Does Humira injections really hurt?

[Nomis1234]

I have Crohns Disease and I am currently not in remission. I am going to be living abroad in the summer so my doctor advised that I start humira before I go and self inject myself whilst I'm gone.

I am very anxious about this as After researching humira online I can see that most people report that injecting humira is extremely painful. However, I watched a lot of YouTube videos of people injecting humira and none of them reacted like it was painful at all so I'm confused. What is the truth, does it hurt or not?

Also, I read that humira has to be kept cold at all times. How is it possible to travel with it? And do you think it's a good idea to be starting humira under my circumstances? I feel like it's going to be a huge hassle travelling with it and brining myself to inject it every two weeks. But let me know what you think.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[lenny]

The hassle and pain is why we chose Remicade. Which our son starts tomorrow.

Although, my daughter has a friend in his 20s who has Crohn's and has been greatly helped by humira and recommended our son try it, but right now our son is just not that together.

I read that it feels like a wasp sting and only hurts really bad for about 5 seconds..

 

[Crohns08]

It stings a little, like a normal shot. It helps if you let the pen sit for 15 minutes so it's not so cold and closer to room temperature. Also wait for the alcohol to dry because that can make it burn more if you do it right after swabbing your skin. I also found doing it in my stomach hurt less than my thighs but you won't have a choice for your first loading dose.

 

[edentenley]

Oh yes....it stings and burns going in. I didn't notice a difference letting it set out, but other people have. And then I usually get a very tender bruise at injection site.

BUT....its an amazing drug that has helped me immensely. Totally worth the pain, in my case.

 

[Fernando1]

Have not experienced any pain. With the Epipen the needle is much thicker so it hurts a little. With the syringe I grab fat from my stomach and put the needle in, goes in very smooth, almost no sensation at all.

 

[Chester31]

My son uses the pen. He lets it warm up for about 30 minutes before use. He was told by the nurse not to use the alcohol wipes as they make it hurt more. He says it hurts a little but is over in seconds. No bruises/marks afterwards.

 

[Maya142]

My daughters both said it burned when injected. That said, they got used to it and it worked well for both of them. They used ice before and after the shot. People say that the pen is more painful than the syringe because with the syringe you can control rate (we never tried the syringe though because my daughters didn't want to see the needle).

Good luck!

 

[zasmn]

The needle part does not hurt at all, it is the medicine that hurts a lot. *note I am underweight, so I don't really have much body fat to inject the medicine in, and I use the pen* Injecting the medicine kind of feels like a punch to the stomach or leg, and since the needle is not what is causing the pain you may even feel a slight increase in the pain when the needle is taken out. The pain does not last forever I found it goes away in around 10-15 minutes, but I stop noticing it within minutes if I have something to distract me with. But, I have found if you bump your injection site that day it again feel like a punch to the area, however, the pain goes away really quick. I have been taking Humira for over a year and have not gotten used to the pain. I mean, for me it is totally worth it, but I have not noticed any decreased pain since the first time.

I have yet to travel with it, but the company that sends them to me (I am in the USA) said they could send a free travel container for them when I need it. But, I don't think you could backpack with the medicine without having to inject the first night because you would not have any replacement ice packs.

 

[Roxymusic]

I have been on Humira (every 2 weeks) almost 2 months and switched from Remicade (every 8 weeks). Convenience - I spend about 4 minutes with the overall injection process. Sometimes less. Remicade was always 3+ hours, then dealing with the steroid given with it by taking benadryl for 3 nights, plus the fact I don't have to take off work. advantage Humira by a mile 16 minutes (4 injections in 8 weeks ) to 3 hrs for same time period (8 weeks ) Pain - I received my Remicade in the hands because arm veins went hiding long ago. My nurses were excellent in finding veins but even at that they would miss some. 4 sticks by me for 10 seconds each vice 1 stick sometimes 2 for Remicade is pretty much a wash. Travel - package inserts and my Humira ambassador Aaron says Humira can be left out for up to two weeks as long as it isn't in the sun/light so travel abroad shouldn't be an issue. They ship mine 2 at a time over a week in advance. Everything about Humira that I have run across is very professional. And for me it is working. So did Remicade for a number of years. Don't be afraid to try this stuff!

