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Painful Kevzara Injection

Posted by kwahearn @kwahearn, Jul 13, 2025

I'm a 73-year-old female in otherwise good health, but was diagnosed with PMR in August 2024. After tapering down from 20 mg/day Prednisone to zero, then taking methotrexate (8- 2.5 tablets weekly), I had my first Kevzara injection last week. I was pleased that the self-injection pen needle did not hurt very much, but I was shocked at how painful the medicine was as it entered the subcutaneous layer of my abdomen. (I had set it out from the refrigerator for 2 hours prior to injection.) Has anyone else had the same pain?

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Profile picture for caroljeand
caroljeand | @caroljeand | Jan 17 11:31am
In reply to @biowicks "I used the Kevara autoinject pen today for the first time. Like you, I was pleased..." + (show)
Profile picture for biowicks @biowicks

I used the Kevara autoinject pen today for the first time. Like you, I was pleased with how little pain was triggered by the needle. However, once the medication started to dispense, I started screeching from the pain. It was very difficult to keep pressing the pen for the 15 seconds necessary to inject all the medication. I'm not looking forward to doing this every two weeks. And, I think the manufacturer has a duty to warn us about this. If I'd known what was coming, for me it would have been easier.

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@biowicks
I have taken 5 injections so far. The first was the most painful which I injected into my thigh area. My thigh was sore for almost a week.
Kevzara rep said it was because my body wasn’t used to it. The pen is very forceful when it releases. My skin is very thin and I have minimal fat under it. I’m sure I am more sensitive to the injection than people with more substantial tissues. I only weigh 120 pounds with clothes on.
Give it another try and hopefully the next injection will go more smoothly for you.

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mlz | @mlz | Jan 17 11:51am
In reply to @biowicks "I used the Kevara autoinject pen today for the first time. Like you, I was pleased..." + (show)
Profile picture for biowicks @biowicks

I used the Kevara autoinject pen today for the first time. Like you, I was pleased with how little pain was triggered by the needle. However, once the medication started to dispense, I started screeching from the pain. It was very difficult to keep pressing the pen for the 15 seconds necessary to inject all the medication. I'm not looking forward to doing this every two weeks. And, I think the manufacturer has a duty to warn us about this. If I'd known what was coming, for me it would have been easier.

Jump to this post

@biowicks
I have no pain while the medication is injecting and is at room temperature. When it's cold it can be painful.

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biowicks | @biowicks | Jan 17 12:29pm

I've read about the problem with the temperature of the pen. I had left it out for an hour, but next time I'm going to leave it out overnight to be sure it's at room temperature. Can you tell me how long you leave yours outside the frig?

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tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Jan 17 1:19pm
In reply to @caroljeand "@biowicks I have taken 5 injections so far. The first was the most painful which I..." + (show)
Profile picture for caroljeand @caroljeand

@biowicks
I have taken 5 injections so far. The first was the most painful which I injected into my thigh area. My thigh was sore for almost a week.
Kevzara rep said it was because my body wasn’t used to it. The pen is very forceful when it releases. My skin is very thin and I have minimal fat under it. I’m sure I am more sensitive to the injection than people with more substantial tissues. I only weigh 120 pounds with clothes on.
Give it another try and hopefully the next injection will go more smoothly for you.

Jump to this post

@caroljeand
All of my injections have been around the belly button, as pictured in the materials. No pain and as I said, I take out of refrigerator at least 1+ hrs ahead.

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caroljeand | @caroljeand | Jan 17 2:26pm
In reply to @tweetypie13 "@caroljeand All of my injections have been around the belly button, as pictured in the materials...." + (show)
Profile picture for tweetypie13 @tweetypie13

@caroljeand
All of my injections have been around the belly button, as pictured in the materials. No pain and as I said, I take out of refrigerator at least 1+ hrs ahead.

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@tweetypie13
Glad that works for you. I hesitate to inject near internal organs as I am not well coordinated with arthritis in my hands and wrists. It would be an awkward position for me.
I wish I felt comfortable doing it as I have plenty fat in that area. ☺️

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tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Jan 17 3:14pm
In reply to @caroljeand "@tweetypie13 Glad that works for you. I hesitate to inject near internal organs as I am..." + (show)
Profile picture for caroljeand @caroljeand

@tweetypie13
Glad that works for you. I hesitate to inject near internal organs as I am not well coordinated with arthritis in my hands and wrists. It would be an awkward position for me.
I wish I felt comfortable doing it as I have plenty fat in that area. ☺️

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@caroljeand
Do you have a friend or partner?

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caroljeand | @caroljeand | Jan 17 3:56pm
In reply to @tweetypie13 "@caroljeand Do you have a friend or partner?" + (show)
Profile picture for tweetypie13 @tweetypie13

@caroljeand
Do you have a friend or partner?

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@tweetypie13
No one in the house and hate to impose on anyone to come.

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cwbf | @cwbf | Jan 18 11:54am

Yes, I have had an acute burning sensation when injecting Kevzara on my right upper thigh. I decided it was because I was pressing too hard on the injection and eased up the next time on my left thigh. No pain.

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marci516 | @marci516 | Jan 18 1:33pm

I take my pen out a few hours before to make sure it is truly at room temperature. I find injecting in my thigh is less painful than my abdomen. Also, I got some great advice from another Kevzara user, I ice the site for 15 minutes prior to injecting and everyone. 15 minutes after. 18 months in and Kevzara changed my life! Good luck everyone.

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yikes2026 | @yikes2026 | Jan 19 9:07pm

I just did my second one and agree, the needle isn’t so bad, but when the medicine goes in it really hurts. I’ve had kidney stones, appendicitis, unmedicated childbirth, and a twisted ovary, so I “get” pain, but this is getting to me!
Does anyone find that a particular area of your thigh hits less? I plan to try icing first next time.

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