Changing over to MTX injections!

[Loulou]

Been to see my Consultant today and unfortunately my RA does not seem to be under control. Therefore he has decided to up my MTX dose to 20mgs and to change over to injections. I am back there next Tues learning how to do them myself. Only hoping it is not as bad as I am imagining!

[Loulou]

Whoops silly phone! Obviously should be Mxt!

[emandedmum]

I'm on 20mg injections and it's easier than you think to do it yourself and they will hopefully watch you do your first dose to make sure it goes well. Injections work more effectively because they're not lost during the transit through your body, you get nearer the actual dose which is obviously better for controlling your RA. Good luck, be thinking of you next week! Jo x

p.s I still get my OH to do my injections and I'm sure if you just can't get the hang of it the district nurse could do it for you?

[Loulou in reply to emandedmum]

Hi Jo. Thanks for that. My Consultant said about them being more effective so hopefully I will see better results. I will let you know next week how it went. I am not against injections just a bit suprised to be doing them myself. But as you say if I can't get the hang of it I can get the Nurse to do them for me.

Claire x

[Tiasteph]

Hi Loulou

the first injection is the hard bit as it's so alien!

I'm no longer on MTX, but have been injecting myself for 7 years, I now do biologics. Your tummy is the best place, unless you have a nice flat one! I knew I had a muffin for a reason lol. I used my thighs for ages, scared of my stomach.

Good luck

[Loulou in reply to Tiasteph]

Yes it is the probably the first one I am worried about! Got visions of me jabbing myself and then flinching with the shock! Didnt even think about my tummy and sadly I don't have a nice flat one so there would be plenty of padding. Think I would probably go for my thighs cos tummy scares me too. Thank you x

[lulul]

Hiya!!

I was in exactly the same position and I was terrified as I am a long standing needle phobic. 7 weeks later I am doing the injections myself at home ! I have had problems with diarrhoea but the dr's are monitoring that and I am due to start anti tnf soon so more injections!! The needle is very fine and you will be ok. The nurses will train you and only let you 'loose' when you are competent to do t yourself. Good luck x

[Loulou in reply to lulul]

Hi. I am quite scared to be honest. Always been terrified of needles but have got used to having bloods taken, steroids, etc, but injecting yourself is a whole new ball game isn't it? Sure I will be fine when I actually get round to doing it myself. Thanks x

[Hidden]

Hi, you will be fine, does sound daunting I admit but once you've done it yourself you'll wonder what all the fuss was about!

You will learn to do the injection in a quick sharp stab! this helps to cut down on bruising and most of all it won't hurt so much. The main benefit of course is it will be better all round, less side effects and you get the full dose straight into the system, whereas with the tablets some of the dose is lost.

Take care and good luck

Mandyxx

[Loulou in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mandy. It is very daunting but I am sure I will be fine. Just cant imagine sticking a needle into myself at the moment. I am still really suffering with hands and feet despite 3 months on tablets so I am hoping the benefits outweigh the injecting part! Thank you. Claire xx

[Hidden in reply to Loulou]

Just a thought and I know everyone is different but injecting the thigh is sometimes more painful has it's a harder muscle! The tummy area is the best has it's just flab,well mine is anyway! lol

You will eventually find the right place to suit you, good luck and let us now how you get on.

Mandy xx

[emandedmum in reply to Hidden]

Whenever they say to try my thigh it makes my toes curl - knew my wobbly tummy would be useful one day x

[LavendarLady]

Hi Loulou. good luck with the injections. I had to go to my GP practice for the first 4 weeks and the practice nurse showed me how to do them and then supervised whilst I did them. Bit daunting at first but now so used to it, just stick the needle into my midriff and poof, all over and done with in seconds. Occasionally give myself a bruise under the skin through hurrying the injection but the nurse told me it was nothing to worry about. Sorry to hear you are having such trouble with hands and feet. It was my hands which first triggered the RA off for it to be diagnosed a.lthough I had trouble with my feet for some weeks before that. I was on various tablets for 6 months, then put onto MTX and finally onto anti TNF after about 18 months. Still get flare ups and my MTX dosage fluctuates up and down as a result with my consultant trying different doses depending on how many flare ups I'm getting. Hope all goes well. LavendarLady

[Hidden]

Hi Loulou

I injected for a while and it was really fine. If you have a bit of a tummy id say go for that as you dont even feel it . ( i didnt ) its better to inject and avoid tummy upset with methotrexate tablets ( I also suffered with that )

Good luck

fi

[badar]

Hello Loulou

The methotrexate injection is now available in a pre-filled syringe called Metoject. It is supplied in a box with 2 sterile wipes. The needle is very small and the body of the syringe is designed with wings to make is easier for people with RA to use.

The following website as all the information:

medicines.org.uk/EMC/medici...

I hope that this is of help to you.

Good luck with it

David