I am new to this forum and am excited with all the information and support that is available. I searched past threads on my question but didn't find anything.
I am just starting bicillin injections. Had the first one yesterday. The needle was a 21 gauge 1.5 length. The needle going in wasn't too bad. During the injection and for about 20 min after it was achy but not too bad. Several hours later though the area was really achy and still is today.
Anyone who has been through or is going through injections I have a few questions.
How long are you sore after an injection?
Does it get better as your body adjusts to the muscle being "invaded" with the needle and medicine or does it get worse because you keep agitating the area?
What gauge needle and length do you use. The nurse that did the injection for me said the 21 gauge will cause more pain due to size and suggested a 25 or 23 and 1 inch in length. I am concerned that 1 inch is not long enough. I am concerned that 25 gauge would be too small and the bicillin wouldn't come out. I am thinking of 23 gauge 1.5.
Any comments/tips would be welcomed.
Thanks
Posted by NMN (Member # 11007) on :
I feel your pain. I did double shots of 19 G twice a week for months and they are like fricken snooker cues!! and jabbing yourself with them is hardcore.
The main reason was that I was using the cheap but same priduct of powdered extencillin and it used to clog the other needles at times.
If its the over priced gluppy solution form you are using I assume you can go to a lower Gauge without problems but I am not too sure.
If you are using powdered then a skilled person can get away with 23G minimum in my experience. Other people will chime in and give you some info I am sure.
It usually hurts for half hour or so after injections but it depends on how sensitive the area is and how clean the shot was.
You should swap cheeks and swap areas as scar tissue may form. I used to numb the area with a ice pack before hand. Could not have done without it.
Again most of my experience is with powdered form. I did the US version in the beginning but I cant for the life of me remember which G needles I used with it.
Hope this is some use to you.
Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :
the needle that comes with bicillin is 1.5" long and 21 gauge and that is what should be used because it'a an IM injection and the needle needs to be long enough to get into the muscle
a smaller gauge needle might clog
i did it myself for 6 months and did not find it painful
allow the bicillin to come to room temp
put the needle in very fast and then inject slowly, maybe 2-3 minutes total
you could ice the area before and/or after but i didn't find it necessary
Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :
double post
[ 07-29-2010, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: janet thomas ]
Posted by n2themystic (Member # 27315) on :
Thanks for the replies. I was hoping someone would say they were able to use a 23 gauge 1.5 inch needle but I am sure I will get used to these.
Anyone else with experience or tips with bicillin injections?
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
A 23 gauge needle is too thin to use for Bicillin injections. It is not the needle size that is causing you pain after the injection, it is the large amount of medication that your muscle is trying to absorb.
Make sure to relax before the injection. If someone else is giving it to you, lay down on your stomach and turn your feet inwards.
Rotate sites, use R and L, dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal sites.
After the injection apply heat and gently massage the area for a few minutes. Then walk around. These three things were a must for me. They reduce the pain and stiffness.
My muscle was always achy sore for a couple days after the injection. Ibuprofen and massaging the site every now and then help too.
Posted by farraday (Member # 21494) on :
Agree with all these good posts. We set out the syringe for at least an hour or two to come to room temp. Then my husband injects for about 30 seconds. Immediately afterward he puts on a bandaid and the ice pack. He is careful to pinch tightly the area he will inject...that makes the shot more tolerable.
I stay on the ice for at least 30 minutes. It is really important to get on to it immediately. The pain is very much reduced that way.
Sometimes I am a bit sore the next day, but usually not. Our pain doctor showed him how to spiral the locations so we do not build up too much scar tissue in one or two areas.
She said to be sure to hit the large muscle at the top of the butt and do not hit the sciatic nerve along the side.
I am now up to 2 shots per week and seeing wonderful results. My speech is mostly fine, pain levels are way down and I can think much more clearly.
My biggest challenges are the fatigue, memory and trembling. But I think they will eventually improve, too.
Posted by kimmie (Member # 25547) on :
If you can get an Rx for 1% lidocaine vial 50cc, you can mix it via sterile technique. You need the "Kendall 3 way stopcock, and 3cc sterile syringes" which can be ordered from amazon.com You can PM me if you need step by step directions
Posted by drew (Member # 25220) on :
Can someone better explain why the oral pennicillin isn't enough? My doc ordered the shots, but I asked if I could do the oral instead. She didn't say efficacy was an issue, more that it was managment of all the pills as you need to take I think 12 pills a day to get the same levels in teh blood, etc.
Just curious if someone can shed light one why Bicllin (and the subesquent pain the "butt") is totally necessary...
Thanks!
Posted by kimmie (Member # 25547) on :
Better sustained blood levels and tissue penetration with bicillin I think.
Posted by tickssuck (Member # 15388) on :
Hi,
Ditto other posters' good info. Been doing them 3xweek for last 3 months, 21g needle 1.5" in length. I give them to myself. Weird/scary at first, now no problem.
I have used both the cheaper powder/mix version and US already to go versions. Sometimes, have trouble with needle clogging on the powder; but, for the most part, goes okay too.
I am sometimes sore for a day or so. I find if I walk it out, move around quite a bit for 10-20 minutes following - I'm less sore. I have not done ice, heat, numbing agents etc, too lazy and haven't felt the need for it.
I am still out on how much it's helping...I think it is, but oh-so-slowly. Not sure it will get me where I want to be, but will give it some more time before IV. My symptoms are completely neuro. Good luck! TS
Posted by tic chick (Member # 9156) on :
I completely numb the area with an icepack before hubby gives me the shot. I was told to push it in quickly and that way was less painful. Making progress w/o a doubt but it is slow (
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
and jabbing yourself with them is hardcore.![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)
(