 

[DougUte]

The injection pain is there, but it is gone in about 10 seconds. Humira has put me in remission for almost 4 years now. I take the pen out of the refrigerator 1 hour before injection. Room temperature makes the pain less. But I will gladly take the medicine and suffer the 10 seconds of pain, over having active Crohns.

I have not taken Humira on an overseas flight, but I have used the travel pack on road trips. The travel pack holds 2 ice packs. The Humira is stored in between the packs. I thought the travel pack did a good job of keeping the medicine cool.

 

[AuburnKelly]

I took Remicade for about 6 years and it stopped working. 4 hours every 6 weeks in my doctors office and an IV. Missed a half day of work every month for it. This wasn't great, but I was doing well until it stopped working. On Humira now. 1 pen injection every 2 weeks. At home, no doctors office. Much better and it's working. I'm back to feeling good again. It does hurt quite a bit but only for about 10 seconds. I leave mine out for about an hour before I take it and I do notice a difference. I let the alcohol dry before I inject. It's so worth it! I haven't traveled with it, but I'm thinking an ice pack will do the trick.

 

[mtborn52]

Yes!!!!! The longer your on the more it hurts....but it works in that it lessens the severity of my disease. I've had over 100 shots. I was on Remicade for 5 yrs and the shots are so much easier. Mind you I'm not in remission but then the disease was with me a long, long time before medicines were available. Like one of the people said, let it warm a little and really freeze the area. I rotate legs. Arm didn't work and I hate shooting into my abdomen....probably due to all the scarring. ( 18 surgeries) Good Luck!

 

[KHCD5]

It does sting a bit, but I don't have much fat in my legs or abdomen. I have to mentally psych myself up for them. I would say it is much less of a pain than sitting for 7 hours in a hospital for a Remicade infusion. It will wake you up for sure, sometimes it doesn't hurt much at all and sometimes it stings a lot.

 

[BlueSky]

A Humira nurse gave me a trick for the injectable pen that helped a lot. Press down making a small depression in your skin before hitting the button. Then try to maintain the pressure as you hit the button and through the shot.

In other words, don't allow the pen to bounce up when you hit the button or "kick back." That creates a double stick situation or puts the injection to high creating burning.

I found that with a 10 sec injection there was a little burning on occasion for 2 seconds. Not bad at all in my case.

 

[Pilgrim]

My four year old can handle it. She seems to hurt for about 5-7 seconds. I would cautiously say that she is in remission due to Humira.

 

[dglazer]

Yes, it does hurt, much like others have said, like a bee sting....but that's only for 10 seconds or so...and then the pain is gone. I have been on Humira for almost 2 years and the good effects of it far outweigh the few seconds of pain. I always have a moment where I have to take a deep breath and then do it...I know it's counter intuitive to give yourself a shot but I think you'll find it's worth it! Good luck!!

 

[Katie127]

I would agree with the others, it stings as the medication goes in, but wears off after about 15 seconds or so for me. It's well worth being healthy though. I spent about two years trying different medications before I got on humira. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[bkpop]

It's not completely painless, but you'll pick up some tricks.

I haven't been on Humira long (tomorrow will be my 4th dose), but I've definitely learned a few things already. Also, I finally bothered to look over the insert that comes with the pens. The company recommendation is that you move further away from your belly button if you choose stomach. Closer to the middle definitely stings more. Also, at least for me, the lower part of my stomach has been more painful each time - higher I barely felt it, but lower was not pleasant. (I did my 1st 4 shots all in my stomach in a big square.)

The info. sheet also says make sure the alcohol swab dries, but don't blow on it (germs?). If you don't let it dry it will increase the sting.

Also, some advocate icing the area beforehand to lessen the pain (even my pharmacist did), but icing the spot ahead of time was bad for me. This last go round I iced and did the shot in my leg both for the first time, and the injection site swelled up like a giant bug bite - it was tight and sore (almost like the medication just stayed under my skin), the bump was there the whole day, and then the next day I had a silver-dollar sized bruise. My stomach shots had no swelling and only tiny bruising, if any, afterwards. Tomorrow I'm going to try my other leg without the ice to see if it still swells without the ice.

