Post 3: The dreaded medication

Without a shadow of a doubt, the worse part of this experience, particularly for Eve, were the regular injections. In an effort to control the flares and stop damage to her joints, Eve was prescribed weekly injections of an immunosuppressant drug called Methotrexate. However, this alone was not having the desired effect, so she was also prescribed fortnightly injections of a biological drug called Amgevita. Being the overthinker that I am, I read up on these drugs and the list of possible side effects was petrifying! But truth be told, as they took effect on Eve’s immune system, I could see that the risk was worthwhile. The swelling in her left hand subsided and she was able to play football again, twisting and turning like a young Lionel Messi.

However, Eve absolutely detested the injections and would make every excuse under the sun to avoid taking them. She had almost become phobic of them; she would suffer from nausea at the thought of the injection, and some weeks would physically throw up. It was extremely stressful on Eve, but also on her Mum who had to administer the injections. Eve also complained that Amgevita was stingy when she was given an injection, so the rheumy team changed for a biological medication called Humira, which lessened the stinging but was nonetheless still an injection.

I’d love to be able to say that we found a fantastic technique for injection day that I could suggest to other parents, but it would be a lie. Being honest, it was a weekly battle which was sometimes tolerable and others terrible, but we managed to get through it. Eve detested the smell of the alcohol wipes because she associated it with injection time and even through covid, the smell of alcohol gel would fill her with that same dread. Eve liked a little glass of juice that she would constantly sip at to distract from the fact her mouth was watering. Once she finally accepted that she had to get the injection, she would then just want it over and done with as quickly as possible. Although this was difficult and I'm glad we haven't had to go through it in the past year, it is good to know that if she flared up again, that there are medications available which do work.

Please use the links below if you wish to read the other posts in this blog series: 

Post 1: Diagnosis & Eve's fat finger

Post 2: Joint injections & worried parents

Post 3: The dreaded medication

Post 4: Remission