Benepali painful pen

[Diamondpainting]

I have recently started using the Benepali pen (8th week) and I find the injection excruciatingly painful (I have tried using Emla cream as I thought is was the from the 'collar' digging in) however, I have found it is actually the medication going in that causes the problem. I do leave the pen our for a few hours before using it. What I find strange is that the stinging and pain lasts most of the day. I inject into my upper thighs. Has anyone else experienced this? I now dread my injection day!

[Paula-C]

I inject enbrel, Benepali is the biosimilar of it. I always take mine out of the fridge the evening before injection day. Have found its doesn't sting so much if I inject into my tum, it really did sting when I injected into my thigh.

[Diamondpainting in reply to Paula-C]

Thank you for your reply Paula. I used to inject my MTX into my tummy and thighs, I don't know why I am reluctant to inject into my tummy! I will have to try though as I literally can't sleep the night before my injection as I dread it so much. When you inject into your tummy do you still need to pull the skin taut?

[Paula-C in reply to Diamondpainting]

I use pre filled syringes, when I went on enbrel I was already injecting mtx. My specialist nurse told me to use the syringe type and not the pen because I was already injecting mtx via a syringe. She told me that with the pen type it's wham bang in you, but with the syringe you've got more control of the drug going in, can inject it a lot slower to lessen the sting, sometimes I don't feel a thing, I pinch up some skin, stick the needle in, immediately let go and start to inject. I'd consider asking to be switched to pre filled syringes to see if this lessens the sting, I know if others who have and found it more comfortable.

[Diamondpainting in reply to Paula-C]

Thank you - I will see if Sciensus will change the pen to a syringe

[Paula-C in reply to Diamondpainting]

I think you need to speak to your Rheumy team it's them that issue the prescriptions.

[Diamondpainting in reply to Paula-C]

Oh okay - thank you!

[medway-lady]

Yup I felt it was a bit more than painful so swapped to a jab and its painless. The needle is tiny and you don't feel it going in at all, and you can slowly control how the medication goes in. Ask to try to a needle before giving it up and if that doesn't help then it might be best to ask for something else. Best of luck.

[Barrister]

Certainly less painful in the tummy.

[Runrig01]

I’ve been injecting benepali for 5yrs. In the early days I had a couple of bad experiences injecting into my thigh. I now always use my stomach and it’s completely painless. In milder weather I take it out at bedtime and leave it on bedside table overnight and inject when I wake. As long as it stays below 25 degrees it’s fine for up to 14 days. In summer I obviously can’t do that, so take it out an hour before use. I seriously have no pain at all in administering these days. Hope you find a solution.

[Deeb1764]

Oh I hated doing my thigh so moved to my tummy and it was so much better I could not believe the difference!

[KittyJ]

Yes it is painful even thoughI take mine out all day but it’s only for a short time after. I’d speak to your rheumy nurse as when I injected into my thigh I was injecting into the muscle which was agony and I, like you dreaded doing it. If you’ve not got much fat on your thigh maybe this is happening to you? Worth checking. I now do it in my tummy which still hurts but not anywhere near as bad as the thigh. The pain is worth it.

[Diamondpainting in reply to KittyJ]

Thanks KittyJ - I think I have fat thighs ,lol, but maybe it all flops to the side when I am sitting down.

😜

[swoodge]

I'm so pleased I read this as I use Benepali and I find it excruciating in the thighs but I feel a bit queasy about injection in my tummy for some weird reason. I'm going to try again and if not will go with the injection syringe I think. Thank you for all your help, I too dread injection day

[Diamondpainting in reply to swoodge]

My husband and I both thought I was being a wimp as injections don't usually faze me at all!

[swoodge in reply to Diamondpainting]

Hi me either and I've followed directions re leaving it out first and I've had loads of injections before having had IVF 3 times so no problems with pain!! I think it must be the into muscle thing and also its so fast! I often feel the pain down my leg into my ankle and sometimes weirdly up my arm!! I just assumed its me! Definitely going to go for the stomach again and Woman up and go for it!! Hope all goes well for you x

[Marionfromhappydays]

As a side note the fact you have to push the pen down rather than pressing a button (metoject is much better designed) i find quite rubbish and especially when you've got rubbish grip strength it can be a struggle (i think im a bit grumpy today ha ha ) .

I do it in my tummy, did use to do in my thighs but as you say it comes a bit tight ! So switched to tummy and its ok 👌

[Diamondpainting in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

My husband did it the first time and put all his weight behind it - I cried! I thought it would be like the Metoject pen which is why I went for it. I have left a message with my rheumy hoping she will change it to the syringe to try out. And you are allowed to be grumpy lol. I threw my husband out of the bedroom this afternoon for crunching too loudly! Some days it is just too much!

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to Diamondpainting]

😅 crunch is way too loud get out

[Diamondpainting in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

😂

[Monkeysmum]

Hi Diamondpainting. I hate the sting too, switched to tummy a while back which is much better but now I am injecting methotrexate as well so trying to share it around a bit more! I have found applying an ice cube to the thigh for a few mins before injecting reduces the sting a bit sometimes, it’s still there but less severe. Xx

[Bethany02]

The pens are mean the end of the clunk when it finishes is what hurts the most it's so hard I would much rather use a normal syringe 💉 and small needle. The thump at the end is always sore and holding it in for 10 seconds post is also sore. Manufacturer please note the strength of that spring is awful please feel free to have a go!!!

[Hidden]

Stomach/side of abdomen better with injection pen sitting out at room temperature for a bit before (for me 15 mins) I found it sore at first but generally ok now. Agree with Bethany - the clunky bit at the end is still sore. 🌼