WHAA!?! 4 Shots for the first dose!?

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EthanPSU

EthanPSU

Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
876
Location
Pennsylvania
Dr. just called and said my Humira will be in the mail within the next few days and the first dose will include 4 shots. Is this the normal case? Ouchhwowow
 
It is the most commonly used induction dose. It isn't as bad as it seems though...honest. Just 4 shots in different places over about 10-15 minutes. I did mine in the day unit and was observed for 4 hours after to make sure no reaction.
Some docs go for a 2 shot induction but 4 is recommended if your disease is more severe.
 
Yup yup, first time is a lot of fun... You sit there with the nurse that wonders why you seem stressed an the 4 shots on the table. I got mine done on 2 days: got the first two, then got the second two 24hours later. That's only because I have a tendency to have weird reactions to shots (like ending up to ICU) so I was kinda freaked about giving the 4 and having a crazy reaction. Thankfully, I did not react.

Anyway Ethan, yes, it's normal. Yes it will be quite an annoying moment to have the 4 done but remember, it's just one time then in a week you will have two shots and then you are good with the every two weeks shot. I like to pinch my skin quite hard before I give the shot. It tricks my brain into not focusing at the injection but that might just be me. I also appreciate some ice, but some people feel it sounds silly and it's seems like a useless move to do. I find it's easier with it than without but I don't mind not icing either. It just depends how I feel Id say.

Are you gonna have a nurse that will come and teach you the injection?
 
It's not difficult, especially with the pen. Just make sure you don't get surprised by the pain. People sometimes get the shot but retract the pen because it hurts and it spills everywhere. That's almost the reason the nurse was there: to keep an eye and make sure I don't pull the thing out lol. It did not happen with me but I know it happens to a few.
 
Do you think its like the same as a IV needle? They're kinda big, atleast much bigger than just normal shot needles. I can do shot needles like they're nothing, but I squint a bit with IV needles
 
Don't worry about the needle size I mean, they must be nothing more than the usual shot one's. I don't remember them being impressive. If you are with the pen, you won't even see them. Someone that uses the needle could probably confirm but as far as I remember, they are small gauge and maybe what, half an inch long.
 
If it's the pens, just click them off. It is not a big deal, really. A little sting while the stuff goes in, and then for a few seconds after. Just hold the button down long enough for it all to go in. You'll do fine, big guy. :D
 
I just got done with my loading dose a little over a month ago and let me tell ya, Humira has been the best choice in medication for me in the past eight years... my best word of advice is to do two shots in your left thigh and two in your right for the loading dose, one high one low. Pinch the skin pretty firmly and DON'T push the pen to your skin much harder than it takes to JUST indent your skin. The needle is trying to get into the fatty part of your leg NOT the muscle. My first shot I didn't pinch hard enough and pressed the pen to my skin too hard... it bled and hurt like the dickens, the second shot was better, the third even better and the fourth was perfect. If you manage to get it into the fat it won't bleed or bruise at all and it hurts very minimal. Hold the pen to your skin for a solid 10 seconds, you typically hear the last of it go in and you'll have a little bump of fluid where you stuck yourself if you did it right.

I'm very happy I started Humira, I put on 30 lbs. within two months and feel better than I have ever felt. I feel like I'm finally getting back to me again.

Good luck to you! If you have any questions PM me! It's all really fresh in my mind.
 
Heavy-T said:
I just got done with my loading dose a little over a month ago and let me tell ya, Humira has been the best choice in medication for me in the past eight years... my best word of advice is to do two shots in your left thigh and two in your right for the loading dose, one high one low. Pinch the skin pretty firmly and DON'T push the pen to your skin much harder than it takes to JUST indent your skin. The needle is trying to get into the fatty part of your leg NOT the muscle. My first shot I didn't pinch hard enough and pressed the pen to my skin too hard... it bled and hurt like the dickens, the second shot was better, the third even better and the fourth was perfect. If you manage to get it into the fat it won't bleed or bruise at all and it hurts very minimal. Hold the pen to your skin for a solid 10 seconds, you typically hear the last of it go in and you'll have a little bump of fluid where you stuck yourself if you did it right.

I'm very happy I started Humira, I put on 30 lbs. within two months and feel better than I have ever felt. I feel like I'm finally getting back to me again.

Good luck to you! If you have any questions PM me! It's all really fresh in my mind.
Click to expand...

