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Original poster

Tips for injecting yourself?!

43 replies

YesQueen · 28/08/2019 20:25

Obviously contains talk of needles Grin
I have to inject myself every week or two and I'm really struggling at the minute. I think because the side effects are so bad I've started to link it with the needle?
I'm basically holding off vomiting as I do it and retching beforehand Sad
I need to do it tonight. Help? I can't have it done at the doctors as I work FT, and I have to inject it sub cutaneous

OP posts:
PippiDeLena · 28/08/2019 20:27

Can you get someone else to do it? I'm not squeamish at all but when I had blood thinning injections I had to ask a neighbour (former nurse!) come around to inject me every day.

BlackNoir · 28/08/2019 20:29

Also second getting someone else to do it for you.

Original poster
YesQueen · 28/08/2019 20:29

Sadly not. I did a couple of times at my old job but I've changed jobs, and none of my neighbours would TBH, they're quite elderly. Argh
I hate hate hate the side effects so much Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
YesQueen · 28/08/2019 20:30

It's ridiculous, I've been doing it for nearly 3 years but the last few months...

OP posts:
toffeepinklady · 28/08/2019 20:31

Could you get it done with the practice nurse? Even with you working full time, surely this would be a condition for which you could have reasonable adjustments? Or attend in the morning before work?

orangeshoebox · 28/08/2019 20:32

is it methotrextrate?
it sucks.
take the high dosed folic acid to reduce the side effects.

the side effects of not taking it are worse tbh.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 28/08/2019 20:33

What sort of needle is it? Is it a full on syringe type or a multi needle clicky pen?

Original poster
YesQueen · 28/08/2019 20:33

@toffeepinklady (sorry I feel I'm being one of those posters that says no to everything!) I asked and they said they could only do it if I came and sat and waited and it could be half a day as they couldn't guarantee they could do it
Work adjust for my appointments which are every 12 weeks
I work 8-4.30 or 9.30-6 but leave 45 mins before I start for commute/traffic

Maybe I could try my thigh instead of my stomach...

OP posts:
GoodStuffAnnie · 28/08/2019 20:33

Pinch the skin really tightly. I had to do it after dc3. No one told me. It was totally fine once I started doing this. Big pinch so you’ve got 2 inches of skin / flab between your fingers.

Wildthyme · 28/08/2019 20:34

I found it easier to inject in my backside as I can't see it go in.

If you really can't do it, see if your GP surgery will allow you to see the practice nurse to do it for you.

Original poster
YesQueen · 28/08/2019 20:35

It's a full syringe, I have to mix it and draw it and change the needles. Once a week or fortnight for life so I need to get over this blip!
It's this https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/treating/supportive-and-other-treatments/supportive-therapies/g-csf.html

OP posts:
flumpybear · 28/08/2019 20:35

I'd go for the upper thigh or bottom - is it heparin? Hope you're ok OP

Wildthyme · 28/08/2019 20:35

Ah, sorry, I did not read your post thoroughly so didn't see the bit about sitting and waiting.

Flowers
lampplease · 28/08/2019 20:35

I can't find it right now, but you may have more luck, but when I had to inject daily blood thinners I found this great lady on You Tube and watched it a few times then just went for it.

I hated it at first but like everything you do get used to it - play a song you like or something else to distract - it is a bit of a mind game & not a natural/easy thing.

Good luck have a nice reward for after like chocolate or something.

Oblomov19 · 28/08/2019 20:37

Have you looked at video's?
40 years ago (yes really I am that old) they taught diabetics to 'pinch an inch' and we practiced on an orange (which really does still have the same feel as skin) but techniques have moved on a bit (thank God) and done videos are good.

Original poster
YesQueen · 28/08/2019 20:39

Yeah I did when I first started and had about a 5 min run down with a nurse. I've probably done it 150 times now but I would say the last 3-5 times I've been close to throwing up
I know it's because my brain has gone "inject this, get ill" ConfusedSad

OP posts:
flumpybear · 28/08/2019 20:42

How about pretending you're injecting your worst enemy or does it help doing it after a hot bath? Or the old favourite - have a slug of brandy before and after?!

Original poster
YesQueen · 28/08/2019 20:43

I'm googling thigh but can't work out whether you do side or front or if it matters
I need to do this after coronation street finishes!
Stupid stupid side effects

OP posts:
BobbinThreadbare123 · 28/08/2019 20:44

I find thigh more painful, as there's hair follicles. Pinch your abdomen skin hard, as much fat as you've got, then do it quick! Suck a breath in and then fast out. Sympathies, OP. It's not nice but if you've got to do it to stay well, you gotta do it.

Original poster
YesQueen · 28/08/2019 20:47

Yep definitely. I remember posting about the drug on here once and someone else had an injection of it and said she would rather give birth 10,000 times than have it again Grin

OP posts:
sheshootssheimplores · 28/08/2019 20:47

My partner has to inject Interferon weekly. It has a really big needle and he does it into his thigh. I know he hates it and has to gear himself up to do it 😣

greenwaterbottle · 28/08/2019 20:48

I'm much better standing and looking in a mirror.
I'm best in my stomach, thigh hurts more, but those are the only places I'm supposed to use.
Check the needle, I use a 45 degree angle but the needle has a pointed/slash side so you need to rotate the syringe.
Sometimes it does hurt in a place but if I move over a cm it doesn't hurt at all but I can't explain that.
Good luck

MrsLoganEcholls · 28/08/2019 20:49

You're are no doubt right, you've got a Pavlovian reaction going on I suppose.
It's understandable, as who wants to voluntarily make themselves ill even if it's for the greater good.

I don't have any advice, sorry. I just sympathise as I had to have months of blood thinners due to pregnancy and can understand how hard it is to actually stab yourself!
It's basically pinch hard and do it, I know that doesn't help though...

sheshootssheimplores · 28/08/2019 20:51

I didn’t find injecting the blood thinners daily particularly hard during pregnancy but the needle was so fine. It’s when it’s a fucking thick needle and you know it’s going to make you feel ill. Makes sense that your body doesn’t want to instruct your hand.

Original poster
YesQueen · 28/08/2019 20:51

That's exactly it! Pavlov, it's like a conditioned response
After I do it I'll get a headache, then I wake up around 2-3am pouring with sweat but cold and shivery. In the morning headache is still there but I shake uncontrollably, can't hold a cup etc and am usually burning hot as I get a fever, then severe bone pain. It's like having flu for 24hrs. Great GrinHmm

OP posts:
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