Taltz - Kat's journey continues

[Kat]

So complicated, don't these people appreciate that people with psoriasis shoud avid stress. 

Yes I would hold of till you are sure. These things cost huge amounts of money and you don't want to be paying the full price for it.

I'm sure it's fine as I doubt the pharmacy would have mailed it to me until AFTER getting approval if it was a problem, so not stressing at the moment...

BUT... better to be safe than be totally stressed later trying to pay that bill!!!!

[jiml]

Oh Kat it seems there's always an obstacle with medication seems as if you have hit one over there and I have one here to sort out Monday
Good luck with getting a good result 

[Bill]

I hope it works out okay for you, Kat. I can understand you wanting confirmation. The buck stops with you once you inject.

[Kat]

Okay so called the pharmacy that sent the Taltz and they said not to worry, they will appeal the insurance denial and that I will never be billed more than $25.00.

So, this is what they sent me:



Not quite as nice as the Cosentyx package with the little travel bag and such.  Basically the same as Cosentyx except due to the design you don't have to pinch the skin and you do have to unlock the pen and depress a button.

Here is where I'm starting from:




So I did the first two injections.

Ouch!

I let the pens sit for 40 minutes and I expected a bit of a sting.  It didn't disappoint, the good news is that this pen goes must faster than the Cosentyx... the bad news is I could still feel the sting after the injection ended and the site was immediately tender as I dabbed at the little blood spot. 

So I put the second pen under my armpit just to make sure it wasn't too cool and it was definitely better, much less sting (although still a little) but still a bit painful AFTER the injection, dabbing at the little blood spot.  I'd say it took a few minutes for the "effect" to go away.

Costentyx was much nicer (virtually pain free) but if Taltz clears me up, I won't complain over a couple of uncomfortable minutes. 

Again, following their guidelines this was week 0.  I did two initial injections (80 ml each)  It's the only time I will do two injections, the rest will only be one injection.

The next one is due in two weeks.

I'll update soon as I notice an improvement.

[Fred]

Good luck Kat, and good information for others.

[Kat]

Okay so today is injection day.  I almost forgot as it's been a busy day.  Just took a picture and waiting for the injection pen to warm up a bit.  I did forget to mention that I am doing the injections in my stomach and will continue there unless I state otherwise.



As you can see, about the same.  Better than most days   Although I've found it's a bit deceiving picture as it's still itchy and annoying. I try to accurately show what my skin looks like prior to the injection. This morning that same ear was much redder and irritated, possibly from scratching . It's amazing to me how much it goes back and forth even on the same day. But despite the picture perhaps looking better, I do think I'm still at about the same place. Time will tell.

Ok, now off to do the injection. 

So I let it set out for about 40 minutes, then put it under my arm for a couple of minutes.  The sting was still there but minimal.  However, there is this strange after effect that I'm not crazy about.  The injection is fairly quick and the sting goes away just as quick, but there is a … it almost feels like you've cut yourself and there is a small amount of lingering "pain" like you'd experience from a small cut that stays around for I'd say about 10 minutes or so afterwards.  Then it starts to ease off and it's over.  It's not a bad pain, just a bit annoying as it doesn't seem like there should be any pain afterwards.  Well it's only my third injection so we'll see if that changes in the future.  DEFINITELY not as pain free at the Stelara or Cosentyx though!!  I wish I could describe it better.

[Turnedlight]

I think I found the taltz injection a bit more painful too. I wonder if they use thicker needles! I hope the treatment works for you.

[Fred]

Try the pre-filled syringe.

[Kat]

Thanks TL! I also wonder if it's a thicker needle or if I'm pushing it too hard, with the Cosentyx you pinched the skin but with the Taltz you just hold it there. I don't pinch the skin but perhaps I'm pushing it down too far, next injection I'll be more aware of that and see.


Fred, that's what the nurse suggested at the beginning. Since you can control it you can inject the medicine slower and she said it's much less of a problem with stinging, etc. But, I have a few issues that concern me with trying it. I have a difficult time explaining it, even to people who know me personally. I had a hand injury a few years back and although you can't tell there's an issue, the hand no longer works the same. It can be awkward when it comes to fine motor skills or certain angles. Now I have people who could inject me if it were to be a problem (which I feel certain self injecting with a syringe would be) but I prefer to be self sufficient on that. I don't mind the help but I don't want to rely on it.

The pain isn't awful or anything (I don't want to scare anyone off!) But I do think one should expect perhaps a bit of discomfort using the pen. And discomfort is probably the best word for it. But it's important to make sure it's not still cold. With the fast injection it WILL sting like crazy if you don't.

Another option (according to the directions) is to ice the area prior to injecting. I may have to give that a try in the future although I could see icing my leg, icing my stomach seems a bit weird.

[Fred]

I have people who could inject me if it were to be a problem (which I feel certain self injecting with a syringe would be) but I prefer to be self sufficient on that.  I don't mind the help but I don't want to rely on it.

I can understand that.

If I remember correctly there is a spray you can get to numb the are before the shot. Not tried it myself, but it could be worth asking about or looking into.