Biologics second injection and think I got it wrong!!

[Jaxine]

I started biologics last week (one injection per week) my first injection, my nurse showed me how to do it. Tonight I i injected myself however, I think I injected wrongly as it hurt and it took longer for the second click plus drew blood. I injected between my knee and upper thigh. Sorry guys I'm not Normally worried about things like this I just think there must be an easier way.

[helixhelix]

I was nervous about injecting biologics, even tho’ I’d been injecting methotrexate for years. And it did take a few weeks to get it right. I’ve learnt that some bits of my thighs bruise more easily than others, and that cooling the area before means it is painless.

Agree with Whaelroad also that needs to be out of the fridge for longer than 30 minutes.

You’ll get there....

[Jaxine in reply to helixhelix]

Yes ilk try that knumb it with some ice first. I did take out Iinjection 2 hours before. Thank you always good advice

[Jaxine]

I took it out 2 hours before, I injected on the top of my thigh maybe I should pinch some fat and I ject into that. Great advice though thank you

[Mmrr]

I took my beneplai out of the fridge in the morning and injected at teatime. I used my stomach too, almost pain free in comparison to a nippy thigh injection. Sometimes there was a drop of blood and others not, sometimes a small bruise the following day and others not. It does become easier as the weeks move on.

[Jaxine in reply to Mmrr]

Going to try injecting in my stomach too next yime

[Deniseelk]

You have already had great advice and I agree with all of it in my experience! I also inject into my thigh and take the pen out of the fridge few hours before injecting. I always shower before as choose not to use the wipes ( heard it can cause skin irritation) but have learnt to let my veins cool down after the shower For good 20 mins then found less chance of bleeding. Likewise I never know what “ reaction” I will get but generally seems to be pain but no bleeding OR no pain but bleeding... however, I always decide to just get it done with no hesitation, grit my teeth and say it’s only weekly...thank god. Every week I am so very thankful that we have the NHS and couldn’t imagine my life if we didn’t!!!

[Hessie5]

Hi Jaxine - you need to pinch the skin, I go for the upper thigh area. I have been finding that my last couple of pens have been a little tricky with not all the liquid going in. You should have a picture that demos what to do as a reminder otherwise YouTube could be helpful. All the best, Hessie 😌

[Jaxine in reply to Hessie5]

Good idea I'll YouTube it

[HappykindaGal]

Don’t panic! It’s just a tiny blood capillary. It’s an odd injection. Sometimes it stings, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it takes longer to inject than others. Apparently it’s a fairly thick liquid which is why it may be a bit stingy. All perfectly normal though - you’re not doing anything wrong.

[Jaxine in reply to HappykindaGal]

Thank you it's good to get such great feedback

[Dicorn]

Hi Jaxine. I have been taking Benepali for over 6 months now. I take the pen out of the fridge for several hours before I inject to reduce the stinging effect. However, I have yet to be completely sting free. I also vary the injection site on both thighs, high and low. I always count to 10 after the click of the pen and I rarely bleed, bruise or have any leakage of the drug. Just lucky I guess. Good luck with your next try. 👌

[Jaxine in reply to Dicorn]

Thank you. Yes I was told to do that too. Thi k I'm going to go for fatty area next week

[Pettens]

Have been injecting more than 7 years now I make sure the pen is out the fridge for more than 20 minutes. Only use tummy less painful than thighs. Hope this helps you Jaxine, persevere with the treatment ....

[Jaxine in reply to Pettens]

Thank you I will. Its o Ky been two 8njections looking forward to sober relief too.

[Gitaga]

Hi

I am supposed to inject methotrexate weekly, but I'm so afraid of drawing from the vial incase of air bubbles.. Anyone out there with the same issue

[JFlay in reply to Gitaga]

Hi, in the UK it's in a pen device so no drawing up. Do you have a rheumatology nurse or similar that can teach you the technique to do it? so you can practice it? I was in nursing a long time ago 😂 and it's not difficult to remove air bubbles once you get the technique right. Good luck!

[Gitaga in reply to JFlay]

Thanks. I get mine done at the pharmacy. Have to start at home. Will give it a try

[Jaxine in reply to Gitaga]

Good luck

[benjijen]

I found legs far too painful so injected in stomach - pinch an inch and inject - no pain.

[Jaxine in reply to benjijen]

Yes that's what I'm going to do

[Pawz4me]

I've only injected Enbrel four times, so I'm still very much a newbie to this. So far I've done all the injections in my thighs. But I've already figured out that when injecting in the upper part of my thigh it's better to do it towards the outside than in the middle. Less pain, less (none, really) bruising. I don't know if that's just me or if it's true for others. And yes to what everybody says about leaving it out longer than 30 minutes.

[Jaxine in reply to Pawz4me]

Yes I took it out two hours before so it wasnt too cold!

[charisma]

There are lots of reassuring responses already so I’m just wishing you well as you get used to doing injections.

I had metoject for about 15 months and it was very easy to do. I am now on Amgevita (Humira biosimilar) two weekly, and find it is not so painless to have. Did my first injection 13 days ago, bled, bruised. As others say, it seems to vary. I like the advice on removing the injection from the fridge for much longer than 30 minutes before use, and that it might hurt less in the abdomen. Thanks all!

[Jaxine in reply to charisma]

It's a learning curve but great advice from everyone

[dbestdeb]

I inject higher on the thigh where my leg is fattier. The more fat, the less pain has been my experience.

[Jaxine in reply to dbestdeb]

My thighs are really firm so I'll inject in the stomach lots of fat there!

[mhlmom]

Im not on biologics yet - probably ony a few weeks before they are added - but I inject methotrexate and my rheumy nurse said to use my belly as most people have a bit of fat there and anywhere below the belly button line (alternating left and right each week) it the best as there are considerably fewer nerve endings in that area. I pinch some fat (probably the ONLY good thing to come from carrying around a few extra pounds) in my left hand and inject with my right. Never felt the actual injection but the MTX stings a little afterwards for about 10 minutes. Might be worth trying your tummy...

[Jaxine in reply to mhlmom]

I've certainly got enough to pinch in the stomach area! Thank you

[Barb66]

Hi Jaxine I’m on Imraldi and it stings like hell! But apparently that’s because the base solution has citric acid in. I also alternate between thighs and tum and take it out of the fridge for at least 30 minutes but it still stings. I also thought it seemed an awful long time between the two clicks but that’s my 3rd injection done now. I inject methotrexate too and don’t feel that at all. I get my injections from hospitals at home and they phoned my last week after my third fortnightly injection and they were very helpful.

What’s not so good for me is that since I started injecting Imraldi I’ve had much more pain and feel exhausted. Are you feeling any benefit yet from your benpali injection?