The 2 shots

On 10/17/07:
Leaving the medicine out at room temp was a very good thing. I iced the left side of my stomach until it was good and cold. The shot stung a little, but it was nothing like the first 4 from two weeks ago. It was definitely tolerable and not a big deal at all.

My mistake came when I didn't ice the right side of my stomach for long enough. The ice pack had warmed up, so my tummy was barely even cold. When Chris started the injection, I just about yanked the shot out of his hand it hurt so bad. Not only did I feel the needle, but the Humira burned worse than any of the 5 previous shots. I grabbed my pillow and squeezed it as hard as I could for those 10 seconds. The medicine continued to burn for a few minutes since I wasn't numb. It sucked. My poor husband felt so bad for having to inflict the pain on me.

Whoever said not numbing the site hurt less must be crazy... =)

Note to self and others:
1. Freeze the injection site first.
2. Make sure medicine has warmed up to room temp prior to injection.

Now I am down to just one shot every other week. I know how to do it from here on out.


1 Peter 5:7
"Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you."

Life is good

The Humira is working so far. No Crohn's symptoms. Praise the Lord!

I get two shots tomorrow. I am going to leave the medicine out at room temp for about 30 minutes prior this time to see if that reduces the burn at all. We'll see.

My car is in the shop- broken axles. Oh goody- money down the tube. One day I will have enough cash to buy a decent car that isn't 18 years old. But, I am grateful... at least I own a car!

I am very blessed. I have a wonderful husband, a great family (both sides), a house, a job, great benefits, excellent doctors, friends, a car, and most importantly- GOD in my life. I could not survive without his love, guidance and grace.

Life is good. Count your blessings everyday.


Colossians 3:15
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Humira results

Not gonna lie- those shots felt like a flaming ball of fire was entering my flesh. After the 10 seconds of misery, the pain went away... I guess the medicine had dissepated. I cried after the first one, like a big wuss. My anxiety about the whole thing had been building up and when the actual shot came, and it hurt worse than I thought it would, the tears just came out. Fortunately, my hubbers was there to console me. I didn't cry anymore after the first one. Christopher gave me the next 3 shots and they hurt, but at least I knew to brace myself and breathe. October 17 I get 2 shots- we'll do them at home- then it's 1 after that. I can do this. Other people go through much worse than this.


Advice to anyone getting a loading dose of Humira...

1. My nurse had forgotten to tell me to let the medicine warm up for about 30 minutes. Apparently it burns a little less if it isn't so cold. I wouldn't know. So take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you get the shots.

2. Ice the injection site down with cold packs before and after the shots. I think this helped with me.

3. You can't feel the needle- it's tiny, so don't fret about that.

4. Know that it will probably burn (some patients don't feel this- lucky them...) BUT, this burn only lasts during the injection. You can tough it out for 10 seconds.

5. Don't freak out about possible side effects.

6. The 2 shots that were in an area below my belly button hurt less than the two that were parallel to the belly button. Don't know why...? I'm very petite- don't have a lot of fat- so I think the areas that actually did have a little more fat hurt less. Maybe there are less nerves there too. Who knows.

7. Keep a diary each time of where you got the shot(s), how bad it hurt, and any side effects (like site reactions, headache, etc.) Areas that hurt worse, you can avoid next time!

Good luck! My nurse said her patients have had great success with Humira. I'm sure everything will be fine.

Phillipians 4:11-13
"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whethere well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Humira

After a year of IV infusion Remicade treatments every 8 weeks, my GI has switched me to Humira self-injections. Remicade worked fantasticly (is that a word?) for my Crohn's, but I had a reaction to it after a year... serum sickness... (symmetrical joint inflammation in the ankles and feet)

Anyway, I go to the office today for my first round of shots (4) and to learn how to inject myself. I am not really looking forward to it. I will probably make my hubbers (Chris) do it for me. He needs the practice. Fortunately, in 2 weeks I will only get 2 shots, then after that it is 1 shot every other week. It's not a big deal. People with diabetes have to shoot themselves up every day sometimes. I've got it easy. I probably should not have read all the reviews about how bad the medicine stings from the Humira pen. I'll just assume all those people were being big babies... that way I can convince myself that it won't hurt.

Wish me luck. I hate being nervous about stuff.

Phillipians 4:6-9 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, present your requests to God..."