Topic: Where is great post re:hints on bicillin injections?
robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
Someone posted suggestions about Bicillin injections and how to do them and have them be less painfull and not create lumps (not that anyone would notice another lump on my butt)
I have an RX here for the Bicillin and I may be headed there altough I am holding off. I have ben off ABX 47 days now and statrted to go down.
Could be a period flare .........
Anyway, I was hoping to get a hold of that post before it was forgotten and sve it on my computer. If you are the original poster or know where it is please post the link. Thanks
PS..I did do search and could not find it.
robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Hi Robi,
I was the one who posted it under the title of Minimizing Bicillin Discomfort.
I meant to contact Treepatrol to see if it could be put in the archives but I've been battling some really bad symptoms and just haven't done it.
I'm going to see if I can find it using the search and will repost here. If I can't, I'll post a summary just from memory.
The injections are not nearly as bad as I had heard. In fact, it's no big deal at all now that I use a combination of the following:
- Put a prescription lidocaine patch on the area about one or two hours before the injection
- Ice the area for about 10 minutes before the injection
- Lie down and turn your toes inward to relax the muscle (this presumes you are having someone inject you). Otherwise, try to take the weight off that leg/hip
- Have the nurse inject it slowly and breathe slowly while it's injected
- Massage the area for a short time afterward, then walk for as long as you can
This has turned out to be the winning combo for me. Some pain occasionally, other times not much, but no lumps whatsoever.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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I am away from home, otherwise might be able to send you the link. In case you can't find it, here is what is working for me:
(1) Let the syringe warm up before injecting. 15-20 minutes is probably enough, but you can do more.
(2) Inject in the upper outer quadrant of your butt. It's actually a diagonal line from the top of your butt to your outer thigh, or something like that, and there is a photo somewhere, but I don't have the link. Kgg sent it to me, so you could pm her for it. She's a nurse and it was from a nursing manual.
(3) If you have injected before, press around for a spot with no knots from previous injections. If you don't think you can remember where it is, use a pen to draw a circle around the area so you will know where to aim. I have actually gotten to the point where I don't seem to have scar tissue so don't really have to do this anymore. You will probably get to that point, too.
(4) Use an alcohol swab to clean the area. Try to avoid the ink or you will end up smearing over the injection site.
(5) I stand at my desk, in part so I can read something while injecting, and in part to have the desk chair behind me. I place my lower leg (same side as injection site) on the chair and focus on relaxing the muscles.
(6) I think that some people recommend jamming the needle into your butt quickly. I have never been able to bring myself to do that. I place the needle where I want to inject. Then I push until it breaks through the skin.
(7) ASPIRATE!!! I have seen people here say that you can't do it with Bicillin because it is so thick, but you can and you must. If you see blood, you cannot inject. If there is no blood, inject slowly. Push a bit. Read. Push a bit more. Read some more. Etc. until you've emptied the syringe into your derriere.
(8) OK, here's what I'm not so sure about. My doc told me that if there is blood on aspiration, you can't use that syringe. My ob/gyn college roommate told me yesterday that I just need to pull the syringe out a little and can then inject. Not sure if you are supposed to aspirate again or not.
Also, one time I did get blood. Tossed syringe #1. Inserted second syringe about 1/4 inch away. Got a pink liquid. Tossed syringe #2. Injected other side of butt. Third time was a charm, but lots of wasted med.
Doc told me that it's ok to inject if you get the sanguo whatever fluid. (Forget what it is called.)
You should double check with your doc about what to do.
I usually inject just before getting into the shower so the warm water will soothe the injection site.
Since developing this system, I have very little post injection soreness, except when I roll over too fast. (The injections themselves are low pain to pain free.)
Hope this helps.
-------------------- Suzanne Shaps STAND UP FOR LYME Texas (www.standupforlyme.org) (Please email all correspondence related to protecting Texas LLMDs to [email protected] with copy to [email protected]) Posts: 977 | From Austin, TX, USA | Registered: May 2004
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Hi again,
I found my original post but it wouldn't copy.
In the search, look for title of Minimizing Bicillin Discomfort. It was posted on April 21, 2006. Or you can search by my member #9121.
I had posted originally when I was first starting the regimen. As I mentioned in my post above, I kind of have it down to a simple series of steps that works for me.
I have a Lyme pal who has her nurse mix the Bicillin with lidocaine liquid and then inject. I have just not found the need to do that, and I don't want to have to be injected with any greater volume of stuff than needed, in order to avoid lumps. However, she says that it makes the injection completely painless - however she gets lumps.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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