Has anyone been told their abatacept pen will be changed to an injection syringe?
The rheumatology nurse rang today to inform me that due to a world shortage of abatacept pens the providers, forgotten the new name but they were Health care at Home, will be moving people into normal prefilled syringes. She asked if I was confident to self inject, when I queried getting some instruction she said the boxes come with an information leaflet😣. I'm not feeling too confident about using a syringe without someone showing me how so rather dreading the change. Luckily my sister in law is a midwife so hopefully she can instruct me or at least supervise a couple of times until I get some confidence.
I also asked about the CEV scheme for a PCR test and eligibility for treatment at home for Covid but she knew nothing about it. I do wish communication was better between government departments and those on the frontline.
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I have just started abatacept and was intended to use clickject pens but was given syringes due to shortages. I was nervous as with previous medications had used pens,
I was fortunate to have a nurse from healthcare at home come out for first injection. They were easy to inject and I have no qualms using despite my initial trepidation.
Good luck with injecting I’m sure you’ll be fine after first injection xx
When I started my Cimzia injections, the providers, who was Alcura at the time, sent one of their nurses to show me, and supervise my first two injections . She also offered to come round for the next one, but I was ok to do it by myself. I don't think I could have done it without help. I'm guessing they don't have the resources to send anyone 🤔I hope you can get some help xx
Oh dear, I hope someone can help you. My rheumy nurse did ask if anyone at home could help me but my hubby is needle phobic so that's definitely a no!😂....I am so proud of him conquering his fear to have all his Covid vaccinations to help protect me.
I'm just about to call the health care at home team to arrange a nurse to show me. I just got used to the epipen as it was super easy to use. Oh well. Apparently shortage is till March. This a joke.
Well done to your hubby. I know the feeling of fearing needles. Its no picnic in the park 😕
Have a lovely day and a very merry Christmas my lovely
Yes got a call yesterday from rheumatology nurse. It isn't a problem for me as I have used them before when I was on a different biologic. In fact I find them less painful than the pen. But then I also have diabetes so I'm used to needles and syringes. Hopefully you will get some tuition from the provider.
Very strange.No nothing from mine and I am expecting a delivery of the pen type ones tomorrow.I have done the others before so it won’t phase me but communication is bad as you say
I had 4 weeks of pens delivered last week and there was no mention of a change. They had reduced my last two deliveries from eight to four pens due to shortages so perhaps it isn't too surprising on reflection.
I started with needles (actually started with complete self assembly - needle, syringe and vial) and it is fine…. And I was terrified of needles. Take your time. I used the “pinch and inch” approach (I have plenty to pinch!) and that worked for me.
In the past I have used pens and syringes. I definitely prefer syringes, you have far more control. Hopefully your sister-in-law can reassure you about technique but it is very easy.
I asked to change from pens to jabs with Etanercept as could not push pen down. So have asked for syringe delivery for Abatercept as much easier to control and painless.
I'm awaiting delivery so I hope it works as well as Etancerpet but without causing the UTI's a 6 month course of Hyrex has been prescribed now . I've never heard of that so wait and see, Renal pharmacy say should be ok but get blood tests done after 7 days then 14 days and will catch up then. So many medications.
No my blood pressure is great, and its Hiprex for UTI sorry I spelt in wrong and it may not even be available anyway according to pharmacy. Just have to wait and see. Have a lovely Christmas. x
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