Are the legs / thighs the only place you can take it? Or can you take it pretty much anywhere? I feel like the stomach would be kind of easy
 
You can take it in the stomach also, but with summer here I would opt for the thighs... especially for the first shots because if you don't do it perfect you'll have some pretty gnarly bruises.

It was funny when I took my first shots because my first shot gave me a two inch diameter bruise, my second was a one inch diameter bruise, the third was a faint bruise and the fourth didn't bruise at all. I just wouldn't want a bunch of bruises on my abdomen when you go swimming or try to get some rays. Plus it hurts a bit more on the stomach.

The dvd suggests to inject on the top of either thigh or in the abdomen region, nowhere else. Every injection should be at least two inches from the previous injection site also.
 
Personally the belly shots are easier for me. I don't have enough fat on my thigh so it bruises more easily there on my side. I never bruised on my stomach, but eh, I have some fat there that cushion when I give my shot. So I'd say, aim for the fattiest part you can find between your thigh/abdomen and shot there!!
 
PsychoJane said:
Personally the belly shots are easier for me. I don't have enough fat on my thigh so it bruises more easily there on my side. I never bruised on my stomach, but eh, I have some fat there that cushion when I give my shot. So I'd say, aim for the fattiest part you can find between your thigh/abdomen and shot there!!
Click to expand...

Hah alright, I have about zero fat on my stomach so that'd prob hurt then. It should be coming tomorrow or wednesday so ill let you guys know how it goes
 
Well, curl up your knees and see if there's a little roll on each side of your tummy. I find it easier to work with too. All you need is a little pinch of skin and fat. When I was 90 pounds in the hospital, they were giving me shots in the tummy so I wouldn't get blood clots. I didn't even feel them - surprising, because I was scared of getting shots there.

I think the skin on my thighs is a little tougher, too, though. Either way not a big deal - it's over with fast.
 
I stated off with the needles and my GOD! they were painful, the pens not nearly as much, once you grab a decent amount of fat, the pain in alright, but I find it hard to the thighs because they are quite muscular, so if I don't grab enough fat it can be really sore, the stomach, when I proper bend over, I can grab a nice amount of fat and I barely feel the pain.

Don't let the pen noise surprise and you pull it out, I nearly did that but I held it in, thankfully, don't wanna waste any of that uber expensive shieet.

:lol2:
 
Yup, with the pen you gotta grab a chunk of skin and hold it while you click the pen and let it go. With the needle you grab, stab, release the skin then inject. (Let say the video will be clearer than this). Technically, you won't touch the area you will be injecting once you sanitize it with alcohol but your finger will remain on each side, just not on the injection site per say.
 
I use the pen. I have found that bending my knees and putting a pillow under my head and shoulders makes it easier to grab a bit of my stomach to inject into.(also makes it easier to see what I am doing!!)
When I lie flat I just can't grab any. I much prefer injecting in the stomach.
Hope it goes ok for you.
 
Yep, curl up kind of in a ball, grab whatever's loose (skin), pinch and hold on to it while you inject. You put the pen against the pinched up skin at a right angle, squeeze the button - it clicks. There's a little yellow thingy that slowly moves down to the bottom of the window (where you can see the liquid medicine). Once it stops moving, count to 5 slowly, and lift the pen away. I hold still for a few seconds while the burn goes away, but I'm probably being a big baby.

Don't forget the alcohol swipe and be sure it's dry before you inject. That stuff burns!

Ooooooooooooh thanks, I just realized I need to take mine out of the fridge. :D
 
'. I hold still for a few seconds while the burn goes away, but I'm probably being a big baby.'

Miss UE, I am the same, I hold it in place and try to distract from the stinging. I'm glad it only lasts a few seconds, and its certainly worth it and only once every 2 weeks...though looks like I am probably going onto weekly, hope not :-(

When are you having to do your 4 shots Ethan? Its a bit strange my first 4 shots didn't really burn, only those I've given since.
 
littlemissh said:
'. I hold still for a few seconds while the burn goes away, but I'm probably being a big baby.'

Miss UE, I am the same, I hold it in place and try to distract from the stinging. I'm glad it only lasts a few seconds, and its certainly worth it and only once every 2 weeks...though looks like I am probably going onto weekly, hope not :-(

When are you having to do your 4 shots Ethan? Its a bit strange my first 4 shots didn't really burn, only those I've given since.
Click to expand...

Well they said the pharmacy would be mailing it and I expect it around wednesday....but it's thursday and still nothing. So hopefully tomorrow
 

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