Choice of Humira vs Remicade - I hate needles!

[Jane]

Hi all -

I recently had an MRI done and my GI doctor strongly suggests that I move up to a biologic - either Humira or Remicade. He seemed to suggest that Remicade may work better because it is an infusion, but that it is very inconvenient (Can't self-dose).

I am trying to decide between the two. One issue I have is that I HATE needles. Because I have so many blood tests over the years I have trained myself to be pretty good at that. I'm not so good when I get an IV line put in for colonoscopies (I get faint if I think about it).

Which will I hate more? Injecting myself every 2 weeks or sitting for 2-4 hours through an infusion?

Any advice?

 

[copeland]

I've only done Remicade, so I can only speak about that.

The infusions aren't bad, usually I just read or take a nap during the ~3-3.5 hours it takes. They generally give me a Benadryl beforehand (in case of infusion reactions) which makes me pretty sleepy.

They do have to place an IV line for the infusion, which is basically needle, so there is that. But it's also less frequent than Humira, so there's that too.

 

[KayleighMeek]

Hello,

It's always a tough choice to make especially if you are scared of needles it makes it even more so.
I don't have a fear of needles and have tried both medications I dealt with remicade a lot better because it was a long gap between each one and the only thing to worry about was the sharp scratch at the begining.
I struggled with humira after I had been on it a while and went through a stage where I did become really agitated before having to inject myself with the pen. The humira injection hurt a lot more than the IV but there are things you can do to improve it, a lot of people ice the area before and leave the pen out of the fridge for at least 10mins. How have you dealt with injections in the past? I did get used to it again and it was more convenient not having to miss half a days work to have the infusion.

Hope this helps a bit x

 

[nogutsnoglory]

You might find the Humira pen easier because you don't see the needle. It does sting though since you are injecting all the medicine in under 10 sec.

 

[PsychoJane]

I have not done Remicade but I chose the humira for the "convenience" at first. I was projecting the possibility of leaving my province for a few months and working in distant area so I was assuming that the IV story of Remicade could pose a problem eventually. I have to agree on the aspect that Humira does hurt but you indeed don't see the needle when you choose the pen. If you have issues with the "click" of things like sugar blood test, you might not enjoy that aspect either. The sound of it may impress at first.

 

[ryansbronco]

with any infusion or needle work it is all about the nurse
I am lucky the my vampire team could hit a vein bildfolded.
For me the best part is a solid four hour nap. My IC has wireless internet cable tv muchies. You can bring a friend or two and play board games.
after a while you will get use to getting poked
now I dont even feel more than a pinch

 

[Lisa]

I'm ok with needles, but the thought of having to inject myself every couple weeks vs. every 2 months sitting around for a few hours...well...I like the sitting around.

Also, I get my bloodwork drawn at the same time, so there is just the one stick - so if you have regular labs, you actually can cut down on the number of needle sticks.