Topic: Bicillin injections, do I need the lidocaine?
tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
I was just prescribed bicillin injections and she also gave me a prescription for lidocaine to numb the area first.
For those that are already doing bicillin injections, I was just wondering how necessary the lidocaine is. Does it REALLY hurt without the lidocaine? I'm trying to save money so don't want to get the lidocaine unless I absolutely need it. Thanks!
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I use it and it helps. There has only been one time I did not use it (for time purposes it takes 45 minutes to numb up) and it hurt more, but wasn't unbearable. The injection still hurts as the medicine is going in even with the numbing, but the lidocaine makes the insertion of the needle a little more bearable.
I myself am running out of cream, and don't really care one way or the other.
tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
Thanks for replying Mandy! I think what I will do is try it once without the lidocaine and if it's awful I will just get the lidocaine. Thanks a bunch!
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am on my sixteenth week of getting the bicillin shots and I have never used the lidocaine. It doesn't feel good but it really doesn't hurt much at all.
I personally would save my money.
Melissa
-------------------- When the going gets tough. . . I'll keep fighting! Ms. Geet3721
New LLMD, New abx, New life coming right up!!!! Posts: 714 | From La La Lyme Land | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Laura, you could try icing the area 20min prior to injection. It helped more than the topical lidocaine. But I used both because the injections still hurt alot.
I also found that it was less painful to inject slowly between 5-10min. If I went too fast the muscle couldn't accommodate and it would be sore longer.
After injection apply head and gently massage the area. It helps to relax the muscle so that you won't be so stiff and sore the next day.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
And if you're concerned about the cost, I only used half of a tube of the topical cream in about 5 months. It was also generic so cheaper still.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I use ice, but how long is it supposed to take when you inject? my husband does it in less than 1 minute. Jenin
Posts: 455 | From Maryland | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I was given a script for Emla cream (which contains lidocaine). I would highly recommend it since they can be painful.
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
Well, since I'll probably only use one tube the whole time I'm on it I think I will buy it.
And yes, how long is it supposed to take to inject the bicillin?
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Some people like to inject slow but I like to get it over with. I'd say total time is around 30 seconds.
I would get the numbing cream it does help. I put a pea size drop on the area, then saran wrap it for 45 minutes. Also, sit on a heating pad after injection.
Posts: 348 | From maryland | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
I used the lidocaine cream to numb the area sometimes; other times used ice. It certainly was bearable without the numbing cream, but that often made the injections almost totally painfree.
Depends on your pain threshold! Some people have no problems with the shots, others like me are sensitive. Ice works very well too.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic