Starting Humira- Pens vs pre filled syringes
- Thread starter LTomes
- Start date
Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 6,323
My son likes the syringe over the pen. He says the pain is not as intense. We also have a px of lidocaine to mix into the humira syringe which can help with the pain of the injection. But honestly, since switching to the syringe he rarely goes through the hassle of the lidocaine.
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2011
- Messages
- 426
If I stay on Humira I have asked to have the syringes next. I don't have any problems with pain with the pen, but even without arthritis like Layla has, I find the syringe rather cumbersome and find it pushes the skin out of my fingers so I worry about getting the whole dose in.
According to the BNF (British National Formulary - the prescribing guide in the UK) the pens and syringes cost the same (over here at least), so there shouldn't be any preference on the side of the prescriber.
According to the BNF (British National Formulary - the prescribing guide in the UK) the pens and syringes cost the same (over here at least), so there shouldn't be any preference on the side of the prescriber.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 93
I've been on the pen since I started Humira. I find it's not that bad, and I think I prefer it over the syringe, as I don't know that I'd want to gradually stick a needle in my skin. I like for it to just stick and be over with. However, it has been pretty painful sometimes, similar to a bee sting, but other times I barely feel it, like my last dose. The key for me has been to let it sit out for at least 30 minutes and be sure to allow the alcohol to dry after cleaning your injection spot. I've also found the larger the area that I pinch, the better.
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2011
- Messages
- 426
Sorry, I meant to say I find the pen rather cumbersome, not the syringe.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2012
- Messages
- 14,811
Syringe
Ds has been in it3 years
He has an auto injector ( epi pen ) those are spring loaded and not ideal since psychologically people tend to jump
When they hear the click /pop and then meds are all over you not I. You
Syringe you control the rate and speed less painfully
My kiddo is 12 so I inject
But he is working towards doing it on his own
Ds has been in it3 years
He has an auto injector ( epi pen ) those are spring loaded and not ideal since psychologically people tend to jump
When they hear the click /pop and then meds are all over you not I. You
Syringe you control the rate and speed less painfully
My kiddo is 12 so I inject
But he is working towards doing it on his own
Well tonight was my first initial dose. I ended up with the pens because my specialty pharmacy was out of the pre filled. Was not bad at all I built it up to be way worse. Doing it 4 times was a bit much. I will be glad when it is just one shot. The only part that hurt a little was the actual medicine but I did let it sit out I can imagine it would have definitely hurt worse cold. Thanks for all the advice. How long before I see results?
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2011
- Messages
- 745
I think the length of time to see results varies a lot from one person to another.
To answer your question about pens vs syringes - I prefer the pen. Quick click, count to 5 and it's over. I usually sit still for a few minutes as the sting subsides. I tried the syringe once when I got it by mistake from my pharmacy, and I had a hard time holding it still. I can't stand to watch the needle go into my skin - I flinch. Even when I have blood drawn I do not look at it so I won't flinch.
To answer your question about pens vs syringes - I prefer the pen. Quick click, count to 5 and it's over. I usually sit still for a few minutes as the sting subsides. I tried the syringe once when I got it by mistake from my pharmacy, and I had a hard time holding it still. I can't stand to watch the needle go into my skin - I flinch. Even when I have blood drawn I do not look at it so I won't flinch.
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2010
- Messages
- 1,271
I have been on Humira for coming on 5 years. It has induced remission of my Crohns. When I started the med I experienced tiredness as well. I found that it was best to do my injections the night before my day off. Usually I can just sleep the tiredness away. If not, then I don't have to be a work the next day. I do think the tiredness has eventually worn off.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2013
- Messages
- 12,346
Will do.
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2014
- Messages
- 439
I always go for syringes, the humira pen is especially uncomfortable for me as I don't have enough strength in my fingers (arthritis). The Simponi pen is more comfortable even for those with arthritis, I would say, but in general syringes give me the chance to inject quicker (small quick movement of the hand), so I don't feel anything when I inject the needle. If it's Humira you might feel a burning sensation, but with the syringe you decide how fast it goes in. Once the needle is in, it's a more relaxed position for me than pressing the pen. I use to inject in a skin fold of my tummy and press the skin fold (which gives me a minor feeling of pain and superimposes the burning pain from Humira), so I don't feel much at all with that technique, also when I injected Humira.
Syringe! That pen is horrible, so much pain compared to syringe. Its much easier in every way, first thing is that you can see what is happening, secondly you can control the speed. With pen you just bomb it in and it goes deep and fast. I don´t have any extra fat on me so it feels like its going stright into muscle and it hurts. With syringe you have to be comfortable with needles though but you get used to it very fast.
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2013
- Messages
- 30
I'm in the pen club, the syringes have to be injected at an angle, much slower, (though still painful-at least for me, which just draws out the yuck), and I'd rather just pinch and jab and get it over with. I second the mentions of leaving the pen out for ~30min prior to injection, as well as thighs being much less painful then the belly. Try an ice pack on the injection spot right afterwards, that helps too.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2013
- Messages
- 12,346
Hey, LTomes. It has been about three months now. I still have good days and bad days . My specialist says I am in remission. I am not giving up.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2013
- Messages
- 12,346
Amen
