Just wondering if any of your LLMDs have given prescribed 2.4 units in one day?? My docs wants to get TWO 1.2 shots in one day.

Also, why not give ONE 2.4 shot? After all it does come as one prepared 2.3 does, so it should be safe? Anybody out there try this???

Your thoughts are appreciated!

fernando
 

I have to ask you this basic question. How muscular are you and how much do you weigh? Actually, you don't have to answer that.

I am 5'-3", weighed 115, and had muscle atrophy before starting Bicillin treatments. Because of this, I did not have enough muscle mass to handle the larger needle and/or the larger concentration of med.

I have to take the injections in two 1.2 unit shots in 2 different muscles each week. One 2.4 unit shot whould put 1/2 the med in my muscle and the other 1/2 would be lost to the surrounding area aoutsied of the muscle. As it is, I can barely absorb the 1.2.

The size of needle and dose of med. is often determined by your MD based on your weight and muscle mass.

Hope this meakes some sense.

Bc
 

One thing about those 2.4 Bicillins... the rather long 2" needle is very capable of reaching the sciatic nerve (depth wise) on an average person. Standard IM needles are 1 1/2", and the 1.2 bicillin's are only 1 1/4". Ths Sciatic nerve on an average person lies 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" below the skin (I got that from a regional anesthesia website.)

If using the "upper outer quadrant of the buttock" method to determine where to put it, be aware that the inside lower corner of that rectangle passes very close to the sciatic nerve's path. (Your anatomy and your accuracy may vary!)

Be extra careful with the extra long needle. None of us needs an injured nerve on top of the problems we already have.

By the way, just because it comes with a 2" needle there is no law saying you have to drive it all the way in to the hub. You just want it deep into the middle of the muscle mass. 2" on some people might go all the way through the other side.

[This message has been edited by James H (edited 03 March 2005).]
 

Also you can have your LLMD order smaller needles and transfer the meds into it..I did that for a long time b/c I did not have enough mass for the needle it came with.

 

I do concur with what has being said before, giving two 1.2M U shots in differente areas instead of the single 2.4M U shot is likely to be better absorbed and do less damage to the tisue.
 

Thanks a millin for all the knowledge. I have only had a couple of shots so far. One 1.2 shot twice a week. Just trying to gage my shot options as I move forward with these things.

I am 190 and 5'7" and HAD really good muscle for all the hiking in my rear. That has change though as I have had muscle athropy.

You guys a real big help!

How about two shots on Monday (2.4U) and one on Friday? There for reducing the planning and shot prep and eliminating one day? I seems to be absorbed really slow anyway?

CaliLymer