Injecting into Stretch Marks

[lmk1226]

I finally started humira! I did the first two pens today and have to do two more tomorrow. I was just reading the information and it says not to inject into stretch marks. I didn't today but there is pretty much no where left without stretch marks (thanks to pred). I will probably try calling humira tonight or tomorrow once my boyfriend gets home because my phone is broken. But in the mean time does anybody know what happens if you inject into stretch marks?

 

[ameslouise]

Whoa! That's weird. I guess I didn't read all of the instructions. I have tons of stretch marks on my inner thighs from growing as a teen.

I didn't realize pred could give you stretch marks either!

Good luck - let us know what you find out about the Humira & stretch marks.

- Amy

 

[Entchen]

Hiya: Am not on any injectables so I'm not "in the know," but from checking out my own misery-inducing Prednisone stretch marks, my guess is that you're to avoid them because the skin is thinner? At least, it seems thinner?

 

[scifi-enthusiast]

Yea, I have stretch marks on my stomach as well. Once I get off the pred and have another flare up I may need to get on Humira. I would really like to know what you find out.

 

[lmk1226]

I will let you know when I find out. I called the number the nurse gave me today and they were not at all helpful. So I will try to find out tomorrow. I was also thinking it might just be because the skin is thinner since it said avoid scars too and skin would be thicker on scars. And pred doesn't really cause the stretch marks (at least I think) it is just the weight gain that always happens when I am on it.

 

[ameslouise]

Like a moron I injected right into the stretch marks on my thigh tonite! Duh!

I hope you find something from the Humira people about this - please let us know!

- amy

 

[lmk1226]

The person (supposedly a nurse) I talked to pretty much just said well it says don't do it, so don't do it. I have an appointment in a couple weeks so I am gonna ask my doctor then. I am assuming it can't be that bad to do since nobody seems to know why you shouldn't do it.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

The only thing I can guess is that if the stretch mark is deep, maybe it won't be a tight enough seal and some medicine might leak out?
"It says don't do it, so don't do it." is hardly an answer, but it makes me laugh.

 

[luvincookie2001]

I would assume its just because the skin would either be thinner or more scar tissue making it easier to get a reaction or harder to penetrate the skin? who knows??

 

[tiloah]

The person (supposedly a nurse) I talked to pretty much just said well it says don't do it, so don't do it. I have an appointment in a couple weeks so I am gonna ask my doctor then. I am assuming it can't be that bad to do since nobody seems to know why you shouldn't do it.

My guess would be that it injecting into "imperfect" skin hasn't been studied, so they tell you not to do it in an overabundance of caution. (They also say not to inject into scars, etc.)

Honestly as long as you get "past" the stretch mark such that you are injecting into the SubQ fat, it's probably fine (as evidenced here by people who have been doing it without problems). I mean I would generally avoid it if it's easy to do so, but I wouldn't panic if it happened.

 

[pjmel]

I have heaps of stretch marks on my stomach - this is where I inject my humira. I haven't tried my thighs (worried it will hurt more there!). I am sure that I have injected into my stretch marks, haven't seemed to notice any difference - sometimes when I inject in a certain spot I appear to hit a vein - that causes some discomfort and bruising. But I have only done that twice since I started which has been well over 6 months now. :ysmile:

 

[Dunbar]

Stretch marks and scars alter the way fat is distributed under the skin. My understanding is that you need the fat to hold and move the medication for absorption into the system. That's all I've been able to find out about it.

 

[tmig89]

new to the site, but on Humira too!

Hey, I was reading and wanted to throw out there that I was on Prednisone for about 6 years and it has caused insane stretch marks all over. From shoulder to toe, literally. With no weight gain. Finding a spot to inject Humira is a real (and always uncomfortable) challenge! I'm not sure what exactly to look for, but I have injected it into marks a few times and just had a large purple welt type growth appear for a while. I have also had itching and random red bursts of what looks like small red bumps in a patch which will disappear after about 30 to 40 minutes. Guess everyone has different effects from it, what my doc says, seems like most of us have a lot of the same symptoms.

 

[Jasonmh]

Your Humira will not be absorbed fully/properly when injecting into scar tissue/stretch marks, per nurses instructions