I am having an awful time with bicillin injections. I can't handle them in my butt due to severe nerve pain in that area.
I tried the thigh and of course my leg is very sore and painful. I have not tried the ventrogluteal site yet.
Unfortunately I do feel the bicillin was actually helping me to feel better. What have others gone to when bicillin was not an option? Posted by Maryland Mom (Member # 2043) on :
The ventrogluteal site is the best one for bicillin. Is there a reason you do not want to try injections there?
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
I'm a little confused on finding it although I've looked at numerous pics on the web explaining it and Sammy has offered some great tips as well.
Also my nerve pain is severe around my hips buttocks and outer thighs so I'm concerned I'll have the same issue there as well.
Posted by Maryland Mom (Member # 2043) on :
I realize the instructions for injection can be a little confusing at first, especially if you don't have someone guiding you in person.
The best solution, I think , is if you can find a nurse who can instruct you in person on how to find the ventrogluteal injection site.
If having a nurse there for instruction is not an option, what you need to know to get the correct site is basically this: inject in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock. Visualize your "cheek" with lines dividing it down the middle horizontally and vertically, and the upper outer part is where you want to aim, just behind and below your hip bone.
There is no danger of hitting any major nerves or blood vessels in this area.
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
That sounds exactly like where we did inject already. I thought that was the dorsogluteal? The nurse at the ER marked the area for me and this is exactly where she marked. That doesn't sound like the ventrogluteal.
Posted by Maryland Mom (Member # 2043) on :
You are right, that is the area for dorsogluteal injections, sorry for the confusion. What I meant was if you are unable to have someone help you find the ventrogluteal site, going as far as possible into the upper outer quadrant of the dorsogluteal site is the next safest thing. Sorry I did not make myself more clear.
Here is a site that illustrates these injection sites well, and will hopefully help you to visualize them:
Thanks Maryland Mom that is exactly what we tried last night. Unfortunately as soon as the med started going in I got shooting pain all down my leg and through my buttocks.
He had barely even injected anything. He took the needle out and the pains continue to shoot all over the area.
The only thing I can think of is that the nerves all around that area are too inflamed as this has been my #1 lyme symptom, pain.
Posted by Maryland Mom (Member # 2043) on :
Yikes, I think I see your dilemma. It does sound like you've got some very significant inflammation in that area, making IM injections a painful proposition.
The ventrogluteal site might still be an option, but if you are hesitant to try, that is understandable. In that case, maybe talk to your LLMD about possible switching meds for now, and come back to the bicillin later if still necessary?
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
bumping up for more responses
Posted by nonna05 (Member # 33557) on :
get script for 2% lidocaine ,,solution don't get gel.. They give you tiny needles and you put a bit of solution in and put it just under skin,,like little bubble wait a few and then do shot..
MAKE sure shot is not cold,,,and go slow,, after sit on a heating pad 20minutes.....
Now get well.. what else are you taking????? with it? Posted by Maryland Mom (Member # 2043) on :
I would not recommend trying to add the lidocaine to the bicillin injection if it is a prefilled injection, as most of them are. You open yourself up needlessly to problems with altering the sterile process under which these syringes are filled, by adding ingredients without the benefit of a sterile hood.
A safer alternative would be to either use emla cream, about 1/2 hour before the injection to numb the injection site, or to obtain a script to inject some lidocaine at the site for the bicillin injection 15-30 min before injecting. And in case other have not pointed this out, use the lidocaine WITHOUT the epinephrine.
I hope this enables you to get a pain free injection---or at most a tolerable level of pain relief! But please, when you do it, commit to sinking that needle all the way into the muscle before injecting--too shallow, and the risk of painful abcess is greater.
Good luck to you!
Posted by nonna05 (Member # 33557) on :
No ..You have lidocaine ,liquid script... A few minutes before Bicillin shot you do the lidocaine....
.It's a very tiny,skinny needle.. you barely put it under skin and makes a small bubble,,,,It starts working pretty quick and will help a bit after..
give it a few minutes, don't wait to long, then inject pre-filled Bicillin.
Because the needle is so tiny ,you barely feel anything and when you do the other ,you're numb for a while..
Then lay a heating pad on the spot,,helps melt the Bicillin in and helps stop any bumps and helps any pain . do it for @ 20 minutes ,,or just fall asleep for a bit..
It's straight 2% lidocaine and it starts pretty quick..... Yes hitting the muscle when doing Bicillin,,,,Just under skin for lidoc...
Do you usually take anything for pain??/ Maybe you could time that so it's in gear as you prepare for shot..
You said it made you feel better....How so and how long before you saw results????
Do you have a bit of cushion back there? What size needle....I'm sure your doc got that all correct,,just in case...
Happy hunting Posted by nonna05 (Member # 33557) on :
Lord.. I forgot,,if it's helping and you try a few of these suggestions...then think how much sooner you'll be over this miserable illness..
A few shots to make me feel better and function... after this many years ,,you bet
There are actual sites where they show you exactly where to do shots on a real person...
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