Anxiety with Humira

[Jo137]

I've been having major anxiety lately with taking my Humira injections. I take one every two weeks and also take eight Pentasa tablets a day. I've been on Humira for about five months now. My loading dose (four in one day) went really badly and hurt a lot. An IV nurse then came two weeks later to do two more and I was fine, it's just been recently I've been getting really bad panic attacks and shaking uncontrollably. Tonight my mum went to do it but as she pressed the button I flinched and the needle didn't connect with my skin and no medication went in. I also messed up last nights injection as that was meant to be my Humira day.

I'm wondering if anyone else experiences these symptoms and how to overcome them? I've read that some people get their nurse to do it for them which I am seriously considering since I cannot do it myself or let anyone I know do It for me. I am also wondering if anyone who has previously been on the pen and switched to the syringe found it easier to cope with?

 

[Clash]

My son was on the pen and switched to the syringe. He said it's a bit less painful. He also has a prescription of lidocaine that he adds to the syringe of humira which also helps.

Distraction is one technique. Have someone ask questions you have to think about to respond to (not yes or no questions). Some people distract with TV or music.

You can leave the humira out to reach room temperature. My son usually takes it out 30 mins before shot. Also you can ice the area for some time before the shot which can number the area.

 

[Layla]

I also switched to the syringe and I find it a LOT easier. I can't do the pens anymore, my partner has to do it for me, but I have no problems with the syringe at all.

As Clash said, it hurts slightly less but it really cuts down on anxiety at you can't really screw it up and there is no click to make you jump.

Give it a try you have nothing to lose.

 

[Kat123]

I was starting to get nervous with mine, though not so bad anxiety as you are describing - I'm sorry that you are having that. I went to see the IBD nurse and she did it once for me and taught me to pinch up the flesh when I inject which helps to keep the pressure on so I don't lift the pen up too soon. You should definitely see the nurse as they really are happy to help you with your injections. Maybe if she did it a few times for you, you could get more confident doing it yourself again.

I also use the loud music on headphones that someone on here suggested. I have the same song each time and press the button at the same place of the song. Perhaps that would be more anxiety-forming, but for me it's like right I'm going to do it now! Most of the time it doesn't hurt or only a tiny sting, but it's still hard to press that button! xx

 

[Jo137]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I will be keeping all of these in mind! I will be phoning on Monday to let them know what happened and that I'm considering switching to the syringe. That does sound like it will be a lot less stressful for me!

 

[Kat123]

Good luck