Actemra Injection

[Blackcatlover]

I just gave myself my fourth Actemra injection with the automatic injector pen. The first three went perfectly. Just a small red dot at the site for about an hour with very little soreness. As I was giving this injection, the pen slipped a little but I moved it back and gave the injection. This time I have a large red itchy circle around the site. It doesn’t hurt but is very itchy. Have had this for three days. Has anyone else experienced this?

[SheffieldJane]

No, I haven’t experience the itchy injection site. I have however jumped while injecting causing the v. expensive fluid to fountain around my kitchen . The supplier replaced it without cost to me.

[Blackcatlover in reply to SheffieldJane]

So glad it got replaced. I’m injecting in my belly. I’ll try a new area next week and hope for a better outcome.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Blackcatlover]

My husband has become the expert with bustling efficiency, I have never seen this side of him. He injects alternate legs. No problems so far. Ready with a little round plaster.

[Rugger]

I'm injecting in my abdomen too and have had 27 injections so far. Just 2 of them have caused the same red, itchy area for a few days, before calming down. I do rotate the sites, but maybe it happens if we inject too close to a previous area. It's in the list of 'common' side-effects and nothing much to worry about, I imagine. ("Injection site reactions")

I hope you are finding the Actemra beneficial.

[Blackcatlover in reply to Rugger]

Thanks for your reassuring reply. The injections have kept my CRP and Sed rates extremely low. My first three injections were perfect. I used a site this time above my belly button that was not as fatty. I think I’ll stick with the giggly stuff.🥴

[Rugger in reply to Blackcatlover]

Avoid injecting where a waist band or belt will rub, which could be 'above your belly button'?

Yes, we've plenty to inject into - I couldn't bear to inject into my thigh - it would make me jump, like SheffieldJane!

[Longtimer in reply to Rugger]

I'm learning so much reading this, while waiting for my delivery of injections.......doctor said put into fatty area around belly button, changing the area on different days. My thighs are fairly slim, that's probably why he said injecting in the thighs may be painful....apparently I will see video know to do it when I get the package...

[Rugger in reply to Longtimer]

As alvertta says, avoid the area 2 inches all around your belly button, as we have more blood vessels in that area - presumably from when we were in utero!

[Longtimer in reply to Rugger]

Thank you......

[jarn in reply to Blackcatlover]

I change from side to side on belly and always away from "button".....into the jiggly stuff

[alvertta]

My nurse told me to circle around belly button. 2 inches away and do the equivalent on N S E W. so that’s what I plan to do. #2 on Saturday.

[Longtimer in reply to alvertta]

Thank you, will remember that.......

[Blackcatlover in reply to Longtimer]

I found the area below the belly button the easiest place to inject. When sitting it’s the easiest area to pinch. I started two inches out and think of my belly like a clock. Started at 12:00 then 3:00 and then 9:00. I’m skipping the area above my belly button because it doesn’t have as much fat. I’ll now move out three inches from 12:00, 3:00 and 9:00. It’s pretty easy if you have enough fat. I think I have a red itchy spot above the belly button because it was so hard to pinch that area. Good luck. Lots of videos out there to help.

[Longtimer in reply to Blackcatlover]

Yes, will be getting video details to access and watch..and I do have plenty of belly fat!!......I' m bumblebee shaped!..........never thought it would come in handy!..😏

[GratefulBailey]

I had the same red spot around the injection site but it wasn’t itchy. The pharmacist/educator for Actemra told me to avoid a 2 inch area around my belly button as Alvertta also said in her reply. I was also advised to take Benedryl an hour before the shot to avoid any itching - (no itching to begin with) - it certainly allowed me to have a great sleep that night!

I started having a lot of bruising the last few times so the pharmacist said to inject in the leg. No bruising and no red spot! Go figure!

[broomfield28]

I inject alternate legs and had a few weeks of red rings for a couple of days after injection. My Rheumatologist didn’t seem concerned. Not had it lately so don’t know if it was me or something to do with the batch. Just something else for us to get anxious about! No adverse effects though. Good luck.

[weatherman69]

I give Mac, Actemraa shot in his legs. I alternate. He hates shots so that we got lidocaine cream from doctor, and I also put a ice pack on leg while the shot warms up. He does not feell anything, and we have not had any red spots since we started that.

[scottygirl73]

Not had itch,but red ring and bit sore i inject into thighs it is bit painful think i try belly next time.xx

[Teekay2]

I have been using the pen for over a year now and the only signs I get are occaisional bruising around the injection site. I understand that this is because of the pred. A bit alarming at first as sometimes the bruising is upto 2 inches across. I don't know why nine times out of ten no bruising perhaps I pinch the flesh too hard.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Teekay2]

Or you catch a bit too close to a blood vessel - even little one can leak enough to take a bruise.

[jarn]

You must be injecting the leg. I experienced similar on the leg so have used my belly for the last 3months with no red/itchy spot. Feels easier too. Good luck

[Luciejc]

I have been taking Actemra injections weekly since March 2020. Began redness and itching on my 6th injection. Also had redness and itching on 7th and 8th shot. No more since May 1st. Hope the same for you! Good luck.