posted
EMLA Cream... Not sure if it's called that still, but theat's what the nursing company told meto get to prepare for the stick I get when they access my port. It's nothing more than Lidocaine.
You have to put it on 1-2 hours before the injection in order to give the skin time to numb.
Ask your doc for a prescription.
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
posted
I am on Rocephin shots. I do them once per day. I don't know if Bicillin causes more lumps than Rocephin but the "trick" is the Lidocaine that the med is in.
I have had site reactions in the past but found out that it was a bad batch of Lidocaine which causes that. Most of the time, there is no reaction except when I pass through a vein and bruise.
I also rotate the shot sites. I do the top thigh and side thigh and when my husband is home, he does the butt ones. So you can rest the sites that way.
I also hate needles but you do get used to it.
-------------------- Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired Posts: 185 | From Colorado | Registered: Sep 2006
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hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
I had them divide the dose in half and use a smaller needle, since I only weigh 90 pounds. That meant two shots each time I went, but then it didn't hurt much. A good nurse will know to inject it very slowly.
I am a total wimp and I did 8 weeks of shots and am living proof it can be done. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8890 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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beachcomber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5320
posted
Hb:
I too was not looking forward to the injections. I was 104 lbs when I started them. Even my nurse wasn't sure where to "shoot" me. So, we both finally said 'just do it'. I yelped and lurched forward on the first one, which was not a good thing to do. But, after that first shot I knew what to expect. The worst was over.
I took the biggest needles, one in each cheek or the hip, every week for about 2 years. I got so used to it. Once we figured out I had some pretty good muscle in the hip area, it was easier for me. That hurt less for some reason.
Lumps? Well, yes and no. You will initially get a big fat lump, at least it will feel big and fat. No one else will even notice it. That goes down in about 12 - 24 hours. After 2 years I developed scar tissue, not noticeable lumps. My massage therapist says she can feel the scar tissue but, it is deep inside the muscle. I stopped the injections because of the scar tissue and because my gut got trashed. The latter might have been from Mepron though.
I have been off the injections for almost one year and may be starting them again tomorrow. Bicillin gave me lots of relief. I went from Rocephin to Bicillin. Rocephin was great but talk about a pain in the butt. I'll take weekly injections over daily infusions any day.
You can do it. Ask your MD for a valium to get you through the first few. That might relax you. Oh, and don't look! It will be over before you know it.
David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
You can add 1% lidocaine to Bicillin, although you would have to transfer it from one syringe to another and maintain sterility. It pretty much alleviates sorenes for about twelve hours, which is when you feel it most.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Thanks for all the great feedback. I am feeling better already.
I like the idea of two small shots instead of one biggie. A nurse is coming each week to give it to me so hopefully she knows how to help me be calm...
You guys are so generous with your comments..I really appreciate it...
-------------------- We are spiritual beings on a human journey...
lymewreck36
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4395
posted
I am currently on bicillan shots. I find that when my daughter gives them to me, they hurt less than when my husband does it.
Here's a good tip I read once.
Ask your doctor to prescribe lidocain patches. They have peel off backs and you stick them where you want numbing.
You can cut a patch into smaller sections, and put a section on the injection site for an hour before you do the shot.
Alcohol the area after you remove the lidocain patch, and take the shot there.
Not painful in the least at that point.
Get those lidocain patches. It is well worth it.
Mary
Posts: 1032 | From North Carolina | Registered: Aug 2003
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
The Bicillin shots never bothered me. I did all my own bicillin for over a year and it helped the Lyme very much. Make sure you are taught how to correctly administer the shots, or have a friend or family member do them for you. If they hurt, go in the shower afterwards and put the warm water on it. It will help it get absorbed. Sometimes you can mix them with lidocaine, but it really is not a big deal unless you are super skinny and petrified of needles. In that case you might need smaller doses and ice or heat, plus some hypnosis or something to get over the fear. To me it was just a shot and no big deal. I was much more afraid of the illness than a silly shot. Hope it works out for you!
