I am going on bicillin injections soon. Need to give at home myself. Have done B12 and magnesium combo three times weekly for about a year in past.

Any tips on self-injecting? Can someone (say, David95928) give me step-by-step protocol as a re-enforcer to nurse info. I will be getting this week? (Sometimes, someone has a way of doing things that is helpful in suprising ways.)

I tried to do a search, but must have spyware/adware and don't want to deal with it at moment.

Thanks much for the help. Looking forward to bicillin. Heard it does great stuff to those who've been at this awhile.

Thanks again,

Here is the guide we used, with illustrations of how and where to do the shots: http://www.breastcancerprofessional.com/contents/public/onc/nursing.pdf

Plus my LLMD drew the acceptable shot-zone on my butt. Then he said to my husband, "See, you have aaaaaaalll that area to work with."

Bicillin shots are more complicated that B12, although I haven't done the mag combo so I dunno what that's like. Anyway, Bicillin is deep IM, mostly done in the buttocks to avoid problems with nerves (thighs are NOT a recommended site). The most important things to remember are

- Do it in the outer and upper quadrand of the buttock/hip area, to avoid hitting the sciatic nerve.

- always, always, always do a drawback to check for blood -- do not inject into a blood vessel.

- warm the bicillin to body temperature and inject very slowly. I inject about 1 ml, count to 5, then another ml.

- don't inject into previous sites where you can feel a bump or scarring

- have someone present at first to make sure you don't react badly, and to help you with the drawback check.

The hubby and I use freezer packs to chill the area down until it's numb, use the z-track method described in the pdf guide above, and walk around or otherwise exercise the muscle immediately after the shot. We do 2 shots in one cheek every 5 days, alternating cheeks.

Anyone know if that's likely to be a 'real' effect - it's quite striking! I don't feel great, just markedly less stupid and woozy than I have been.

I'm also curious about the costs of the medicine vs. the cost of having an injection at doctor's office. If not comfortable discussing here, an email would be much appreciated.

Thanks muchly,

First, Minoucat, glad to hear that you're doing well on the medication. Also great to know there's so much room to shoot on the old gluteous maximus.

The magnesium shot is given as IM also, so long, long, long needle. Sounds like I've had good training. A concern from glancing at the website (which is great, by the way. Thanks, thanks, thanks) and your concise list is that I do have scar tissue. Ugh. Have to ask about that one.

I planned on having the area drawn boldly for me in marker, maybe with some hearts and moons and stars. Also will get first injection by the nurse who placed my PICC line a few years ago. Absolutely trust her. She will be teaching me as well.

Exercising right away is interesting. With the magnesium, I had to do it before bed because it was so thick, viscous, whatever the right word is, that I got very sore after. Helped tons though. Never had the muscle twitches/pain/etc. that others seem to get and I had two raging co-infections as well. Can't recommend them enough in combo with the B12.

Also great suggestion on warming it up. Is it refridgerated then? Do you mix it or does the pharmacy? I ask because I will be going to visit family and will need to work out medicine logistics.

Paul, I am happy to hear the medicine helps you as well. Hurrah. Unfortunately, I have no idea how much the medicine costs or how much is charged to have others inject one. Probably good question for the doctor's office or pharmacist? Or infusion company or home health? Whoever is supplying it for you should be able to answer that, I think.

Wish I could help some with the info. If I find anything out this week, I'll post it.