Cosentyx - Kat's journey

[Kat]

Thanks, I hope so as well.  The nurse called to ask how long my drive to them is (answer: about 45 min to an hour) so she told me to use the travel pack and when I'm about 30 minutes out to take it out of the pack so it can warm up to room temp (or car temp I guess).  I told her I figured I'd do that when I get to the doctor's office, she replied that I shouldn't have to wait since I'm not seeing the doctor.  So I said ok you're taking me right back when I get there and she paused.....  then she said well you might have about a 10 minute wait.  So a question for those who know....... How long can it set out?  I'd like for it to not be cold as that can cause some discomfort from what I've read here and what the nurse said but also I don't want to have it sit out too long since I'm sure there is a reason it's kept cold.  I haven't read through "ALL" the paperwork they sent which may answer that question but honestly most of it is repetitive and I've already heard it here, through the doctor, pharmacy, or through the Cosentyx site.

I always go for 20 mins to half an hour. But I have used them within 5 minutes without any discomfort and as far as I know, as long as it doesn't get to body temperature it will be fine.

You have used Stelara, it's the same but two shots instead of one. *Unless you have the Pen type shots, which I don't use as I find the syringe easier.

What I'm saying is, you know the score as you have used Stelara so the nurse won't be teaching you anything you don't already know.

Actually due to how my the billing worked out for Stelara, I never injected myself. I had to go to the hospital every 3 months for my injection. It was weird, but it's how it worked out.

Also, I will be having the pen. I injured my hand quite a few years back and it just doesn't work quite as well as it used to, although it looks fine. I have some issues with motor skills in that hand due to joints not working as well so after discussing it with the nurse we both felt the pen would be the better choice. According to her, the pen can be easier for people with arthritis so the thought is that it would be easier for me. Daughter is going with me so if for some reason I have any difficulty, she can do the injections. The thought of the injection itself doesn't bother me.

I did read the instructions which say 15-30 minutes. So I think I'll take it out of the bag when I'm about 10-15 minutes away from the doctor office. That would mean it SHOULD be within the 30 minute time frame or at least very close.

Thanks Fred!

[Fred]

Actually due to how my the billing worked out for Stelara, I never injected myself.  I had to go to the hospital every 3 months for my injection.  It was weird, but it's how it worked out.  

Also, I will be having the pen.  I injured my hand quite a few years back and it just doesn't work quite as well as it used to, although it looks fine.  I have some issues with motor skills in that hand due to joints not working as well so after discussing it with the nurse we both felt the pen would be the better choice.  According to her, the pen can be easier for people with arthritis so the thought is that it would be easier for me.  Daughter is going with me so if for some reason I have any difficulty, she can do the injections.   The thought of the injection itself doesn't bother me.  

I did read the instructions which say 15-30 minutes.  So I think I'll take it out of the bag when I'm about  10-15 minutes away from the doctor office.  That would mean it SHOULD be within the 30 minute time frame or at least very close.

Thanks Fred!

I always assume everyone does their own injections, but obviously for all sorts of reasons some can not. Good idea to take your daughter with you.

Hopefully the Cosentyx will work as well on your joints as it did for me.

[Raxyl]

Thanks, I hope so as well.  The nurse called to ask how long my drive to them is (answer: about 45 min to an hour) so she told me to use the travel pack and when I'm about 30 minutes out to take it out of the pack so it can warm up to room temp (or car temp I guess).  I told her I figured I'd do that when I get to the doctor's office, she replied that I shouldn't have to wait since I'm not seeing the doctor.  So I said ok you're taking me right back when I get there and she paused.....  then she said well you might have about a 10 minute wait.  So a question for those who know....... How long can it set out?  I'd like for it to not be cold as that can cause some discomfort from what I've read here and what the nurse said but also I don't want to have it sit out too long since I'm sure there is a reason it's kept cold.  I haven't read through "ALL" the paperwork they sent which may answer that question but honestly most of it is repetitive and I've already heard it here, through the doctor, pharmacy, or through the Cosentyx site.

I always go for 20 mins to half an hour. But I have used them within 5 minutes without any discomfort and as far as I know, as long as it doesn't get to body temperature it will be fine.

You have used Stelara, it's the same but two shots instead of one. *Unless you have the Pen type shots, which I don't use as I find the syringe easier.

What I'm saying is, you know the score as you have used Stelara so the nurse won't be teaching you anything you don't already know.

Actually due to how my the billing worked out for Stelara, I never injected myself.  I had to go to the hospital every 3 months for my injection.  It was weird, but it's how it worked out.  

Also, I will be having the pen.  I injured my hand quite a few years back and it just doesn't work quite as well as it used to, although it looks fine.  I have some issues with motor skills in that hand due to joints not working as well so after discussing it with the nurse we both felt the pen would be the better choice.  According to her, the pen can be easier for people with arthritis so the thought is that it would be easier for me.  Daughter is going with me so if for some reason I have any difficulty, she can do the injections.   The thought of the injection itself doesn't bother me.  