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Here is what a pre-filled Bicillin shot looks like, with the Tubex injector attached to it. Make sure when you get the Rx you get the Tubex injector, and also that it is always kept in the fridge.
posted
Wild condor, are you still getting the bicillin with the tubex? I was told by the pharmacy that company stopped making the bicillin.
I don't have any problems with bicillin and I will tell you why I think so. I warm up the medicine to body temperature a few minutes BEFORE i get the shot. Lay the vial inside the elbow and close for warmth. Put between your breasts, put it under your arm or even behind your knee until you feel its at your body temp.
Ths shots were a little painful at first but once I warmed them up it was much less. Some times I barely feel the needle going in at all!
I have a friend whose child gets two shots once a month. They have to literally hold him down each time. I had seen that particular doctor once and I remembered that they would take the shot out out of the refrigerator a few minutes before the shot and then give the injection. I remember the same bicillin shot being very painful there. I told my friend to ask the nurse to warm it up to her child's body temp. She told me recently it worked! Try it. It can't hurt. It will either work or not work. Let me know if it does.
Posts: 547 | From Maryland | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Yeah my Bicillin doesn't come in the TUBEX anymore either.
I've been rotating between the hips and thigh for better absorption. Plus you're much less lumpy that way. The pain isn't bad at all for me. Hope this reassures you. Bicillin's supposed to be an excellent treatment. Good luck with it.
~catwoman
Posts: 255 | From where we don't have Lyme disease | Registered: Jan 2007
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Hi I don't take Bicillin anymore so i don't know how it is being dispensed. The pic is from at least 2 years ago when i was taking it like that. Pretty sure it does still come that way though.
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posted
I just got my first bicillin injection yesterday. Now, over 24 hours later, there is a bruise and it's very tender.
As slowly as my bruises heal, I am concerned that I will have to be getting another shot where I'm bruised ... I'll get one in the other cheek on Wed., but we'll have to use this one again on Sunday.
I am pretty thin so it's not like there's a big area back there... Any suggestions?
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Lots of great advice given in the past. You can access it with the search function.
Posts: 925 | From California | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Sorry to report that the bicillin didn't work out for me After one shot the right side of my body was in terrible pain--lasted for several days..
So I think my low body weight and my already excruciating neuropathy in my legs don't work with this treatment...
So now I am taking biaxin/plaquinil.
Glad others have such good luck w/it.
-------------------- We are spiritual beings on a human journey...
posted
Sorry to hear that humanbeing. Bicillin has been a great drug for me. I wish you luck in finding the one that works best for you. It seems finding a drug that works is one of the things that is so hard about treatment. The drugs work different on each person. Don't you feel like a guinea pig? I know I do a lot of the time.
Posts: 547 | From Maryland | Registered: Mar 2005
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Rianna
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11038
posted
I have the generic Bicillin Benzathine Penicillin) that comes in powder form and my nurse mixes it with sterile water and lidocane I have 1 dose in each cheek (1.2 per cheek now ) twice per week. I never feel a thing although they have to be very quick putting needle in, but honestly it is far less painful than having blood taken and I have no lumps whatsoever.
I also suggest going to see a hypnotist for a couple of sessions as they can help so much with any pain control or fears of needles etc.
posted
Humanbeing, they didn't work out for me either.
The nurse that did the first one did everything right. It didn't hurt to get the injection, but three days later, there's still a huge, dark bruise and a lump. There's no way that cheek would be ready for another injection by Sunday. Hubby mentioned he thought it wouldn't be healed for at least a month ... he's probably right, too.
I walked after the shot, I rubbed it ... everything went perfectly. I don't really know why it didn't work out better.
The nurse thought maybe I just didn't have enough "meat" back there to absorb it properly. I lift weights, so what little there is there is pretty muscular.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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) twice per week. I never feel a thing although they have to be very quick putting needle in, but honestly it is far less painful than having blood taken and I have no lumps whatsoever. 
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