starting himira 😱: hi all as you all know I was due to... - NRAS

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starting himira 😱

Mybirthday1975 profile image
27 Replies

hi all as you all know I was due to start Himira 40 mg!but need to have test and things befor I could start,well the test are back and I’ve had the delivery it’s sat in my fridge I’m so scared to inject it!!!

Can anyone give me some encouragement,people who are on this medication I’m on metratrexate also!

I really need to take it!!help!!!🙏🏽

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Mybirthday1975 profile image
Mybirthday1975
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27 Replies
Runrig01 profile image
Runrig01

usually the delivery company organise a nurse to come and supervise the first injection, and ensure you don’t react to it. Has this not been organised for you

Mybirthday1975 profile image
Mybirthday1975 in reply to Runrig01

Hi thanks for replying!

No the nurses video called me and talk me through how to do it!but no one’s coming I need to do it myself 🤔

Seatgeorge profile image
Seatgeorge in reply to Runrig01

I agree with you I use benapali and had a lovely nurse came out and showed me,bit odd not coming round to check.PS thanks for your input as a nurse very helpful and much appreciated.

Mybirthday1975 profile image
Mybirthday1975 in reply to Seatgeorge

Thanks for replying 👍

virtualreality profile image
virtualreality

Hi there, I get how you feel - starting a new medication is often a bit nerve-wracking for me too. I started adalimumab a while back (different brand name but same thing essentially). So far the injections have been completely fine, so hopefully they will be for you too.

One thing I've found helpful personally with starting new medications and doing injections is watching YouTube videos of other people doing theirs - it's reassuring and makes it feel so normal. And you'll soon get used to it anyway. There's lots on there about adalimumab / Humira, here's a few: youtube.com/results?search_...

Do you have the injectable form of methotrexate? Because if you're doing those injections, you probably already know (and are doing) all the things you need!

Wishing you all the best with it. Let us know how you go!

Mybirthday1975 profile image
Mybirthday1975 in reply to virtualreality

Hi thanks so much for replying!

The metratrexate I’m on I inject 15 mg every week..it’s not the injection that’s worrying me it’s the side effects after I’ve done it!i’ll be waiting for them to start and every little twinge or pain I’ll think it’s the injection 😂

How was you after your injection did you get side effect’s?

virtualreality profile image
virtualreality in reply to Mybirthday1975

Very little by way of side effects - MUCH better than methotrexate! I think biologics often are better for side effects because they target a much more specific aspect of the inflammatory process than the conventional DMARDs.

Mybirthday1975 profile image
Mybirthday1975 in reply to virtualreality

Aww that’s good to know!did you inject your first one yourself or did an health professional do it?

Also do you find you pick up more infections since been on the biologic?

virtualreality profile image
virtualreality in reply to Mybirthday1975

I injected it myself, but had a nurse with me. Very straightforward! I haven't noticed any increase in infections so far :)

Mybirthday1975 profile image
Mybirthday1975 in reply to virtualreality

Thanks for replying 👍

virtualreality profile image
virtualreality in reply to Mybirthday1975

You're welcome. I hope it goes smoothly whenever you decided to start. Fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻

Madmusiclover profile image
Madmusiclover

When faced with situations like these I say to myself; ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’. In this case you might get it wrong (unlikely but just try again/ask for more advice), it might sting a bit (but not as much as RA hurts). Go for it!

Mybirthday1975 profile image
Mybirthday1975 in reply to Madmusiclover

Thanks for replying 👍

Haz58 profile image
Haz58

Hi My. I'm the same, absolutely hate any new meds and first taking them. I was told how to do my Benepali jab over the phone would you believe. I too was told a nurse would come and supervise the first jab in person but no she rang me! I was petrified the first time I did it. But it was all fine. I told my hubby if I start going weird in any way call 999, that's how scared I was. If you already I inject MTX then go for it pretend it's just another MTX.

I also watched a couple of videos which helped.

I've not had any more infections to speak of than I used to have before biologics and been on it since November last year.

Be brave it's a good feeling once you've done it I was so proud of myself. X

Mybirthday1975 profile image
Mybirthday1975 in reply to Haz58

Thanks for replying 👍

Geminix profile image
Geminix

Hiya I’m glad your test came back all clear & you can start this new drug I hope it works for you. I have a new drug to start also which is in my medical cupboard it’s so scary isn’t it.

