A View Of Self Injecting A Syringe

  Now that I have been taking Cosentyx syringe injections for a few months, I thought I'd share my experience.

  I began with a loading dose of one injection weekly for five weeks. My rheumatologist supplied me with five Cosentyx auto-inject pens. I've blogged about my euphoria feelings during my loading doses. I had energy like I hadn't experienced in years. I felt like the old me, the one who could function without pain. I won't go into all of that since you can read it in my earlier posts. I will say my experience with the auto-inject Cosentyx pen was much better than with the Enbrel and Humira pens. In this post, I want to focus on the syringes, in case anyone is facing injecting for the first time.

  Once my insurance approved the medicine, my home delivery pharmacy shipped my medicine. To my surprise, they sent me syringes instead of auto-inject pens. I never open my box until the day of my shot, so I didn't realize until it was too late.

  I have always used the automatic pens, never syringes. Years ago, I told my diabetic mother in law, I could never stick a needle in my stomach. Never, say never! Lesson learned. I was needing my medicine and all I had was a syringe of it. Thankfully my oldest son, who is a first responder, did my first syringe injection. My second monthly injection, I decided I had stabbed myself with that auto-inject pen for so many years, surely I was tough enough to do my own syringe injection. I cleaned my chosen spot with alcohol wipes, removed the lid from the needle. I lowered the syringe toward my stomach, pointing the needle at my sanitized spot. The closer the needle got to my skin, the more my hand shaked. My husband laughed at my uncontrollable, shaking hand. He offered to inject for me, but I was determined. I took a deep breath and with the needle trembling like a tiny earthquake, I stuck it in my belly. It was hard to push the needle through the first layer of skin and tissue, but once it got through that "tough" part, it just slid like their was nothing inside my belly. That was the weirdest feeling ever, I will never forget it. I don't know if that is just a feeling you get doing self injection or if nurses feel that hollowness when they inject needles in patients. I must say that even with the shaking it did not burn as bad as those auto-inject pens. I have injected my third syringe as of this posting. This last injection was much easier. My hand didn't even shake. Although, after pulling the needle out I realized I was holding my breath. By next month I might be able to relax while injecting haha. In my honest opinion, I actually prefer the syringe. I don't miss the burning of the pens. I don't miss the way I always jumped when the pen clicked, even with expecting it! If given a choice, I would chose syringe every time.

  If you are facing injecting for the first time, I hope my post helps. I tried to explain what I was feeling, hopefully I didn't scare anyone. Just keep reminding yourself, you are tough. You can do this! You fight Ankylosing Spondylitis everyday. You are an AS warrior!

  I hope this is a pain free, enjoyable week for everyone.
  Gentle hugs friends.


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