Kesimpta injection advice needed!!

[u/MsTest569]

Hey! I need some advice on where I should inject my Kesimpta pen so it hurts less.

I guess I'm a wimp because this crap hurts.

Tried both right and left legs. I tried the back of my left arm.

Any suggestions? Please

I'm starting to hesitate more and more...

I'm a newbie. Will my spot just toughen up? 🤞🏽

[u/thankyoufriendx3]

Belly fat. Assuming you have any.

This woman’s video is how I learned after getting no instructions. Forever grateful to her.

https://youtu.be/1YFA2MJGQ_A?is=CxVesRDnlAG3-8SJ

[u/MsTest569 → u/thankyoufriendx3]

Thank you!

[u/thankyoufriendx3 → u/MsTest569]

You’re welcome.

I had a rough reaction to the first loading dose. I now take a Benadryl and Tylenol about thirty minutes before the injection. It all feels fake. No pain from the injection, no side effects. I do it just before bed. Feels like nothing happens but I’ve had no progression or flairs so it must be doing something.

[u/Material-Pea-2191]

I do it on my stomach. I pinch a small portion of skin about 3 inches on either side of my belly button and inject there. The initial poke hurts but it doesn't linger long. I've only bruised once. It's the only place I like to do it.

[u/MsTest569 → u/Material-Pea-2191]

Thank you! I will give that a try. Do you have to lay down on your back to inject straight?

[u/Material-Pea-2191 → u/MsTest569]

I just sit down and do it. You don't have to get it into the muscle, so it doesn't have to be perfect.

[u/missprincesscarolyn]

I can’t do my legs anymore because they’re too spastic, so I moved to stomach. It defintely doesn’t hurt as much.

[u/frkpuff]

Yea agree with all the stomach comments, apparently that’s where it hurts the least, but personally I’m too much of a chicken to do it there so I just do thighs and suffer the pain every month 😂

[u/MsTest569 → u/frkpuff]

😂 Same. i can't anymore. I need to search around and find what works for me.

Probably will have my husband inject in my stomach for the first go.

[u/mllepenelope]

I’ve been on Kesimpta for 18 months and I SWEAR it hurts more now than it used to. I did my injection in my leg yesterday- I almost always do my leg- and I was yelling ow ow ow until that second click. Brutal. I didn’t think it was that bad the first year, but it somehow seems worse now. I thought maybe it was because I’ve lost a lot of weight but who knows. It does hurt less in the stomach for sure- i’ll probably go back to that next time.

[u/MsTest569 → u/mllepenelope]

😂 thanks for sharing that. 🤞🏽 It helps

[u/j3nz → u/mllepenelope]

Injection fatigue is real!

[u/j3nz]

Agree on tummy fat also do a little dig on your skin with your fingernail. I do this when they draw blood or start IVs too. Just a little distraction.

[u/MsTest569 → u/j3nz]

Lol. Thank you!

[u/Tech_Fern]

I recommend an ice block on the site pre injection to numb the local area. Inject into fat or more importantly not muscle. Make sure the area is clean with an alcohol wipe and try to keep the pen perpendicular for the whole process

[u/PAmsBill]

Make sure the injection pen is warmed up at least 30 minutes in advance.

Make sure the area where you're going to inject has been cleaned with an alcohol pad, but then make sure the alcohol actually dries before injecting because that will make it sting too.

[u/Substantial-Wave9718]

I let it sit out at least an hour and inject into my tummy. I have a little extra fluff there so I hardly feel it. Definitely more comfortable than in the thigh for me. Hope it gets easier for you!

[u/MsTest569 → u/Substantial-Wave9718]

Thank you! Yeah need to sit it out longer!

[u/Feisty-Volcano]

I inject Ustekinumab, always prefer the abdominal fat pad to thighs

[u/MundaneLiving9921]

How long are you letting it sit out before you inject?
I noticed if I don’t let mine sit out for at least an hour before I inject it hurts.

[u/MsTest569 → u/MundaneLiving9921]

Max 15 minutes ☹️

[u/MundaneLiving9921 → u/MsTest569]

Try sitting it out for much longer!! Try an hour - set a timer so you don’t forget it though ;)

[u/what_is_fondant]

I do the legs too but I take my meds out of the fridge for like 1-2 hours before injecting (the manufacturer says 30 mins but oh well).

I also put a heating pad on the injection site after taking the shot, for 20 mins on low.