My doc wants to start Bicillin shots, but I am nervous about it because we don't have a nurse around to show us how.
Posted by mandy614 (Member # 16524) on :
I did them for about 7 months...they helped but I hit a plateau. Herxed for a good 8 weeks then it was very easy. It's always good to try things out we are all different in our response.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
Did insurance cover it?
Posted by wiserforit2 (Member # 18286) on :
I'm on Bicillan injections right now. I researched prices at different pharmacies, since my insurance company wouldn't cover them from the pharmacy. I even lined up my nurse-neighbor to give me the injections because my LLMD's office charge was too expensive.
Then I found a participating physician on my insurance plan who was willing to give them for the co-pay cost. The insurance company views them as "vaccination/injection"!
Also, I cannot take a multitude of injections each week. So maybe it isn't as obvious a charge on a paper trail.
Go figure. I'm not questioning it. I figure I'll stick with it until I have to switch to pharmacy/neighbor method.
Best,
wiserforit2
Posted by Mathias (Member # 5298) on :
Bicillin injections were very effective for me. Shots were covered by my Rx plan. Family was taught to perform the injections.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
If you have to self-inject, just be sure to aspirate the needle and follow proper procedure...you don't want to inject into a blood vessel or too close to a nerve...
There are many resources online for injection info...
I ran them for a few months via self-injection (many MDs don't like this idea). The shots seemed to be strangely calming to my body but did not bring me out of the tunnel so-to-speak...
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
Could you guys list some of the online resources you found helpful?
Also, self-injection- where did you do it, the butt or the thigh?
Posted by ty (Member # 20293) on :
I've been injecting Bicillin on my husband's butt for about 4 months. A nurse in a local doctor's office showed me how to do it. I also got a lot of tips on this site and other sites on the Internet. Here is the site I found particularly helpful:
The first several shots were very difficult for him, but it got much easier for the last month or so.
If your pharmacy benefits don't pay for Bicillin, try finding out if your insurance plan has "Speciality Pharmacy." Speciality Pharmacy can bill Medical benefits for Bicillin unlike regular pharmacies, and that's how we got 80% covered by insurance after paying for it out of pocket for 3 months.
Hope it helps.
Posted by tickedoffjan (Member # 15944) on :
There is a video on youtube that shows how to give the bicillin shot. One thing to remember is to warm up the shot prior to injection, it hurts much less. Just hold it in your hands and roll it around for a few minutes prior to injection.
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
Did them at home myself for 7.5 months - helped w/some symptoms - wasn't my miracle though.
Make sure you give shot it upper right quad of rear-end in the muscle.
Here is a video of how to do an IM injection - this is a different medicine used, but this identical to how to do a bicillin shot:
Oh great, they are painful? My Dad has had shots in the butt and said it never hurts though. My doctor said they have a lot of patients who got well once going to Bicillin shots. How much is it without insurance?
Posted by Amanda (Member # 14107) on :
Its much less painful if you give the injection near the hip, rather your bum. Its also less likely to bleed. Most nursing schools have switched to giving shots in the hip area, rather than bum. Go here for directions to locate the area on the body
The consistancy of Bicillin shots is rather thick, so it will take a minute or so to inject it all (unlike the video)
Anyone can be trained to give the shot, its easy.
Assuming insurance will not pay, the cost of the shots varies widely (anywhere from $50 to $100 per shot). You usually get them by the box, and there are 20 shots in a box. I found that Costco has the best prices, at $511.00 a box. But shop around, someone might have a little better price.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
I may have to skip if that much money. Posted by keltyl (Member # 14050) on :
I did bicillin shots for several months and it's something I would never attempt to do myself....and I'm not a real wimp, I do give myself B12 shots everyday. Also in the past have given myself other shots.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
did it help?
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Bicillin has helped me a lot!was on 11 months straight and stopped them. Once I stopped them I started to fall apart agian. Started them back up and feeling better.
with ins I pay about $30 each for a 2.4 mu shot . I do it 3x a week, so about $400 a month. You may only need 1.2 mu shots and that would be cheaper.
Posted by keltyl (Member # 14050) on :
The shots didn't do anything for me, but then nothing has. That's why I'll be going to the rocephin route.
My LLMD did tell me he thought bicillin shots were the next best thing to rocephin. I'm one that hs them baffled but I've gone many yrs undiagnosed too.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)