I did read the instructions which say 15-30 minutes.  So I think I'll take it out of the bag when I'm about  10-15 minutes away from the doctor office.  That would mean it SHOULD be within the 30 minute time frame or at least very close.

Thanks Fred!

Hi Kat, I also leave mine out for 20-30min with no issues. If you have the pen it just requires you to push the pen against the body part you are injecting, the pressure fires the injection, then hold it in place for a slow count to ten and you are done.

[Kat]

Thanks, I hope so as well.  The nurse called to ask how long my drive to them is (answer: about 45 min to an hour) so she told me to use the travel pack and when I'm about 30 minutes out to take it out of the pack so it can warm up to room temp (or car temp I guess).  I told her I figured I'd do that when I get to the doctor's office, she replied that I shouldn't have to wait since I'm not seeing the doctor.  So I said ok you're taking me right back when I get there and she paused.....  then she said well you might have about a 10 minute wait.  So a question for those who know....... How long can it set out?  I'd like for it to not be cold as that can cause some discomfort from what I've read here and what the nurse said but also I don't want to have it sit out too long since I'm sure there is a reason it's kept cold.  I haven't read through "ALL" the paperwork they sent which may answer that question but honestly most of it is repetitive and I've already heard it here, through the doctor, pharmacy, or through the Cosentyx site.

I always go for 20 mins to half an hour. But I have used them within 5 minutes without any discomfort and as far as I know, as long as it doesn't get to body temperature it will be fine.

You have used Stelara, it's the same but two shots instead of one. *Unless you have the Pen type shots, which I don't use as I find the syringe easier.

What I'm saying is, you know the score as you have used Stelara so the nurse won't be teaching you anything you don't already know.

Actually due to how my the billing worked out for Stelara, I never injected myself.  I had to go to the hospital every 3 months for my injection.  It was weird, but it's how it worked out.  

Also, I will be having the pen.  I injured my hand quite a few years back and it just doesn't work quite as well as it used to, although it looks fine.  I have some issues with motor skills in that hand due to joints not working as well so after discussing it with the nurse we both felt the pen would be the better choice.  According to her, the pen can be easier for people with arthritis so the thought is that it would be easier for me.  Daughter is going with me so if for some reason I have any difficulty, she can do the injections.   The thought of the injection itself doesn't bother me.  

I did read the instructions which say 15-30 minutes.  So I think I'll take it out of the bag when I'm about  10-15 minutes away from the doctor office.  That would mean it SHOULD be within the 30 minute time frame or at least very close.

Thanks Fred!

Hi Kat, I also leave mine out for 20-30min with no issues. If you have the pen it just requires you to push the pen against the body part you are injecting, the pressure fires the injection, then hold it in place for a slow count to ten and you are done.

Thanks for the info! Sounds simple enough. I more worry about keeping the angle correct but we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

[Raxyl]

I don't find keeping it on the correct angle 90° to the body too much of a problem. Basically, you press it against you until it fires (clicks), then hold it in place while the spring pressure in the pen injects the cosentyx. you can tell when it is fully injected when the sight glass is yellow, not clear. Wait for the click, then hold for the count of ten. I'm sure the nurses you see will guide you through the process and it will go smoothly.

[artemie]

When I went for my Stelara jab in the hospital, first to the pharmacy. I took the Stelara out of the packet and put it under my armpit to warm it up. It only dropped once, I swear =]

[Kat]

When I went for my Stelara jab in the hospital, first to the pharmacy. I took the Stelara out of the packet and put it under my armpit to warm it up. It only dropped once, I swear =]

[Kat]

Okay went for my first injection today.  I'll start with a picture and for this thread I will concentrate on the area behind my left ear since that is the area that gives me the most problems it seems.  (If you want to see more images, I will be posting a bit more pictures in my journal thread [Group Specific].  If you can't access, it means you will need to wait till you've met the required amount of posts to access that area.



So I took the Cosentyx out of the travel bag 20 minutes before my appointment.  One thing I noticed was that they were VERY cold, colder than when I took out of the fridge.  By the time the nurse called me back, the two pens had been out for 35 minutes.  The nurse did the first injection (upper leg) and it burned quite a bit.  So she told me to hold the other pen in my hands to warm it up a bit more and she did paperwork as she said the only way it should burn would be if it was too cold.  I did the second injection (stomach) and felt nothing at all.  So I can say that as long as you let it warm up a bit, there appears to be 0 pain involved.  


This was week 0 (according to the nurse) and for the next 4 Wednesdays I will be doing 2 injections (total of 300mg) each Wednesday and then go to once per month.

So far I feel fine  

And honest, my hair isn't as gray as it looks in that picture!!!     (Ok, maybe I'm in a bit of denial)

Update due to wrong post link!

[Kat]

And just to add.... the nurse said they (the Cosentyx pens) shouldn't be out of the fridge for more than one hour.  I did wonder what the maximum amount of time would be so for anyone else wondering, there you have it.  I'm sure that's just a guideline though so it's probably more of "about an hour" as the max meaning probably less than an hour to be on the safe side.

[Caroline]

Good to hear zero pain is basiscally involved. That is very comfortable.
Will follow your progress carefully