I’ve been on Himira I found it helped slightly but my antibodies was fighting off the drug & my specialist changed me to cimiza which I had bad side effect so off we go again now on another journey & another drug meanwhile I’ve been in prednisone 10mg since the start of Covid so I really need to find a suitable drug so I can tapper down and get of these.

Good luck, ps I thought tablet form would be less daunting then an injection turns out I’m a baby lol

LisaJ42 profile image
LisaJ42

I always take it out of the fridge for a couple of hours to make sure it’s room temperature first. It shouldn’t sting then. I also inject in my tummy- I found it stings and bruises less than my thighs. It’s honestly fine. Don’t worry!! I’ve been doing it for about 3 years now. I’m MUCH better, practically back to normal!

CagneysMum profile image
CagneysMum

Hi

I inject 10mg methotrexate (with a pre loaded pen) and 40mg Amgevita (same as humira). Always inject in my tummy now as it stings less than legs and take the Amgevita pen out of the fridge an hour before I need to inject. Methotrexate is the stinger for me … no issues with Amgevita at all and now been taking it for 4 years. Started to make me feel so much better within 48hrs although the improvement began to fade before the next injection was due. It probably took a couple of months (4 injections in my system) before the improvements became continuous.

A massive game changer for me… wouldn’t be without it. Weirdly I probably have fewer infections, coughs, sneezes than I did before RA and I’ve had no side effects with Amgevita that I’m aware of. Good luck with yours 👍

My nurse told me to take the injection out the fridge 20/30’mins before injecting so that it’s not going in cold, apparently that hurts more. I also only inject in my stomach, away from belly button (again, both Rhemy nurse & home nurse suggestion as they say the thigh is much more painful - I’ve not tried the thigh). I’ve been injecting since September of last year and it’s only hurt twice. The first few times I took it felt dizzy and woozy, but fine the next day (nowhere near as bad as metho), so now I do my injection an hour or so before bed. Best of luck, it’s made a massive difference to my quality of life. I had one bad chest infection at the beginning of the year, but other than that fine. I’ve had these type of infections previously, but this time around dr we’re much more careful with me, insisting I go to a&e & had intervinous antibiotics, followed by more at by mouth at home. I don’t think this infection was any worse than previous ones, just the precaution and extra attention given by the doctors because of the meds I was on.

Pudding26 profile image
Pudding26

hello

I have been on Humira for about 6 years and it has worked so well for me

I take the injection out of the fridge to warm up for 5 mins then inject into my tummy

Very quick and only slight sting

Try not to overthink the doing of it.. just do it. After the first time it will be easy

It has transformed my life!

oldtimer2 profile image
oldtimer2

To re-inforce what others have said - take it out of the fridge for about 30 minutes beforehand. Inject into your stomach at least palm's width away from your belly button.

I press, hold for a count of ten (and then plonk a small plaster over it as I bleed from everywhere on the slightest injury). I've not had any side effects excepts for an increase in catarrh.

Injecting into your thigh is an option but most people find it more painful and more likely to bleed/bruise.

If you've been injecting Methotrexate, biologics are a doddle.

Mostmoses profile image
Mostmoses

I was similarly scared when I started my biologic, even though I had injected the mtx before. Like you, it wasn’t the injection that scared me; I was scared of side effects. Some practical advice: Inject during business hours and have your phone handy just on the very off chance you did need to call for help. Preparing for problems, even when they are very unlikely, may give you some extra peace of mind (well, it works for me, though everyone is different). I was lucky to be able to do my first injections at a doctor’s office (was still terrified because I had serious side effects from hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate). They had me stay for 30 minutes after the injection; I think if you feel ok for 20-30 minutes, it’s going to be ok. Finally,I am drug-sensitive to the point that dmards landed me in hospital, but the biologic has been gentle-I’ve had no problems with it, and wish you the same!

Evie3 profile image
Evie3

ice the area first….

Kgj2112 profile image
Kgj2112

My first was humira, it was easy to inject and worked for 4 years.it was the side effects of mtx I couldn't take.I have too drive an hour and a half for infusions, so doing humira at home was great lol

netballnow profile image
netballnow

I had a nurse visit for my first but actually did it myself with her watching. Never looked back since. Just make sure you have it out of:the fridge for 30mins before you inject. Take care

HeadInASpin profile image
HeadInASpin

Hi Mybirthday,I picked mine up today! It's now sitting in the fridge waiting for Monday (my preferred day). Good luck...I hope we both get the much needed relief that we need. Spin x

Alozz profile image
Alozz

Methrexate made my tired and a bit woozy. But nothing at all from Humira.

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