Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Enbrel - Injection site reaction

I had my 4th injection on Monday.. 2 days ago.. This morning I woke up in a panic when I realized I had just scratched my leg that was itching---it was my last injection site! The area is red, slightly swollen, very sore & tender and hot to the touch.. It's about 3 inches in diameter. This has not occurred with the last 3 injections.. so I was surprised. It feels like I have been stung by a bee...

Should I be concerned or call the doctor?

Denise

I have heard of this happening to others. It would still be best to call the doc.

Betty

Hi Denise

I would say that it would be best to call the doctor. Better safe than sorry....

Good luck, and let us know what they say.

Lori

Hi Denise,
I would call the doc. My rheumy told me when I first started on it that if an injection reaction happens like you have described that it can also pop up in other previously injected sites as well. In case this happens, I would see what they do for it.
I have been very lucky as I have never had any type of reaction besides usual bruising.

Julie

Kodi

Hi Denise,

Injection site reactions are pretty common with Enbrel, as well as with Humira. I only had a reaction once with Enbrel, but get them all the time with Humira. They look pretty much like you described.I didn't have any injection site reactions the first couple of injections, then they suddenly occured. They are pretty common and nothing to worry about. Still, if you are worried, call your dr - if not only to hear that it's OK.

Nina

not good, but don't panic...37% of the people who take enbrel have some injection site
reactions...it's good to describe it to your doctor...if you call the pharma line, they will insist
you talk to your doctor...

my isr'ss showed up like clockwork thirty-six hours after the shot...my dr advised that
it was a). my being a poor technician with a needle- which meant more practice or b).
some folks have a reaction to the introduction of enebrel to the 'system'...and get over it quickly.

some folk have to stop enbrel if this stuff gets out of control.

haven't had a pink spot in several weeks now, i'm a better needle jockey now...
when you do that 'pull back a little on the plunger' thing try hard not to move the
needle around inside your thigh...good luck, denise

it's better when you get more comfortable doing the shots.
all the best with this
aloha Ben

Denise,

I have been on Enbrel for over a year and had never had a reaction until about 2 months ago. I did go to the rheumy on day 3 of the reaction but it was NOTHING like it was the first two days.

I haven't had a reaction since. Weird......

Keep us posted!
Holly

brent,
it is not a prefered technique to screw up your courage, pinch the skin and then close your eyes.
aB

ps. i called the help line and they said i was not the first.

Hey Ben,

I'm sure you weren't the first and won't be the last either. When we took care of my mother in law we had one shot we had to give her in the abdomen. From her reaction each time if I were to have to give myself shots and had to put them in my belly I would probably hit more than my fingers, would be more like the back of my hand or arm. I could manage giving myself shots in the arm or thigh without a problem, the belly would be a different story.

Brent

Sandy