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Fears, I think that we all have them, some are rational and some are totally irrational. When I was younger I had an overactive imagination and I was afraid to look in mirrors when it was dark. I knew it was only me staring back but my overactive imagination thought it was about a thousand other things.
Yesterday I conquered one of my fears, giving myself injections. My RA has not improved on the medications that I started during the past summer, in fact, in many ways it has gotten worse. After much discussion and waiting 6 months to see if the meds would make a difference my doctor and I decided to start Humira. It is an injectible medication that helps many people in my situation. It comes in a pen injector and I have to admit I was petrified of it.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not afraid of needles. I take shots and give blood like a pro (I’ve only fainted from a blood draw one time and in my defense, I was 7 months pregnant!). However, giving myself injections has always petrified me. I had a bad experience with an injectible medication as a teenager and it has haunted me ever since.
Well yesterday, I did it! I gave myself a shot. The nurse and doctor told me I might see results as soon as one month but it could take up to two for pronounced differences to be felt. This is huge news for me as it might mean a true improvement in my (and my family’s) quality of life.
I really hope that in a month or two I will be reporting back about how much better I have been feeling. In the mean time I am celebrating overcoming a fear that was so deep I was practically in tears while preparing to give myself the shot.
Have a happy weekend everyone! Go conquer a fear!
Yay for you!! I hope that this new medication works for you!
I had to give myself injections for a blood clot and it made me very queasy, I got used to it after a few days but I always hesitated to do it even though it didn’t really hurt. I hope you find it makes a big difference for you!
I am so proud of you for conquering your fear!! Praying it helps soon!! 🙂
Congrats! I hope the meds work and you can live the life you want to life.
You go Girl!! I look like that kitty everytime a thunderstorm comes through……grin. Feel Better!!
Well I hope it does it for you, sooner rather than later!
LOL that kitty is so cute and like all of us in one way or another. Im so proud of you for stepping on that fear and taking care of yourself. Hope this works for you.
Here is a testimony I think you might like, http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/02/15/3738028/star-cake-artist-catherine-ruehle.html She has RA also
You are one of the braver people I know. I cringe when I look at a needle; I have always had a weak stomach when it comes to that. Thanks for making me smile with the kitty picture and best wishes for perfect health!
It takes an amazing amount of courage and strength to look your fear in the eye and go beyond it! Way to go!!! Praying you will feel relief in much less than a month!!! That was a great article Missy posted about – good information even for those without RA who just want to be healthy!
I am happy for you that what was needed was accomplished. As our Lord said “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” I will keep you in my prayers for your RA.
Courage is a wonderful thing (wish I had more of it, glad for you that you have enough, at least to get over this particular hump!). Here’s hoping that this will work for you (and that you stay brave!) – I’m darned proud of ya!!!
Yay! see I told you it wouldn’t be so bad. I pray you see great results soon!
I completely understand that fear! It’s how I’ve always felt if I get diabetes – oh, no, how will I give myself injections! Good for you. I hope this is the magic that makes things better!
Good for you, sweetie! Cheering you on here in SC! You can do it! Sure hope that the meds are just the right formula for you…. 🙂
Aplausos para usted.Pisar los miedos es una alegría !
Melissa,you are an Inspiration to us all! That is wonderful,you were able to conquer that fear :0) “We have nothing to fear,but fear itself” Praying that you see results in the very near future!
Hope the three of you have a wonderful weekend!
Congrats! I used to be terrified to even see a needle…but working with Public Health cured that – I got sent out with nurses to give immunizations in schools. Ha. now I have given my grandmother and my mother both shots.
Congratulations – that’s awesome. You’ll be an old pro at it before you know it. I used to have to give my mom shots when she had cancer, and I totally hated it. She didn’t mind at all, but I just cringed, so I know what you’re dealing with. I hope that drug works well for you!
Good for you, Melissa! When I first started with the pen injected shots, I had to have my son do it for the first couple of times. The first time I sat down to do it, I felt like I was going to pass out from the anxiety! Once my son did it a few times, I knew what to expect. I went from that to self injecting with a syringe into my belly. I couldn’t get anyone else in the house to do it for me, so I had to bite the bullet! I hope that the Humira is a good choice for you and that you start feeling better very soon!
Melissa – I hope the Humira works for you as well as it has for my Crohn’s Disease. I have taken if for 4 1/2 months since other meds were not working and I was getting worse instead of better. I feel so much better and have just seen my doctor and the blood labs are finally all in the normal range, inflammation much decreased and I gained back a few of the 85 pounds I lost during the last year and a half. The self-injections are very doable. Think positive and my prayers for better health are sent your way.
Congratulations Melissa! Woot! Woot! I’m so happy for you that your fear of needles has bit the dust, hehe. I know if you have a goal, you will prevail! I hope this medicine works for you and there are lots of “feel good” days ahead! I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Congratulations on facing your fear! It has to feel empowering. I faced one of my fears this week even if I didn’t totally conquer it- my husband and I kayaked a few hundred feet away from the shore on vacation… Which kind of terrified me because I don’t know how to swim! Afterward I was proud though. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience!
I’m just a little behind here but I’m very proud of you! You are one of the most courageous people I know. :O) I hope the new meds work wonders.
I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE FINALLY ON THIS! As you know, my Enbrel made a huge difference even within the first 2 weeks. I have energy, and now 2 months in, I have very little swelling. I am praying you will see dramatic differences soon. I too was terrified to do the shot the first time alone. And each week it is still a struggle, but now I know what to expect. Mine doesn’t hurt when the needle goes in, but the 15 seconds of the medicine injecting burns. I just have to think about how much it is helping, and I make it through another week.
Well done for you! Giving myself injections is something I would dread too. It was bad enough having gestational diabetes and having to finger prick to test bsl, and that was not having to inject anything in! My Grandfather had rheumatoid arthritis, but he developed it quite late in life, after 70. How awful to have it at such a young age and when all the medication can affect child bearing etc. I hope your pain and movement improves with your new medicine.
You’re stronger than you know – I’m proud of you for facing your fear! I hope it soon becomes very routine, and I hope and pray that you’ll see good results soon!
I would be like you Melissa…..scared to give myself an injection!! Congrats on conquering your fear and I sure hope it helps you kiddo!!