SunRa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3559
posted
The nurse taught my boyfriend how to my IM Magnesium/Taurine shots, but I'm going to my parents' house for 10 days and he wont be there to teach them.
I know a lot of people do their own shots, but with my neuro sx, I have a hard time remembering steps and my boyfriend is always around to help, so I never learned how.
Do you do it in your thigh? I hear that hurts more, but thats ok, I deal with worse pain day to day. Or do you have success doing them in your butt by yourself? maybe with the help of a mirror?
I know these are questions for the nurse, but she's been out of the office all week.
any suggestions??
thank you! Posts: 1563 | From MA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
I don't give myself shots that have to go in the butt.... However, I have been giving the B-12 to myself in the fat on the side of my hips.
The B-12 shots do not go deep enough to worry about the nerves you could hit, etc. I use a 1/2 inch needle.
But what I'm trying to say is that you CAN reach around and get the side of your butt. But [ ] I would check with the nurse to see what you have to be careful of missing when you hit this area.
Make sense??? I'm having a hard time explaining this!!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
Lymeinhell does her own Mg shots. Try to get intouch with her. Member # 4622
robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
I uaually have my husband give the shots but he travels ALOT so I sometimes do them myself. You can do them in your thigh, ice beforehand to help with the pain.
You can also give them in your hip. Just take your hand and find your hipbone,place the heal of your hand there and make an upside down v with your first 2 fingers and then give the shot in that area.
It is really not that hard, especially after you do the first one.
Good luck
-------------------- Dani Posts: 102 | From Where there is no lyme | Registered: Jan 2006
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
It depends what the shot is. If you are injecting Bicillin it goes in the butt (upper/outer) Magnesium I do in the butt too, and B12 as well. You can do some in the thigh I guess. I always rotate sides and have never had a problem. If you lie down and rollon your side, its easier to inject yourself in the butt. Make sure you get proper instruction!
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David95928
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posted
I stand in front of a mirror, if available.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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lymeinhell
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Member # 4622
posted
I give myself Magnesium/Lidocaine shots once a week, and have since last year. I was shown by my LLMD and also guided by my LPN sister.
The fat in the hip is easy to do, although you do need to be careful to avoid the sciatic nerve. Kentucky Girl describes how to avoid the sciatic nerve perfectly. You should alternate hips so as not to build up scar tissue.
You can also do it in the top of your thigh - it's easier to do - but WAY MORE PAINFUL. Just sit down and relax your leg muscles. Pinch the top of your thigh about 3 inches below where the leg/torso meet and inject. For me, it really bothered my leg, ached all night, and it was a never to be repeated experience.
I wonder though - No Lidocaine?? Jeez - doesn't the magnesium burn without it? For me, I draw 2 ccs of magnesium, and secondly 1 cc of lidocaine. That way the lidocaine hits first and numbs you before the mag burn kicks in.
Remember to make sure there are no air bubbles in the needle and to swab the area with alcohol to sterilize first.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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SunRa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3559
posted
sorry to make this so short, bad neck/head pain today and its hard to use the comp...but my boyfriend read me all your responses and even wrote down notes for me...hehe he's so cute...
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the info!!! I really appreciate it Posts: 1563 | From MA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Andie333
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Member # 7370
posted
You've gotten some good responses, and I'm glad you've also got detailed notes.
I've been injecting B12 and just wanted to add that I've found it helpful to hold steady pressure on the injection site with a cotton ball for about 5 minutes after the injection.
For me, that eliminates both bruising and the lumping I initially got.
Good luck with this~!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Kentucky Girl: Just take your hand and find your hipbone,place the heal of your hand there and make an upside down v with your first 2 fingers and then give the shot in that area.
How do you know which part of the hip bone to begin with??
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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quote:Originally posted by WildCondor: If you lie down and rollon your side, its easier to inject yourself in the butt. Make sure you get proper instruction!
Hey! Thanks for the idea!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Yes, if you lie down, I find it easier. You should have a doctor or a nurse show you how to do these injections. For the butt, its the upper and outer portion where you do the injection, and remember to aspirate and check for blood.
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It certainly can be nerve racking and confusing the first time you give yourself a shot but after the first or second time it becomes much easier and the steps involved become very easy to remember.
I give myself methyl shots once per day in the thigh. I find that it's the psychological part which can be the most difficult part because it's human nature to NOT want to put a needle into your own body! With that said, I have been doing it for months now and usually does not bother me! (Although I still look at the needle sometimes and the 1 inch looks SOO big to me. LOL)
If you decide to do it in your thigh, the way that I do it is I basically just sit down, find a spot on my thigh that I haven't used recently (I rotate legs and places on the leg) and then just stick the needle in and inject.
Since your bf has been giving you the shots you already know what it feels like and so this won't be much different for you I hope!
Good luck,
~David
-------------------- Same nightmare, different day! Posts: 401 | From East Coast | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
I dont give muscular shots to myself but do do subcutaneous ones.
I have a really hard time learning things and following instructions.
A nurse showed me how to do it and how to load the injection needle.
I had to follow the step by step instructions every night for 2 years cuz the memory bank was empty.
Be sure you dont just jot notes down. Do a step by step instruction sheet and dont leave out even the simpelest part.
This sheet will give you more confidence to do it. I would try and do it at home for a couple days while you boyfriend watches.
Good luck. BTW its been 2 /12 years and I can finally load and inject myself without the aid of the written instructions. PROGRESS - slow but sure.
Posts: 561 | From connecticut | Registered: May 2004
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