Been for my check up today and the consultant is sending me for an mri scan and referring me to see a different consultant to start on my weekly injections, i didnt really ask many questions on them as i was shocked that i had to go on them and that i had to do them myself. I thought deep down that i was going to stay on my tablets. Dont like the thought of weekly injections that i have to do myself. Has anyone got any info they can share with me pls on side affects and what to expect, thanks kath x
Injections
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What type of injections?
Methotextrate he mentioned last time i was there but he was using all these medical words when i was there today my head was baffled with it all, he said the new consultant will go through it all with me, i take it i will be on this one i think, why is there others?
Crohn's 35
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Hi katherine, I am surprised he mentioned the Methotrexate before Humira. I have been on both. Humira has way less side effects (common ones) in my opinion. Metho shots are best taken by injection because it is supposed to be easier on the stomach and absorbs better. Metho is an older drug, making a comeback. Humira didnt work for me long term but neither did Metho, I was feeling nausated all the time and headaches. Make sure you take 1mg of folic acid everyday, it helps lessen side effects. Also get the shot in the fattiest part of your body, mine was the backside. It makes it slower and less sides.
Some people are doing amazing on it, and as I always say we are all different so the meds affect us differently.
Keep us posted, hope you get feeling better. BTW it takes 6 weeks before you feel any relief, then they lower the dosage, lifetime shots! :hang:
Some people are doing amazing on it, and as I always say we are all different so the meds affect us differently.
Keep us posted, hope you get feeling better. BTW it takes 6 weeks before you feel any relief, then they lower the dosage, lifetime shots! :hang:
Well last time i was there he mentiones methotextrate but today he didnt mention that word but was going on about something else but said your new consultant will go through it with you, so maybe it will be something different, i should of asked more questions really.
I'm on Humira (known as Adalimumab here in the UK) weekly, and to be honest I'd do the injections daily if I had to. After being ill nearly two years before we found a drug which worked and didn't have horrendous side effects, I'd do anything to feel 'well'. Anything. Weekly injections are just no bother.
You don't have to do methotrexate by injection, you can have tablets.
You don't have to do methotrexate by injection, you can have tablets.
Silvermoon
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I find it interesting that a doctor would allow a person to do their own metho injections at home, seeing as how it DOES need to go into a very large muscle, and these large muscles aren't usually easily accessable by the person him/herselfr (ie. the butt)... lol... so if in fact it is metho, I would check out to see if someone could help you with these...maybe a home care or community care nurse... they may not necessarily have to come to your house....you may be able to visit them at a clinic....
As for weekly injections, like Beth I am on Humira but every two weeks, and like she says, if I had to do them every day to get/stay healthy, I would. Think about diabetics who have to give themselves injections up to four times a day.... weekly or bi-weekly just seems like a small price to pay to maintain health.
In the meantime, don't feel bad for not asking more questions from your doctor. But do chalk it up to a learning experience.... Grab a pen and a note book to keep with you at all times to write down questions as they come up for you....then when you DO see your doctor, you have them all right in front of you.
Good luck!
As for weekly injections, like Beth I am on Humira but every two weeks, and like she says, if I had to do them every day to get/stay healthy, I would. Think about diabetics who have to give themselves injections up to four times a day.... weekly or bi-weekly just seems like a small price to pay to maintain health.
In the meantime, don't feel bad for not asking more questions from your doctor. But do chalk it up to a learning experience.... Grab a pen and a note book to keep with you at all times to write down questions as they come up for you....then when you DO see your doctor, you have them all right in front of you.
Good luck!
Crohn's 35
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I agree with Silvermoon, I have to have a pro to do my B12 and Metho when I was on it. My doctor says it is safer and he says unless I have a certified nurse do it, keep going to him. I have my b12 shot tomorrow...
The nurse does my B12 injections, when the subject came up about me having injections he mentioned the metho and said it would be injected slowly into my body over a number of hours, this was about 3 months ago on my last visit, when i went yesterday and there was no change and i was still having regular flare ups he mentioned injections again on a weekly basis and was referring me to another consultant, so maybe it is for the Humira, he just said they will go over it with me.
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into fat, not muscle...
Hi Silvermoon,
Sorry to be contrary...
Our understanding of Methotexate injection requirements differs.
Your quote suggests intramuscular injection, while my experience has been subcutaneous injection.
I have been getting my weekly Metho belly jabs since Feb.(5 months+)
I have my prescription bottle which contains my vials in my hand,
and it is labelled requesting subcutaneous injection.
So, it DOES NOT need to go into a large muscle.
"Giving a subcutaneous injection is actually a pretty simple task. It may seem daunting, especially if you’ve never given an injection. But with time and practice, you will feel much more comfortable doing them. A subcutaneous injection delivers the medicine into the layer of fatty tissue directly below the skin. A small needle, usually 27g or 28g and ½ inch long, is required."
So, shallow injection, with a smaller needle and into more readily accessible body sites makes it more doable for a do-it-yourselfer.(belly or thigh)
This has been my experience.
Your mileage may vary...
be well
Walt
ps Hi Katherine, let us know when you figure out which med you will receiving.
I hope you get to feeling better soon!
Hi Silvermoon,
Sorry to be contrary...
Our understanding of Methotexate injection requirements differs.
Your quote suggests intramuscular injection, while my experience has been subcutaneous injection.
I have been getting my weekly Metho belly jabs since Feb.(5 months+)
I have my prescription bottle which contains my vials in my hand,
and it is labelled requesting subcutaneous injection.
So, it DOES NOT need to go into a large muscle.
"Giving a subcutaneous injection is actually a pretty simple task. It may seem daunting, especially if you’ve never given an injection. But with time and practice, you will feel much more comfortable doing them. A subcutaneous injection delivers the medicine into the layer of fatty tissue directly below the skin. A small needle, usually 27g or 28g and ½ inch long, is required."
So, shallow injection, with a smaller needle and into more readily accessible body sites makes it more doable for a do-it-yourselfer.(belly or thigh)
This has been my experience.
Your mileage may vary...
be well
Walt
ps Hi Katherine, let us know when you figure out which med you will receiving.
I hope you get to feeling better soon!
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AFAIK, Methotrexate can be given either through intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. There are some studies that seem to show the IM injection is better absorbed, and other studies that appear to show there is no difference in absorption between IM and subcutaneous injection.
Giving yourself an IM injection is no big deal - the needle is only slightly longer (1" for legs, 1.5" for hip/butt) and the ventrogluteal , vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris sites are all easy to reach. Women taking progesterone for fertility treatments have to do it every day for months at a time.
Giving yourself an IM injection is no big deal - the needle is only slightly longer (1" for legs, 1.5" for hip/butt) and the ventrogluteal , vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris sites are all easy to reach. Women taking progesterone for fertility treatments have to do it every day for months at a time.
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