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New to shots (methotrexate)
- Thread starter Whit
- Start date
Hi Whit, my son started MTX shot recently, four weeks ago to be exact. He was confident up until the day of the shot came then he got fairly nervous. I told him we could have the GP nurse dot but he insisted on doing it himself. He's 17 and I was worried if the shot was unpleasant then I may have a hard time getting him to remain compliant.
He reclined back drew up the shot and just did. Fortunately it didn't hurt at all. It is a very fine needle and he said he could barely feel the injection. So it hasn't been an issue on shot day at all to get him to inject.
If you are worried enough about the first time you could have the nurse inject the first one. My son said the fear of injecting himself was worse than the actual shot and once he did it that first time the fear completely dissipated.
Good luck.
He reclined back drew up the shot and just did. Fortunately it didn't hurt at all. It is a very fine needle and he said he could barely feel the injection. So it hasn't been an issue on shot day at all to get him to inject.
If you are worried enough about the first time you could have the nurse inject the first one. My son said the fear of injecting himself was worse than the actual shot and once he did it that first time the fear completely dissipated.
Good luck.
My trick.. pinch the crap out of the area of the skin you are going to inject it into. Oh, and ice it first. Just remember you are braver than you think.!
Yup you have it. If I pinch hard before injecting the needle my daughter says she doesn't feel the needle.
Woo hoo! Way to go!
nogutsnoglory
Moderator
Inject in the fattiest portion of skin and don't wait too long because anticipation of pain is the worst.
PsychoJane
Moderator
Hi Whit,
It is really more scary than it actually is. The methotrexate is relatively painless to inject as opposed to other agents. Thankfully!
I would normally ice the skin then do my injection. The nurse will show you how but generally you have to pinch about 1 inch of skin with your non-dominant hand then you stab the needle in (preferably at 90 degree). Release the skin while keeping the needle fully insert then inject the methotrexate.
Obviously this is preceed by steps of proper cleaning (and feeling the syringe if you are not receiving pre-filled syringes).
You'll feel like a pro once you get it done (at the least that's how I felt)!
Good luck!
It is really more scary than it actually is. The methotrexate is relatively painless to inject as opposed to other agents. Thankfully!
I would normally ice the skin then do my injection. The nurse will show you how but generally you have to pinch about 1 inch of skin with your non-dominant hand then you stab the needle in (preferably at 90 degree). Release the skin while keeping the needle fully insert then inject the methotrexate.
Obviously this is preceed by steps of proper cleaning (and feeling the syringe if you are not receiving pre-filled syringes).
You'll feel like a pro once you get it done (at the least that's how I felt)!
Good luck!
nogutsnoglory
Moderator
Nausea does occur but your doctor will prescribe a daily dose of folic acid to help ease side effects. Ask the doctor to prescribe Zofran too to deal with nausea.
What was interesting about the whole thing for me was that it was not just giving myself a shot that bothered me but recognizing for the first time that Crohn's is a chronic disease and I'll be doing something like this forever. I'd been taking ineffective pills for two years and ending up in the hospital with obstructions and I guess I thought it would clear up. No luck there.
My new GI at University of Virginia Digestive health ordered a fluoroscopy which showed that the last four inches of my small intestine is were the narrowing exists. It is hard to believe that 4 inches can be the cause of so much pain. He suggested moving up a level in treatment and to try the methotrexate by shot so I guess now I'm finally aware and accepting.
The nausea may come later after another week or so. I'll be giving myself one shot each week and I am taking folic acid every day so I'll keep everyone posted as to side effects. Reading the information about methotrexate that came when I picked up my prescription was downright frightening but then so is what can happen if your small intestine perforates.
Thanks for the online support. It gave me the umph to get it done.
Best to all.
Whit
My new GI at University of Virginia Digestive health ordered a fluoroscopy which showed that the last four inches of my small intestine is were the narrowing exists. It is hard to believe that 4 inches can be the cause of so much pain. He suggested moving up a level in treatment and to try the methotrexate by shot so I guess now I'm finally aware and accepting.
The nausea may come later after another week or so. I'll be giving myself one shot each week and I am taking folic acid every day so I'll keep everyone posted as to side effects. Reading the information about methotrexate that came when I picked up my prescription was downright frightening but then so is what can happen if your small intestine perforates.
Thanks for the online support. It gave me the umph to get it done.
Best to all.
Whit
