posted
I'm wondering how one might know if the person giving the shot is going deep enough with the needle. Is it possible that the bicillin can end up in fat and not muscle, and if so, does it disperse too quickly into the body?
Over four months I've had 2 or 3 shots where I had no discomfort whatsoever later or next day from walking or moving the leg, and the herx started a few days sooner. (I only get one shot a week so I get a distinct weekly flare.)
The needle is about an inch long and I've started asking if they've put it in all the way -- I can't really see what they're doing. I don't have the same person every time so it's a little sketchy.
Thanks for any advice.
Posts: 227 | From South of the North Pole | Registered: Jan 2007
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posted
In ref. to your question about the bicillin IM's. I got them off and on several times. Now they use the bicillin LA which is a thick formula and slowly released into the system. The nurse who injects it should go very slowly etc. And also before giving it the tubex should be shaken good to get it mixed. My last experience with them after I was getting like sore lumps on buttock & a lot of times it would be purple. Esp when this one nurse did it. Anyway a lyme literate dr. who I saw briefly said it prob. wasn't doing anything as it most likely was just setteling in one place. Several yrs ago I got the bicillin CR which is not thick like that & that never happened. Anyway it has to be injected properly. Are you still getting them...........If you buy them yourself with a script ask for the insert paper the one that comes with it from the company most likely Wyeth -not that stupid computer sheet they give you - that's baby stuff. Good Luck PS Do you think they are helping?
Posts: 35 | From PA | Registered: Nov 2007
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bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
I read an article about IM injections that said that many of them are given into fat rather than muscle, because of differences in body fat content.
According to the article, which I could dig up if necessary, a one inch needle is adequate for a fairly lean person.
I think you are right to question this. My understanding is that if the injection does not go into the muscle, yes it will disperse more quickly than it should, and you will not maintain steady levels of medication.
The person administering should insert the needle all the way. If you inspect the injection site and feel like a one inch needle is not enough to get in to the muscle, you may need to talk to your doctor about switching the needle length.
I can't advise you about whether or not injections into the fat hurt or not compared to muscle. I mixed my injections with procaine, and used a small gauge, and rarely had any discomfort at all.
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Make sure you tighten your muscle to feel first exactly where the muscle is located. When giving the injection in that spot you take the weight off that side so the muscle relaxes. The needle must be 1.5 inches and "buried" all the way in, no needle showing at all, according to my LLMd. These ared DEEP IM injections. The shot is give in the upper outer quad, almost at the hip.
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