Actemra

I have had 5 doses so far.I find the injector pens are very painful as fluid goes in.

Do other people find this?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How long before the injection do you take the injection out of the fridge? The warmer it is, the less it hurts. Do you inject in your stomach or the thigh?

I use the pre-filled syringes and inject into my stomach - they don't hurt at all.

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

Exactly what I was going to share, it really hurts when it’s cold.

[Frewen1 in reply to PMRpro]

that’s interesting- I use straight from the fridge because I thought I was supposed to!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Frewen1]

Weren't you taught how to use it? I had a session with the nurse, sent down to the hospital pharmacy to pick it up and then she told me to take one out and then go and make a follow-up appointment and then by the time I got back and she showed me how it would be warmed up.

[Frewen1 in reply to PMRpro]

that’s so interesting! Yes I was taught how to use it, but no one said anything about temperature. Just best places to apply. So would you say get to room temperature first? thanks as usual for your advice…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Frewen1]

Dad2Cue has quoted from the manufacturer's blurb in a reply to me just below

[Frewen1 in reply to PMRpro]

xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Frewen1]

PS - you have up to a few hours to use it I think, Must look ...

[JuneWalker in reply to Frewen1]

I use the self injection Actemra. I take it out of the fridge a half hour before injecting. As told to me by the pharmacist and in the pamphlet, “ if it is injected cold it would hurt”.

[Frewen1 in reply to JuneWalker]

shall do that! Though as I say, I haven’t had a problem. But I’ll do it anyway

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

45 minutes

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thigh. Take it out of the fridge 45 mins before.

[Frewen1]

hi there, no I can’t say I feel it much … I began by sticking the needle into my thigh, now I inject into a usefully fat part of my stomach.. (Pred weight gain has some use, I guess!). I can’t say I really feel anything…I do always feel squeamish, but then the reality isn’t really a proble. Are you pressing too hard when you depress the plunger? I find that’s a bit of an “ouch” moment..

Good luck x Karen

[Grammy80]

No pain here, wish the same for you. I was shown at the doctor's office and watched a few YouTube videos. I do it in the thigh (room temp). I pinch some skin and place the pen there, but as soon right after press the pen, I let the skin go and count to ten. Hope some of this helps. It really shouldn't hurt. One month I got syringes😮 ....back to YouTube. I love the pen!!!💞

[JuneWalker in reply to Grammy80]

same here

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Thank you

[Sophiestree]

You should have had a nurse to show you how to administer it for your first one. It needs a minimum of 30 minutes to warm up, you then pinch the fatter part of your stomach and administer at a 45° angle and inject slowly, wait a couple of seconds once emptied and then release slowly. It really shouldn't hurt. Hopefully next time will be better.

[strawclutching]

I got my first batch delivered yesterday and injected an hour later before they went in the fridge. I had no demo from anyone. I think because I already use an insulin pen they assumed I'd know, but the Actemra pen is very different to use. The opened out sheet of instructions is big enough to cover a single bed! Even though it wasn't fresh from the fridge it still hurt - front of thigh, pinched skin as directed. My hand was shaking, then I read one of the side effects 'anaphylactic shock, (fatal)' which I'm trying to scrub from my brain. Presumably that would be immediate, and seeing as how I woke up this morning, I didn't suffer from that one. Phew!

[Rugger in reply to strawclutching]

I thought I might use my 24 huge sheets of paper to paper the walls, but then decided better of it!

[strawclutching in reply to Rugger]

Not the best of interior designs I reckon.

[jarn in reply to strawclutching]

Yes, think anywhere but the stomach, can hurt a bit; tried the leg ONCE. It felt spotty for a week after, so tried the stomach (soft rolls) and ever after no pbm. Try it

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jarn]

I have to admit to being a bit bemused at the leg idea - bit dodgy with nerves for amateurs! I've used that very convenient abdominal padding for heparin jabs for many years.

[jarn in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, only tried the leg once for first jab and it itched for weeks. Was happy to read somewhere that our muffin tops were perfect and I just alternate sides of the bulge!

[strawclutching in reply to jarn]

Stomach would be my first choice, however I've been using that area for insulin injections for 40 years, and more frequently since using pred as the diabetic control fluctuates quite a lot. Maybe I can find some fat elsewhere. Can't help but feel I'm running out of suitable puncture zones.

[jarn in reply to strawclutching]

HaHa. Don't give up. I do alternate sides of the tummy bulge.

[Rugger]

Definitely 'warm' it up before you inject. On the huge piece of paper in the box of pens it states ".... let the pre-filled pen warm up for 45 minutes to allow it to reach room temperature. If the pre-filled pen does not reach room temperature, this could cause your injection to feel uncomfortable and it could take longer to inject."

I always used my stomach and rotated the sites from week to week, avoiding a couple of inches away from my navel, where there are more blood vessels. Don't worry if you get an occasional bruise, if you happen to hit a tiny blood vessel. The bruise reminded me to avoid that side the following week! You could have a system of times on a clock face or points of the compass to remind you of your rotation.

I had 2 years of the drug and felt really good on it. During that time, I was able to reduce my pred to zero. I hope it suits you too.

[Frewen1]

right, got it, thanks both

[PMR2011]

agree with others, I take mine out just before dinner, then inject after dinner. I always use my abdomen as fund that easier. I pinch a large bit of waist about 2-3 inches from my navel, insert needle quickly perpendicular to the skin while still pinching then inject slowly. Once syringe is empty releasing the skin usually causes the needle to come out. Been on it for 3 yrs, alternate sides each week, never a problem. Oh, in the beginning I might get a small hive just at the site the day after. Itched a bit, but that’s all. Good luck, you do get used to the squeamishness just before injecting.

[Preacherball]

Agree with all that has been said regarding allow the syringe to warm. I inject weekly on top of my thigh and have not had any problems.

[scottygirl73]

You should take it out of fridge 45 mins before using it, i found it could be bit sore but only lasts short time good luck.xx