Benepali injections

[JEM95]

Hi, I’ve been on Benepali injections for a couple of months now with great success 😀 I feel almost normal.

I’m getting in a bit of a pickle as I find the actual injection hurts - I have to give myself a pep talk beforehand (and a chocolatey reward afterwards!).

I’m no wimp. I inject methotrexate via Metoject and don’t bat an eyelid at that, I used to inject MXT by syringe with no issues either, but just the thought of the Benepali injection makes my palms sweat!!

Has or does anyone use an anaesthetic cream like Emla? Can anyone recommend a cream or a coping tactic?

Thanks for any advice 🙂xx

[helixhelix]

I find them a lot worse than the Metoject. I use an ice-pack wrapped in a flannel to cool/numb the area I’m going to inject. Usually my stomach so I can “pinch an inch”, and then it’s generally ok. But Ikm with you on not liking to do it!

[JEM95 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you, great tips - I’ll try the ice pack plus I’ll try the tummy. I usually do Benepali in alternate legs and MXT in the belly (I can pinch way more than an inch!!). I’ll try it the other way round x

[KittyJ]

I had big problems injecting in my thigh and just couldn’t make myself do it so changed to my stomach and although it hurts it’s nowhere near as bad as in my thigh ( the nurse reckons it was injecting in the muscle) Do you use your stomach? As HH says I’d try icing it beforehand if you haven’t tried that. It doesn’t need very long to take away the pain. I hope that helps you

[JEM95 in reply to KittyJ]

That’s interesting, thank you for that. I use my tummy for methotrexate, I’ll give Benepali in the tum a whirl, and icing too x

[KittyJ in reply to JEM95]

Let us know how you go 🤞🏻oh and I take mine out in the morning and inject in the evening 😊

[JEM95]

Thank you - that helps a lot knowing it’s not just me! I leave it out for at least 4-5 hours, I’ll try longer x

[Kerensa21]

creakyjoints.org/treatment/...

Hi Jem, I can remember them saying it’s something to do with citric they use as a base at a rheumatology update & wondered who thought that was good idea? 😐But see above as looks like citrate free ones being developed for humira & others, tho I know it’s a US site. I’ve found it’s improved as time goes on or maybe just got used to it? It’s more stingy than MTX was but far less side effects & works better for me. I do warm up under arm for 5 mins before use x

[JEM95 in reply to Kerensa21]

Thank you - I’ll try warming it up a bit! I do feel great taking it, it just hurts to do it!!

[Kerensa21 in reply to JEM95]

Same here, it is stingy just meant I hope they bring in something similar here 🤞x

[Dee1774]

My thighs are a no go area it was so painful. I just use tummy alternating sides totally different experience no redness no bruising and minimal pain.

[JEM95 in reply to Dee1774]

Thank you - I’ll definitely try the tummy. Methotrexate can go back to bring in my legs.

[HevJ]

It is painful! Like some of the others I just can’t do my thighs. I remove from the fridge a good few hours before I use. I pinch my stomach so tight it hurts that the pain doesn’t feel as bad when I inject! I do have to psych myself up, take a big breath then slowly release between gritted teeth while I count to 10!!!

[JEM95 in reply to HevJ]

Thank you. I’ll give the tummy a try.

[mbw159]

I do the benepali injection i çhangeed it to the syringe as I found the auto pen hurt more so why don't yiu give it a try ask your nurse to change it over it still hurts a little bit but not as much good luck love x

[JEM95 in reply to mbw159]

Thank you - that’s interesting about a syringe, I’ll investigate if that’s available from my provider. I had no problems with MXT syringes. Great news thank you!

[medway-lady in reply to mbw159]

I've just asked about the syringe today as its not about the sting but I find it really hard to push the plunger so a syringe, I thought, might be easier. My right hand is not very strong. It does sting a bit but over in seconds so I must be lucky at the moment. Or have fatty thighs too? lol

[Davy123]

Hi

I take it out of the fridge and leave it for about an hour, my partner then puts in inside her bra for about half an hour, this brings it up to body temp. I put a piece of ice on my thigh to freeze the part of my thigh for injection then inject right away. Maybe sounds a bit crazy but it worked for me. Used to be agony before I started doing this.

[JEM95 in reply to Davy123]

Ha ha! I’ll try the bra trick!! Il also give the ice a whirl. Thank you!

[Soundofmusic52]

Yes it do s hurt I leave it out of fridge for half hour and my partner stretches my tummy skin tight then I inject I find this is better for me good luck it’s worth the pain to stop the agony x

[JEM95 in reply to Soundofmusic52]

Thank you. I’ll try the tummy instead of the thighs. It’s definitely worth the pain to reap the benefits, it’s marvellous feeling almost fixed.

Everyone here has been so kind and helpful, I’ve got a short term fix (tummy) and longer term (syringes) solution.

[TPaine]

I changed to using the syringe and that's much better for me

[JEM95 in reply to TPaine]

Thank you - that’s what I will do too. Thanks for replying 🙂

[Taffsmum]

Hi,

I switched from Enbrel to Benepali a year ago and asked to stick with the syringe which I’ve always had as read the pen is a lot more painful. You have more control over injecting a syringe, I’d ask to switch x

[JEM95 in reply to Taffsmum]

Thank you. I’ll do that too! I had no problems with syringes before 🙂

[lbtabby]

Yup I switched to the syringe and that is a much better experience as I have control over the speed of the injection... phew !

