My husband is giving me shots 3 times a week- lately, when the needle is removed, some Bicillin is coming out afterwards- He is not removing it right away- we've done about 18 shots so far in total...
Do you think that we are letting it get too warm before injecting?
Is it possible that I have so much Bicillin in there already that it's being forced out?
Love to hear your experiences with this-
Thanks, Sarah
Posted by sapphire (Member # 4599) on :
it depends, are you doing the bicillin thru a pic line? por directly into the skin? if a pic line is backed up fluid might leak out in which case the line needs to be flushed or changed
If you are getting the shot directly in the skin, there is probably a lot of scar tissue that has hardened the skin and therefore it cant absorb the shot. you may have to get the needle deeper into the muscle tissues
try giving the shot in alternating places to give the different areas time to heal, these areas can be upper arms, thighs , buttocks
Posted by sarahinnewyork (Member # 7179) on :
Thanks Sapphire,
We are using needles- The Bicillin LA comes with a needle, but perhaps I can get it with a longer needle. I think that you have a good point about scar tissue- I have been amazed at how quickly I have developed lumps and how sometimes they don't seem to disperse very well-
I appreciate your comments-! Thanks, Sarah
Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :
Sarah, there is a technique of injecting called Z-track that avoids this problem of the Bicillin leaking out. Do a search, because I know it has been discussed many times. I'm sorry I don't know enough to explain it to you.
Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :
Yes River...you are right that Z-track works well...mostly in sub-dermal injections. However, it might work in Intra Muscular, too...
You basically pinch the skin between your forefinger and thumb, picking it up and then insert needle. I use it when I do heparin...however, I am not so sure about it working intra-muscular as it would be difficiult...try it tho.
I have found that massaging the area where the shot is given to be very effective the day after and then just before injection when it comes to Bicillin-LA shots.
Trout Posted by David95928 (Member # 3521) on :
FIrst of all, Bicillin inadvertently given through IVs has caused fatalities. Not Kidding. It is IM only! Z track involves pulling the skin laterally, while injecting, and then releasing it as the needle is withdrawn. That way any medicine that leaks out of the muscle will not get to the puncture in the skin. David
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Bicillin in a PICC line...no way! That is not the way it is given!
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
Bicillin cannot be given through a PICC. I think you could kill yourself doing that.
Sometimes the Bicillin will leak out while the nurse is injecting me. At that point she pulls the needle and just lightly massages the area. If there is enough in there (3/4) we just stop. In my case it is because I have scar tissue build up and we just happen to hit that. Rotate the site often is my only suggestion.
Bc
Posted by sarahinnewyork (Member # 7179) on :
Thanks for your help with this- We've been nervous about moving too far away from the spot we were initially shown for injection- as we don't want to hit a nerve or vein-
We will move them around and see how that works-
Thanks for the ongoing support! -Sarah
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
Original z track method: pull the skin taught, administer injection, then replace skin.
You should be moving the injection site around. IM's can be put in the upper right quadrant of the buttock without problem. Always aspirate to determine that you are not in a vein, which can be difficult due to the viscosity of the bi-cillin.
Further, it is important to administer the med over a period of 2-3 minutes. I think that will help a lot. If you are giving these to yourself, it is more difficult to do this.
Kind of like a circus trick that needs to be practiced for a long time!
Bug
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
"You should be moving the injection site around. IM's can be put in the upper right quadrant of the buttock without problem. Always aspirate to determine that you are not in a vein, which can be difficult due to the viscosity of the bi-cillin."
Oops, I mean upper OUTER quadrant of the buttock.
Bug
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Definetly switch sides of the shot each time you do them. Scar tissue is common and goes away in time, i did Bicillin for about a year and a half. As long as you rotate the locations, you should be fine. Put pressure on the injection site after you do the shot, so the Bicillin doesnt leak out.
Posted by DolphinLady (Member # 6275) on :
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
you do the shot, so the Bicillin doesnt leak out.