posted
I did two months Bicillin, 3 shots per week, back in October and November 2006. And now have been back on it for the past three months, but at 2 shots per week.
Up to last week I was using the old Tubex cartridges and Tubex injector ones - and managing pretty ok, despite the needle size etc.
But my new batch is the new type disposable syringe ones. I have done 2 of these now, and my God, do they hurt so much more than the Tubex ones!!!!And leave me sore and lumpy for much much longer! I've just checked, and it seems the needle with the Tubex cartridge was a 21G 1 1/4 inch, but the new needles given to attach to the disposable cartridges are 21G 1 1/2 inch, so slightly bigger!!
I didn't think such a small difference in size would cause so much more discomfort.....
Anyone else having problems with these? Or notice a difference between the two types?
Any of you try attaching a smaller needle to the disposable syringe instead of the one supplied?
Thanks in advance Elaine
Posts: 261 | From Herx-ville!! | Registered: Aug 2006
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Hi elaine:
there is a long post with compilation of info on bicillin; it may be in newbie linkes. If you do a search you will find it, lots of good info on injections. Icing for 10+ minutes really helps numb the area!
You do not have to insert the entire length of the needle, according to my nurse. It is an IM shot, so if you are in the right area (upper outer quadrant) then 1/2 inch would do it.
Many folks use a thinner needle; 22, 23 or even thinner guage. But my nurse said no to that due to the thickness of the fluid. So I take an advil and ice before getting the shot.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Hmmm... my LLMD said it's very important to make sure that you insert the entire length of the needle so that it penetrates the muscle.
Otherwise, he said, you may only get into the subcutaneous fat, which is bad and can cause redness and inflammation.
I confess I pop Vicodin beforehand. That's my secret. Posts: 390 | From Oakland, CA | Registered: May 2007
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David95928
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Member # 3521
posted
A half inch needle will not get into the muscle unless you are at about 3-5% body fat. Maybe not even then. There was a study within the last year that found, as I recall, that a one and one half in needle did not fully penetrate muscle in something like 90% of U.S. women and 70% of men. Th authors went on to suggest that maybe two inch needles need to be the default length for intramuscular injections.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Vermont_Lymie
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Thanks Ellie and David,
My nurse stands corrected, and I will pass that info on to her! Must say that I am sorry to hear that!
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I have been getting bicillin shots three times a week for a year now. It is rarely painful for me. I believe the secret is to warm it to your body temperature. Put the needle in the crook of your elbow and hold there for awhile or behind your knee or slip it down your bra, between your breasts if your a woman. I'm telling you heating it to body temp makes a world of difference.
Posts: 547 | From Maryland | Registered: Mar 2005
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Yes, I am very familiar with the links on advice for Bicillin shots.....as I said have been doing them for months, and the little routine of icing beforehand, heat afterwards, rubbing the area, and getting the shot to body temp before injecting was working pretty well!!
My problem only started over the past two weeks, and co-incides with switching from my old batch of Tubex shots to the new disposable syringe ones! So, something about these new ones just isn't suiting me......kind of wishing the manufacturers just stuck with the tubex ones!
BTW, my LLMD also said it's important to insert needly fully!
Posts: 261 | From Herx-ville!! | Registered: Aug 2006
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