LymeNet Flash: IM Shots...questions, please advise

This is topic IM Shots...questions, please advise in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by islandgirl (Member # 5914) on :

I cannot get IV treatment so my LLMD suggests I get ceftriaxone (rocephtin) in IM form.

This sounds so painful and I am very scared. Please let me know what you do to minimize the hurt, and if you feel the shots are worthwhile. Any suggestions you can give would be so appreciated.

Excuse please: I know this has been discussed before but I never had this option open to me so never paid much attention at the time. Brain can only hold so much these days, and now, it doesn't retain what I read at all!

Posted by WildCondor on :

Its okay. The shots are no big deal. You should be more afraid of the illness than the treatment. Why won'y your doctor give you IV? Red flag! What else will you be taking along with the Rocephin shots?
I did Rocephin both IV and IM and had no problems giving myself the shots. You can mix the Rocephin powder with lidocaine and you wont feel anything. Have a nurse show you how to do the injections. You will be okay.

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WildCondor's Lymelinks

Posted by ICEiam (Member # 7519) on :

WOW, condor you must be one tough bird!! I had to give my daughter IM Rocephin for 2 weeks and she is pretty dang tough and she said they hurt like the dickens.

I don't want to scare you Islandgirl, but Condor is right about one thing, fear the disease more than the medication. Just make sure and inject the shot slowly is about all the pointers I can give you.

Some people ice the area before and after and make sure and rub the area for a while afterwards. That helps a little. It is only a shot, and the hurt does go away. I am sure it is much less painful than the pain you have endured with Lyme.

My daughter never did herx with the IM Rocephin so her LLMD took her off of it for the time being. We will see what happens in the future. Don't be scared, really, you will be fine. Who is going to give you the shots?

Hang in there Girl,
HUGS

ICEY

Posted by shassler64 (Member # 3479) on :

Hi!
IM rocephin hurts a bit but it really isn't that bad .I had it for about 3 months.You get a bruised but sometimes.You could swap sides each day and use a hot pack to warm the site before and you won't feel it as much.

It hurts but nothing like my experience with bicillin LA which was a real white knuckle experience.

It is worth a try.It doesn't reach the same blood levels as IV but it is still getting in.It should be better than nothing.

Don't stress out about it .It really isn't all the bad.

Take care,Sue from Downunder.

Posted by islandgirl (Member # 5914) on :

My gosh, thank you so much for your advice and comments.

This is exactly why LymeNet cannot go down the tubes. The knowledge shared with people who have been there, done that, is not to be taken lightly. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to these replies, and to all the advice and support I've read over the past 2 years.

I worried and fretted all yesterday and last night...woke up this morning to you-all.
Thanks

Posted by David95928 (Member # 3521) on :

Rocephin mixed with bacteriostatic water REALLY HURTS. I'm completely nonchlant about shots and yet had to lie down. Mixed with Lidocaine, it's a piece of cake. Don't take no for an answer on that one.
David