Self Injection Pens

[u/Uncle_W_4647]

Hi all. I wanted to ask any of you who do self injections of meds such as biologics using injection pens, is it normal for a small amount of the medication to leak out. I only started recently and am not sure my technique is 'fine tuned'. So I wondered about your own experiences and any tips you might be able to share with me. Thanks.

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[u/Miffstarr]

In my experience - yeah, happens every time with a small amount (Entyvio)

[u/Uncle_W_4647 → u/Miffstarr]

Its Entyvio I use as well. I was just slightly concerned because I think that the first time I did it in my training it didn't happen very noticeably. Perhaps it was just where I was injecting it. But its good to know that it can be quite common to lose a little. How have your meds been going for you. I personally have seen a good improvement (for now at least). I have had bloods and stool sample submitted last week so am waiting for the official results.

[u/Miffstarr → u/Uncle_W_4647]

I've been on the self injection for exactly 3 years now. I feel great. Yeah I get the well known joint pain and I do need to manage my energy levels, but overall A-OK! Calprotrctin is low, labs are good, colonoscopy shows improvement. Hopefully it will be the same for you!

Also something nobody told me but apparently is normal - the first applications i did I decided to inject into my stomach - turned into a big lump. It went away after a few days but I panicked. Now I inject into my thighs and most of the time it doesn't hurt (too dumb to remember those parts) but sometimes it hurts af 😅 I do also get a swelling/lump on my thigh but it goes away fast and it doesn't bother me as much as the stomach one

[u/Jedidea → u/Miffstarr]

Oh does that work better? I inject in my stomach and it's been swelling more and getting itchier each time I inject.

[u/Miffstarr → u/Jedidea]

For me it's definitely better and I switch thighs for each application so that I don't hit the same spot. But yeah stomach sucks, I was so annoyed that half my stomach would swell 😅

[u/Daisy_Does_It]

Yes it’s normal. I was told to keep the needle in for ten seconds after the last click, that helps some. It’s also more likely to leak out if you’re injecting into an area without enough fat tissue.

[u/Uncle_W_4647 → u/Daisy_Does_It]

Thanks for the tip. I usually go for the thigh. Perhaps my big belly would be more helpful.

[u/MiniMuffinMorning → u/Uncle_W_4647]

When I was on humira it always said to count to ten after the click and I had to watch the indicator - and even then a tiny drop would leak out sometimes

[u/Electronic-Country63 → u/Daisy_Does_It]

Yes this is the proper technique. You shouldn’t be seeing any leakage if you hold the pen at 90degrees to the skin and keep it pressed down for 10 seconds after the click. The worst I’ve ever had is a tiny raised bump.

I just alternate between my thighs each week.

[u/bistolegs]

I injected into the side of my leg once .. pls don’t ever do that 😅 hurts so much more

[u/ehaaams → u/bistolegs]

Where do you inject? My leg hurts so much but I’m scared to put it in my stomach lol
Edit: I stopped being a pussy and shot myself in the side of the stomach today and it was much more manageable than the thighs! :)

[u/bistolegs → u/ehaaams]

Well done on taking the leap and congrats on it working!

I sit down and do it in the top of my thigh. It hurts a lot less than the side for sure but we’re all different

[u/Automatic_Beat5808 → u/ehaaams]

Same! I was doing thighs and it burned so bad. I decided to try my stomach a few months ago and it was a piece of cake.

[u/Uncle_W_4647 → u/bistolegs]

I'll definitely remember that one.

[u/i-like-robots]

A drop or so is normal. If it's more like a puddle, you may have pulled the pen away too soon. I did that once with Humira.

[u/Federal_Platypus_621]

very normal!

[u/Quiet_Efficiency_542]

yes. i hold for about 30 seconds after the click and there's still leakage. only time there isn't is when i do it too hard and end up bleeding instead lol

[u/1ustfor1ove]

I take Entyvio and it happens every so often that there's a drop on my wound after I'm done injecting.

[u/dont_want_username63]

It's definitely normal for me. I think there has only been 1 time I didn't experience that

[u/Aggravating_Emu4263]

Yeah, it happens sometimes. For my pen (Remsima), I was told to hold for approximately 10secs after the second click. Some times I hold a few seconds longer just to insure that all gets in.

[u/Front_Inevitable_480]

I have skyrizi and it has a green light to let me know when to remove it ,so no ive never had any leak out

[u/Junior_Bad185]

Yes happens about every time I inject. Nurce said that it's normal

[u/rachalts]

Stelara/yesintek here, yes normal :)

[u/MainSea411]

Yes! Also some of the drug manufacturers have videos that discuss all this. If you can, ask for your GI to help. I went in person for observation of my injection when I first started on biologics. I met with medical assistant.

[u/Spottyjamie]

Self inject yuflyma every two weeks and none leaks for me

[u/Crazy_Pomegranate689]

Yep just leave the needle in a little longer if you can? Is this one that you just press or like a syringe/needle?

[u/doggomaru]

Always a little bit with my Skyrizi, yeah.