dwsurquhart profile image
dwsurquhart

I have been getting the actemra infusions for 2.5 years now. Started at 600mg, dropped to 480 mg then to 400 and last infusion 280mg. After self injecting mtx, humira and anakinra, I decided to go the infusion route. It is good for a month and is nice to sit and chat with others at the infusion clinic.

I would ask you Rheumatologist if you could get the monthly infusion. They set up up on an IV and let it drip into you for an hour.

On the other hand, you could get what I get my young son when he needs an injection. It is called an "emla" patch. It is like a lidocaine patch that numbs the area that the injection goes in.

Matt06 profile image
Matt06

I was the same with Actemra sometimes okay. First one I did someone from came to show me and I hadn’t put it fully in. Was told to do it again any place in my thigh. Have come off it as had several dizzy spells and headaches. Always felt awful until about 11am. Stopped it for several weeks but nurse wants me to go back on it. Not sure. How have you been on it.

Ruffles13 profile image
Ruffles13 in reply to Matt06

I must say I have been brilliant on it. I was so bad pain wise and can do most things now. I do get cramp in my legs and dry nose and mouth. But I’m so grateful to be feeling a lot better. I do feel tired sometimes.

Rahelp profile image
Rahelp

I also have them my fourth lot of biologics. They are very hard to do. I find the needle blunt so it does not pierce the skin easily and the whole thing is small and hard to handle. Horrid little things and I have been doing these injections for many years never had trouble with the others.

Ruffles13 profile image
Ruffles13

That is exactly the feeling blunt. But got to get on with it. I must say it has helped me a lot. When I look back to what pain I was in x

Lyneal profile image
Lyneal

Get one of the nurses at you GP’s to show you just in case. I hate doing my MXT injection think after 3 yrs I am getting a phobia about it.

Ruffles13 profile image
Ruffles13

Yes I hate it soon as the day comes for the next one I can’t settle till it’s done thankyou

You may also like...

rhuematoid arthritis

for those that helped me regarding dosage, wanted to let you know finally Got in touch with my...

recently diagnosed with seropositive rhuematoid arthritis

she would ask a nurse to call me back but I didn't get a call. I'm not sure if I should call again...

Rheumatoid Arthritis & Actemra

ever seen. I don't think there is a drug that you could mentioned that he hasn't taken since his...

Biologic injections?

the site needing some advice? Is anyone on the biologic injections? If so are you always sick?...

First biological injection today

I had my first biological injection today Erelzi biosimilar (etanercept) . Very good nurse very...