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For years I've been battling psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with topical steroids. A couple of years ago I heard about this drug called Enbrel(or etanercept) that promised to take care of it. The only down side? It's injected.

For those of you who don't know, I have a terrible fear of needles. So bad that I get dental work done anesthesia-free.

Well, after about two years of trying to get on it, then fretting over how in the world I would ever inject myself twice a week, I did it.

Friday I gave myself my first ever Enbrel shot in the leg. I sat there with the nurse for an hour shaking and sweating and nearly throwing up before I finally got the nerve to hit the button on the sureclick autoinjector. When I decided to shoot, I had been so nervous that my hands were too weak and sweaty to hit the button. I had to dry off and relax a bit before I was able to press it. I did it though.

You know what? It wasn't too bad. I'm actually excited for number two tomorrow.

I´m using Wikipedia a lot today.

Well, congratulations. I have a needle vs kneecap experience burned into my memory, so I don´t exactly envy you. Thumbs up!

Congratulations!

I have an irydophobiac friend, and belive me, I know exactly what it's like. I've seen it so many times... When he broke his leg and had to take interjections to prevent blood from coagulating... jeepers, it was horrible. We're quite, quite close, and our frienship is also based on the fact that we're both phobic - needles for him, spiders for me. It's good when someone understands, isn't it? Instead of hearing "oh for god's sake, get over with it! You're so hysterical!"

Congratulations Jop!

I am quite claustrophobic, and I've also tended to freak out when in a large crowd. Then... we lived near Tokyo for a while and I had to deal with the subway... It was a real moment of triumph for me when I realised I could do it. No, it wasn't enjoyable, and I still avoid crowds when I can, but I finally learned to at least control the irrational urge to run screaming.

So, I know exactly what you are experiencing right now; it feels incredibly good to be able to master that base terror and exert some will over it.

It is also great to hear you have found a way to treat your skin condition. I have long had eczema, and though it is fully under control now, I have been hospitalised because of it. So, again, I well understand just how wonderful it feels to not have a severe skin problem dictate your life.

So many cheers! *raises glass for a toast*

Congrats. That takes guts!

(though I must admit I initially thought this thread was about something else entirely...)

Congratulations!!

I know the situation you were in, as I once was as well very scared of needless. It was quite pain to me when I had to begin my allergy treating by needles, as my allergic was so bad during summers...

The first shot was one of the worst situations I have ever been. But now, after three years and one shot every 3-4 weeks, I'm not scared to needles anymore...

Hope you get away that fear towards needles as I did...

I've never worried about needles but I can still respect what your doing/done

We all must master our fears. The worst part is the second before and the best about 30 seconds afterwards. Least it is for me

jopperm2 wrote:For those of you who don't know, I have a terrible fear of needles. So bad that I get dental work done anesthesia-free.

Thanks guys!

@Tricky, Wikipedia is my friend. That kneecap thing sounds terrible!

@QuenGalad, It really is nice. I'm so sorry that you have a problem with spiders. At least I can avoid my fear when I need to. Yours just sneaks up on you. Are there many spiders where you live? The ones here in Florida are hell.

@DW, Thanks! Wow, it's been so long since we've spoken. I have so much to tell you, espescially on that issue we were talking about. Are you still at the same number? Mine has changed, but if it's okay I'll call you sometime.

@Moonbiter, Ha! Apparently you don't know me that well. Never had any problems on that front!

@Kipi, I'm glad you were able to get over it. It's a terrible problem to have. I have to take shots twice a week now (in fact, today is number 2), but it's an autoinjector. I don't know if I could ever do a syringe!

@Craig, Thanks!

@AmpaSand, I'm a little odd in that when I got there, I just absolutely couldn't do it. It got better as time went on and about an hour later I calmly hit the button. It was such a painless injection that once it was in I felt great about it.

@Mr Spanky, Yeah.. That bad.

jopperm2 wrote: That kneecap thing sounds terrible!

It happened during a biking accident when I was thirteen or fourteen years old. My leg got trapped between two other bikes and someone tried to pull me away. In doing so he tore cartilage in my knee, which led to a fluid build-up that had to be drained. I'm not sure why, but the first anaesthetics injection didn't quite penetrate the innermost parts of my knee. I can remember the feeling of that cold needle draining fluids from my knee quite well.

I've only had travelling injection since, but they were done with that before I noticed they were taking them.

Oh god, that's the most horrible thing imaginable.

Well, I'm off to take my shot!

Congratulations. I'm hate needles and I think I'm due one next year but to have an injection twice a week takes guts.

Just don't go crazy with those drugs now.

@DW, Thanks! Wow, it's been so long since we've spoken. I have so much to tell you, espescially on that issue we were talking about. Are you still at the same number? Mine has changed, but if it's okay I'll call you sometime.

Hey Jopp!
I'd like to chat, and chances are that my number has changed since we last spoke. I'll PM you with my new number.

@Magelord, I almost think the twice a week thing is easier. There's less anticipation. Plus, this needle is really easy -- well, as far as needles go. :laugh:

@DW, yep, it's changed. I just tossed the old one and put the new one in my phone.

Well, folks, I just took my second injection and it was way easier than the first. It hurt less too because the nurse told me a better way to do it.

By the way, there's nothing more akward than sitting in one's underwear, doing something one is terrified of, in front of the most attractive nurse on the planet!

jopperm2 wrote: By the way, there's nothing more akward than sitting in one's underwear, doing something one is terrified of, in front of the most attractive nurse on the planet!

ROFL! :laugh:
That is yet another instance where I think women have it so much easier....

jopperm2 wrote:By the way, there's nothing more awkward than sitting in one's underwear, doing something one is terrified of, in front of the most attractive nurse on the planet!

They see much worse. Don't worry.

Magelord648 wrote:They see much worse. Don't worry.

Perhaps... But do we *really* want to dwell on it?

I can't imagine what hospital nurses walk in on. :laugh:

My ex is a hairdresser and she freaked out the other day because she erm.. affected a thirteen-year-old boy. I had to tell her that a slight wind will do that!

Magelord648 wrote:They see much worse. Don't worry.

I'll never forget the experience of lying there with my bum exposed before five pretty young nurses, right before a colonoscopy. Under the circumstances, knocking me out with an anaesthetic was incredibly humane.