joalo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12752
posted
How hard is it to give bicillan shots to yourself?
How do you reach your butt?
-------------------- Sick since January 1985. Misdiagnosed for 20 years. Tested CDC positive October 2005. Treating since April 2006. Posts: 3228 | From Somewhere west of the Mississippi | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I've never given Bicillan shots to myself but have given other injections and it's easy and no pain. I had a very fine needle. The key is, give it to a fatty part of your body. I initially was doing it in my thigh and there was some discomfort but I have very muscular legs. Then a diabetic told me since I have a little fat on my belly, give it there. I did and there was absolutely no pain.
Posts: 14 | From Trenton, New Jersey | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I'm about to go on Bicillin too and wondered the same thing. I went to a local compounding pharmacy and asked if they would do them for me.
Posts: 348 | From maryland | Registered: Jul 2008
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
My LLD is pretty clear you can ONLY do them in your butt, that is what most of us are told.
I have done them to myself many times, without too much trouble. I just twist around and look at my butt in the mirror, making sure to avoid any viens, and jab the needle in.
The trickiest part is drawing back, because you need two hands, but it is doable. I have had no trouble at all self injecting this way.
However, I do have the visiting nurses who generally give them to me. My LLD insists on this for safety reasons. I would think most people with insurance could get the visiting nurse to come and give them the shot.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Bicillin shots need to be given in the gluteal muscle and are intramuscular, only. My ampules were large and fit into an injector. Also, they do usually sting like a bee-sting.
-------------------- Else Posts: 82 | From Florida | Registered: Aug 2007
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joalo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12752
posted
Thank you for all of the replies!
I was told they must go in the upper-outer quadrant of the buttock.
If I didn't have such a stiff neck it would be much easier to see the mirror back there.
Maybe i can reflect a mirror off of another mirror. Ugh!! I'll have to think about that....
-------------------- Sick since January 1985. Misdiagnosed for 20 years. Tested CDC positive October 2005. Treating since April 2006. Posts: 3228 | From Somewhere west of the Mississippi | Registered: Aug 2007
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I administer my own shots but it is not a pleasant experience. First I find the spot (standing up) that I want by using bony landmarks, looking in the mirror, and feeling the muscle. Then I put the EMLA cream on that spot 1hr prior to injection. Then 20min before injection I ice the area. The ice helps numb the spot better than the EMLA cream.
When I go to give the shot I sit down on the edge of my bed, remove the band aid (EMLA turns my skin white so I have a perfect target), clean area with alcohol. I insert the needle with my right hand, hold the syringe in place with my left, aspirate with the right hand then inject the medicine very slowly. Hurts if you push too fast.
When i'm done I walk around for a few minutes then apply a heating pad to the area and massage it gently.
It would be much easier if a friend or family member could give you the shot. It is hard to relax when you give it to yourself. It makes me feel tense and keyed up afterwards but you know, you do what you have to do.
Good luck.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Conversely, I like it better when I give it to myself. It takes the unknown out of it, I know just when it's coming.
It's also easy to give it to yourself lying down, sort of on your side. You really only need to look to find the spot, inject, and draw back. After that you dont' have to keep your head turned the whole time you are injecting it.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
My husband was trained to give me the shots. He went to a workshop organized by a nurse and practiced on oranges.
That worked great for us. Though I have heard of lots of people who give themselves the shots, that clearly works well too.
Bicillin is worth the effort, I had great results with it.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I look in the mirror first, find the spot to inject, and put a little dot near where I plan to inject so I can find it again once I'm lying face-down. Then I put an ice pack on that area for about ten minutes while I get my shot supplies together.
I watched some injection videos on YouTube which really helped me understand where and how to inject. I'm sure they are not all correct, though, so be sure you read up on it as well so you're injecting in the right spot!
I lie face down on a mattress, look around for my target, and inject. It helps to consciously relax the muscle first, as a tightened muscle hurts a lot more. Pull back to check for blood, then inject, then pull out the syringe in one quick smooth motion. It's not easy, but it gets easier over time.
Posts: 929 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2007
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
I did them myself in the butt for a long time. I always did them lying down in bed on my side, and reaching back to the outer upper butt cheek. Once you get used to doing your own shots, it makes life much easier.
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joalo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12752
posted
Thank you to everyone who replied!!
Sometimes I don't know what I'd so without you guys!!
-------------------- Sick since January 1985. Misdiagnosed for 20 years. Tested CDC positive October 2005. Treating since April 2006. Posts: 3228 | From Somewhere west of the Mississippi | Registered: Aug 2007
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