also how long do you usually warm this goop up for before injecting?

thanks...

How's the IVIG treatments going? Seeing any improvements?

Anyway, Self injecting Bicillin is a task for the "few"--as most people can't seem to get themshelves positioned in the angle needed to give the least painful injection

Someone at the doctors' office-- needs to work with you on the proper technique--and should be there at least the first time that you self-inject.

That way they could give you tips on what you may be doing wrong--if anything.

When I was on Bicillin--I lived close to the LLMD's office--so I as able to go in and recieve the injections--and the doctor was able to give them in such a manner--that it was no more painful than recieving a B-12 injection( which is "nothing", as you may know)

I was never able to replicate his technique

>> Bicillin tends to be irritating to surrounding tissues, so be sure to warm the Bicillin first, plunge the needle all the way in, inject VERY slowly (just a tiny push every 15 or 20 seconds, so the shot is given over a four or five minute period), DO NOT massage the area, and wait about 30 seconds after pushing in the last of the Bicillin before withdrawing the needle.

>> take it out of the fridge, wait 5 minutes for it to warm up (just a little) and attach it to the Tubex

>> With the pre-filled Bicillin you must swab your UPPER and OUTER portion of your butt muscle with alcohol, let that try for a minute, then stick it in like a dart. You cant pull back on the needle of the pre-filled ones because there is no room in the syringe. I know this all sounds complicated but its really not once you do a few of them yourself.

Inject slowly over 30 seconds or so, pull out the needle and hold a tissue on the spot, then cover with a bandaid. Throw out the needle. I usually break off the needle from the glass tube and put it in an empty soda can. Soem people have SHARPS orange boxes for throwing them out, whatever.

>> if your butt gets a little sore, inject more slowly, and take a hot shower after the shot, or use a heating pad if it hurts.

I have done three injections and do not find them painful. Twice I didn't even feel the needle go in. The last time I did, but only for a second as it broke the skin.

My butt was most bruised and sore after the first injection. The second time, I had a little bruise and no pain. I'm a bit sore from the last injection, but so far no bruise. (They can take a few days to form.)

A friend who is a nurse sent me this link. Especially helpful is the diagram of where to inject on page 4: http://www.breastcancerprofessional.com/contents/public/onc/nursing.pdf

Definitely, though, get face-to-face (or should I say cheek to cheek...) instructions from doc or nurse the first time.

This has not been a big deal for me. With a little effort up front, I think that you can be doing these yourself, too. I think it is certainly worth a try if you can't easily get to doc's office.

I have heard heat will cause absorption to be too fast and is therefore not recommended.

It seems things that will help with pain will make the medicine less effective?

Cave, where do you get the smaller needle and how do you decant? You say gently rubbing the area afterwards helps. I agree. Also walking helps.

Some say to warm up the bicillin 20-30 minutes, others say only 5 minutes. Why so much contradiction?

The theory for not massaging is because the bicillin is irritating to the tissue. I know several people who feel it helps reduce the pain, though.