Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group enbrel needle "tip"

HI,
I have a tip about injecting Enbrel. My nurse told me that the needle is tapered and to face it upward when injecting. This way it doesn't hurt.
Maybe this is obvious to many already, but I didn't recall reading this in the literature so I would never have known if he did not tell me.
abilena

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that next time I give myself a shot. I never have read that in the directions.
I am going on my 8th shot, and I am trying to stay positive. But so far since my 3rd shot I had a really bad injection site reaction that made all the previous injection sites react as well. So far eveytime I have had a shot I get a reaction they seem to be getting somewhat better but it is very frustrating. Also I am on my second cold with a really sore throat since I started taking the shots. I don't want to stop the shot since I have read about how great the medicine can help. But I am still pretty nervous since I haven't had the great results I keep reading about and truthfully still seem to be having a lot of pain! I called my rhemmy only when I first was having a reaction and he seems really busy and is in another town, but I have been thinking I should call and report all the symptoms I've been having such as fever, nausea, sinus infection, headache and still quite a bit back, neck, and shoulder pain. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks Clara

Hi Abilena,
Great tip on the tip lol - I'll have to try that tomorrow. I wasn't told that one by my nurse! Thanks!
Megan

Hi Clara,
I'm sorry that you've been so sick! I think you're supposed to go off enbrel if you're feeling that gross. I know that sucks. Especially if you're on antibiotics or need to get on antibiotics. You really need to check that one out. Keep calling your rheumy, even if he's busy. He needs to hear about this.
I'm going on to my 8th shot of enbrel tomorrow too! I too haven't seen any super, total-cure results - to quote Julielives on this one, "I don't look like an Enbrel commercial!", but I've had a pretty decent reduction in pain. Actually, more than I had hoped for, and much earlier than I had anticipated, so I'm pretty happy about it. And I can always hope for even more response, this early in the enbrel game.
I had a couple of little injection site reactions in my second week - nothing major, but they seemed to just go away. Hope they don't make another appearance.
Hope things work out for you, and I hope you get well soon.
Take care,
Megan

Thanks Megan for the word of encouragement. I know your right I'll keep trying to get ahold of my doctor. I have been keeping up with you and several others progress and that's why I have been trying to hang in there hopefully I'll get better soon!

Thanks again!
Clara

Hi Clara,
I'm sorry you're having a hard time with Enbrel. Makes you wonder if different people need different dosages, though I've never heard of this. Maybe remicade or Humira would work better for you?
Good luck,
abilena

aloha Clara

don't give up the ship...but you ought to talk to dr. about those colds/sore throat

the first month every shot made every other injection turn pink again...and i had a huge red/purple/blue/yellow
splotch on the left thigh for six weeks...all of those have gone away now that i'm a better needle jockey.

about the
i don't look like an enbrel commercial thoughts...well julie is right.
we know 60/70% of b27 positives will respond to some degree...b27 negs, not as well.
jc posited the thought that the effectiveness is qualified by age of symptom onset, duration of disease progresion,
the nature of existing damage...i know that enbrel is having no effect at all on the pain from the scoliosis and
the nerve & muscle stuff in my legs.

i also know at three months now...my neck turns more freely, i'm walking in stride ( only limping part of the time
and dragging the right leg not doing the crab walk, getting up in the morning is a lot easier, the fire in the butt
is still there but lower in temp, and i have more energy, but try to do too much and run out of steam still.
the issue still in question is 'where will we be after six months of enbrel?' that's the object- this is long term.

my consulting general practitioner took a throat swab to check for strep( or something) when my i got chilled through at
a funeral and had a very sore scratchy throat...this is potentially serious- talk to your medicine man.

hope all turns out well, best
aloha Ben

ps...i also don't " JAB " like in the video...i aim and insert the needle with decisive movement but gently.

Edited by alohaben on 12/17/04 12:21 PM (server time).

Ben I really appreciate all the info!
As for my enbrel my rhemmy wasn't available so I talked to my reg doc and he said stop with Enbrel and go on a z pac of antibiotics. The main reason I called my doc is I had got a lot sicker since I last posted fever was constant, along with being dizzy and nausea I also had such a sore throat it hurt to swallow at all. For me these are big red flags because I have had strep that turned into rhematic fever and tonsilitis to many times. My ears also feel infected, but here is a new one even for me! I got a rash on my face and my face was also swollen. I could also see the rash on my neck too. The only other time that has happened was when I have had allerigic reactions to food. I harldly have eaten anything and what I have got down is not new could this rash be connected with how I am reacting to enbrel?

Clara

Alohaben,
That "jab" concept bothers me too. I do a sort of half jab, but I am leaning towards a slower, more decisive insertion like you.
abilena

Yes, the needle has a bevel on it, which is the little slanted part. You should always inject bevel-up. Hurts less. I don't know why ENBREL doesn't tell people that in their instructions.d

___________________________________________
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor (in training)