Injection anxiety

[bridgetreilly]

I have been prescribed Mounjaro on the NHS (diabetes not under control as well as wildly obese with a host of other conditions), which I am excited about, but I am very nervous about the injection part.

Can anyone give advice about the best way to do it and reassure me that I will be able to manage it?

Thanks!

Can you ask nurse at GP to inject it for you first few times? My pharmacist does mine as I’m needle phobic.

I inject mine in my thigh as I can sit down and do it. It really doesn’t hurt, can’t feel anything.

I’ve lost 3 stone since 11th February, it’s life changing.

Its the first 2-3 that are stressful for most people but after that, it become second nature. The needle is tiny and you barely feel anything. I have found pricking my fingers to check sugar levels more painful than that. And if you ever had to take anti clotting injection after any surgery, then you can definitely do Mounjaro 😁.

Read the paper instructions that came with the pen a few times. Watch a video online if that’s your sort of thing. It’s unfamiliar to most people, as most people don’t normally self inject, which can feed into anxiety.

The leaflet will show you where you can inject exactly, but in general it’s stomach, thigh or arm. I have always done stomach as it’s easy to reach and I have plenty of target area there!

It doesn’t hurt at all, really it doesn’t. I usually don’t feel anything at all, and I can only tell I’m doing it by watching rather than by feel. The needle is tiny, only 4mm long, and very very fine. I have been needle phobic in the past, but nothing about the Mounjaro Kwikpen triggers any of that. I was a little nervous the first time, just about making sure I was doing it right, but it was a total anticlimax thankfully!

Nobody could be a bigger needle phobe than me (fainting) but then I had to take multiple injections each day… the idea stressed me so much, but I weirdly came to not care about it. It’s actually better when you’re in control I think. And yes if you're overweight and do them to the side of stomach, you pinch a bit of fat out kinda thing, it really doesn’t hurt!

Biggest advice is try not to overthink it. I did on my first and just wound myself up so much for nearly an hour that I was shaking. When you are ready just do it slowly/calmly/step by step.

Set it all up as in the instructions. Point the pen needle at your stomach (I hold my stomach with my other hand to keep it steady), don't hang about getting more upset, just close your eyes and gently bring forward until you feel the plastic bit (as you probably won't feel the needle), then open your eyes, breathe/relax, push down the dose knob/count to10 before looking away and pulling straight out.

If worried about it being sore, numbing the area with something cold from the freezer can really help psychologically but it really isn't needed. Once you have done it a couple of times it becomes much easier.

Thank you so much, everyone. I am still nervous but hopeful that I can do this!

The first time I did it, I was sure I hadn't injected it correctly because I felt absolutely nothing. I had injected correctly, and continue to feel nothing when I do it. It's not like the blood test I had this morning (ouch!). Don't worry.

You'll be fine!

I actually enjoy stabbing myself with the pen now because I jab it in my belly fat and it feels v therapeutic! Like I'm take my anger out at my belly and telling it to fuck off and never come back!!!

It honestly does not hurt AT ALL!! It's not even a small scratch feeling! I don't know if that's just because my belly is so big, but I really don't feel it going in!

Hopefully OP you will learn to love the injection and know that each time you do it you are a step closer to saying a permanent goodbye to the belly!!

Try not to see your belly or leg or whatever as part of you, but instead as someone you dislike and that you feeling like giving a poke to!! Works for me :)!! Pretend the belly is Donald trump and give him a good old stab with the pen!! Most cathartic 🤣🤣

It's definitely not as painful as the blood sugar finger pen. In fact first few times, I wondered if I'd done it right as didn't really feel anything!

I do it in my stomach pinching my flab lol. It was a bit sore last week but only afterwards and I think that's because (not a scientific opinion) that after 9 weeks I've got less flab to pinch 🤣

Pinching isn’t necessary, although if you want to you can. You just need to insert the needle straight on which can easily be done without needing to pinch.

Great advice and very reassuring, thank you!

I have done it!

I freaked out initially, so I walked away for a few minutes, put some music on, reminded myself that I constantly poke myself with pins and needles while sewing, googled to check the best spot, took a deep breath and… it didn’t hurt! I could feel it initially pierce the skin then nothing. So it won’t be as scary next time, I hope.

Thanks for all your support. Now into the wonderful world of side-effects!

@bridgetreilly oh well done, pleased to hear you’ve managed it!