I have not tried taking the pen out of the fridge ahead of time.

I also need to figure out the details of traveling with a pen because I will be going on a road trip soon.

 

[DougUte]

I also need to figure out the details of traveling with a pen because I will be going on a road trip soon.

Abbvie should have sent you the Humira starter kit, which includes a travel pack. In the travel pack comes two ice packs. Freeze them and when leaving on your trip just put them in the sleeves in the travel pack and the humira pen goes in the space between them. Should be good for several hours.

 

[mamalana]

I began my Humira journey today, and I must say- all four injections were almost laughable! Yes, there is a bit of stinging and some soreness, but nothing like what I expected! I was slightly fatigued, but that's nothing as I am also quite anemic. Other than that, I've been going along as usual. I hope all is well!

 

[Sef0912]

I use the syringes and prefer to inject lower on my stomach, below scarring. Sometimes I can find a spot in between scar tissue and it doesn't really feel like anything, but other times it burns for a while. Overall, though, the benefits to me outweigh the pain/burn and the risks. I do agree with others to leave the pen or syringe out for a while to warm to room temperature, as this helps to decrease the sting of the medicine going in. I do not prefer to ice, because as someone else stated, this causes the injection site to swell for me and for me to bruise. I also prefer not injecting into my thigh, even though I have more cushioning there, because to me that is painful. I think you have to find the place to inject that is good for you and you will figure out different tricks that help you along the way.

 

[orangesunflower]

This is my second no sting injection since I started a year ago and I just had to share. After a year of having my Humira shot sting, I learned to leave the pen out at room temperature for the day. No sting then! Humira can stay out of refrigerator for 14 days and it says this in information package I receive with each shipment. After that though it needs to be tossed. I used to leave it on counter for 30 minutes and that was not long enough. I am thrilled!!

 

[mish2575]

This is my second no sting injection since I started a year ago and I just had to share. After a year of having my Humira shot sting, I learned to leave the pen out at room temperature for the day. No sting then! Humira can stay out of refrigerator for 14 days and it says this in information package I receive with each shipment. After that though it needs to be tossed. I used to leave it on counter for 30 minutes and that was not long enough. I am thrilled!!

I'll have to look at the Cimzia insert to see if i can leave that one out longer too. Thanks!

 

[orangesunflower]

You are welcome! It sure makes a huge difference.

 

[onolox]

Put something frozen in the area for a few minutes before apply the sting helps a lot.
Hold the injection for a few minutes in hand while applying the ice pack before applying also help.
Wait for the alcohol to evaporate is essential.
Inject veeeery slowly, if it hurts, wait, it will settle down, continue pushing.

This makes the injections a cakewalk.

 

[Late]

If you inject into fat it does not hurt. If you are super skinny and inject into muscle it will burn/sting for a bit.

 

[jerseygirl66]

Just started last week with my first four starters -- one in each thigh the other two in my stomach about four inches to the left and right of my belly button -- I was really anxious about it and in the end it was a breeze -- a little more sting in the legs than the stomach but much easier than I thought -- leaving the shots out to room temp and making sure the alcohol dries first are important... good luck to you!

 

[onolox]

If you inject into fat it does not hurt. If you are super skinny and inject into muscle it will burn/sting for a bit.

I think inject in the muscle is not right.

 

[Jewels29]

Yes; it hurts!! But try icing before and leaving the injections out for awhile before using them.

Also, they hurt a lot, but only briefly then it goes away. After a few hours my muscles were achy, but "pain" wasn't there like when it first happens. Just ice!

 

[Cataja]

Room temp pens, ice the area for 15 minutes before injection, stomach hurts less then legs, swear like a pirate during injection... ;-)

Like others have said...Humira can be left at room temperature for up to 14 days.

 

[DougUte]

If you inject into fat it does not hurt. If you are super skinny and inject into muscle it will burn/sting for a bit.

Humira is meant to be a subcontaneous injection. You should never inject into the muscle.