[JEM95 in reply to lbtabby]

Fantastic! I’ll do that too - thank you for replying.

[JEM95]

A huge thank you to everyone who has replied. I’ve got some great tips 🙂 I also wasn’t aware Benepali comes in syringes too.

This is what I love about this forum - empathy, sympathy and great suggestions. Brilliant! Thanks everyone x

[Feank in reply to JEM95]

Oh... I wasn't aware it came in syringes either! I am new to this site and so pleased I joined, it is lovely to hear everyone's experiences and hot tips! This dreadful disease is a mine field. Stay well all. X

[JEM95 in reply to Feank]

It’s a brilliant place - I have learned so much, and everyone is just so lovely x

[Mandalou]

Hi JEM

As everyone is saying, give the tummy a try!

I used to be on Enbrel pens which hurt less but bled more, always in the thigh as that how the nurse taught me.

When I was switched to Benepali I found they bled less but stung far more. Really painful in the thigh.

On advice from here I tried my tummy and it’s brilliant. Works a treat so good luck and I hope Benepali continues to give you much relief.

Mx

[JEM95 in reply to Mandalou]

Super advice - thank you very much x

[Angjoplin]

Lol. Chocolatey treat. I do that too. 😁

[HamHammy]

I find the Benapali injections sore too and need to psych myself up beforehand. I thought it was the thickness of the needle but reading this it seems it's the content of the drug causing it? Leaving it out of the fridge for longer pre use can help but sometimes I find it doesn't.

[JEM95 in reply to HamHammy]

Thank you for replying. It’s interesting what you learn here. I’m so glad I asked.

[Feank]

Hi... Me too! Glad it's not just me.... I dread it... My husband says anyone would think I'm being tortured! I also do it in my thigh, alternate, can't bare the thought of the tummy area! It does work tho and for that it's worth the 20 secs of torture! Stay well.

[JEM95 in reply to Feank]

Thank you. I’m glad it’s not just me - I’m usually a tough old boot, but it’s the thought of doing it I’m struggling with! That moment just beforehand 😮

You are right though, the end result is worth the torture! (Plus the chocolatey treat helps!).

[HamHammy]

Yes. I have it lying there and I look at it and procrastinate over it then through gritted teeth do it. I have to hold my breath whilst doing. 20 seconds of torture then a bar of chocolate as a reward 😁

[HamHammy]

I do it in my thigh too. For some reason I can't bear the thought of doing it in my tummy either

[tovi]

I tried it, I also inject mtx. I let out a few swear words when I first injected, thought maybe I had just done it wrong, but it swelled up around the site and my whole body was really itchy....the next injection was exactly the same. So I have had to stop as having an allergic reaction to it....I'm going to be tried on something else that contains an anaesthetic.

[JEM95 in reply to tovi]

Sounds nasty. I often bruise but luckily that’s all. Good luck with your ‘something else’.

[Topps]

Hi Jem95

Afraid I found those injections very painful, as you say the liquid entering the body, and couldn’t continue. I too had no problem with two years of injections I gave myself daily with Terriparatide. Good luck.

[JEM95 in reply to Topps]

Thank you, it’s a relief that it’s not just me being wimpy. I’ll try some of the useful tips from the post - the benefits of Benepali are worth it. Take care.

[Susan55]

Ooo I’m so glad it’s not just me, these are very stingy , I inject into my thigh as daren’t inject into tummy I take it out in the morning warm it in my bra , ice my skin but it’s still so painful 😖 and seems to puddle under my skin, anyone else have this xx

[medway-lady]

I know this might seem odd but I did what everyone said left it out and yes it hurt, really stung. Anyway as my husband was about and I did find it hard to press plunger I did it after about 20 mins after leaving out. No pain at all so I wonder is leaving out a good idea. Since then I just put on side for a 20 minutes and go for it. So far so good. So might be worth a try.

[Knit12]

I’m on week 9 of Benepali. Got a prescription of that anaesthetic gel which is basically lidocaine. Tried that for the first 2. Now I take the injection out of the fridge a good 1 to 2 hours before. The last 10 mins I stick it in my arm pit so it warms up before I inject. I only inject in my stomach as there are more fatty bits there. Nothing on my legs so won’t do there. Works like a dream. Hurts more after the injection for about 30 seconds. Try it and let me know how you get on

[JEM95 in reply to Knit12]

Thanks for that, I’ll do exactly as you say and will report back. Did you find the anaesthetic gel helped at all? Thank you! x

[Knit12]

The gel gave me the courage first couple of times you need to put it on an hour before and cover with cling film but I must admit I haven’t used it since

[JEM95 in reply to Knit12]

Thanks. I’ll try without 😮 I’ll have to wear my brave girl pants!!

[JEM95 in reply to JEM95]

I popped the injection inside my bra for half an hour, and injected into my thigh again (I just couldn’t face doing it into my jelly belly). I think it actually helped a bit to have it at body temperature!

I also think it helped reading other peeps’ experiences with Benepali - I had a more positive attitude.

Thank you all x