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Original poster

Self-administered, blood thinning injections - tips please!

30 replies

LittleScottish · 20/01/2020 22:58

I'm having to give myself 2 injections a day, post-operation last week, and it's just horrible.

I'm doing it into the fat on my stomach (I had a stomach op) but are there any tips for making it less yuck?

It doesn't hurt that much, but it's such an alien thing to have to do, that I really have to build myself up to it. shudders

OP posts:
NatashaRomanov · 20/01/2020 23:20

I wish you luck. I had a week of it after I gave birth last year. I did the first 2 OK, but struggled with the third, and it threw me off. Adding post-partum hormones and exhaustion too the mix, and my husband had to take over, as I got too upset over it.

So. Do you have someone else that could do them?

RainbowMum11 · 20/01/2020 23:27

Is there someone else that could help?
I could very easily tell you that it's fine, not weird at all, you get used to it etc - but that isn't going to help you x

Hedgehogblues · 20/01/2020 23:28

After my c section they told me to do it in alternate thighs each day.

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CrisisMummy · 20/01/2020 23:37

I did it into my buttocks ...

Makegoodchoices · 20/01/2020 23:41

I pinched the area quite hard while inserting the needle. I did find that better than not as it made the skin stable and also felt ‘further away’ from myself iyswim. Good luck.

Nousernameforme · 20/01/2020 23:43

Is this with the plunger things? I had two weeks of it after my last baby. We were getting ready to leave hospital when I was presented with a sharps bin. That was the first I heard of it.

I think you just have to screw up your courage and go for it. It's not nice but sooner it's done sooner you can forget about it until the evening dose.

Councilworker · 21/01/2020 01:53

I had to do it all through my pregnancy with my second baby and then for 6 weeks after my CS.
Pinching the flesh you are going to inject is the best tip as it means the needle pushes against a firm surface and goes in easily.
Thighs work as well as stomachs if you're having clexane. I ended up with a lot of bruises so used different places over the weeks.
Once you are set up needle in one hand, squidgy flesh in the other just do it. Don't stop to think as that's when you start to get the wobbles. Push the plunger down slowly and firmly until the sleeve thing clicks down.

It stings but don't rub it or go too fast as it makes the bruises worse.

Singlenotsingle · 21/01/2020 06:02

I was lucky I suppose. I used to go into the hospital and a nurse did it for me. But I'm just a wuss!

Berrymuch · 21/01/2020 06:05

I used to have something nice to eat afterwards, so I knew that once it was done I could have that, it was horrible and stang though. Not sure if you're supposed to but some days I took paracetamol about 30 mins beforehand. In terms of actually putting it in, I would sit on the settee but leaning back, pull my top up and just go for it without looking too much (probably not the best plan, but worked for me). Is there anyone else that can do them for you?

RefuseTheLies · 21/01/2020 06:14

I had clexane injections during ivf. I found they were less stingy if none of the little drops of liquid escaped before I had a chance to get the needle in my skin. And definitely no rubbing afterwards unless you enjoy having pretty bruises to admire.

I also used to have intramuscular injections and the needle was huuuuge. Husband used to hold some ice on the area to be injected to numb the skin up first. Or try some numbing cream?

nakedavengeragain · 21/01/2020 06:23

I had to take Clexane for a DVT for bloody ages. Coincidentally was doing a ultra long haul flight within days of starting them so was jacking up in tiny plane bathrooms! Certainly made me matter of fact about it!

My tips for pain free injecting
-pinch skin really really hard
-move around stomach with each injection so you aren't going over the same area.
-get rid of air bubble but don't have liquid on end of needle before

  • don't think about it just do it and do it at a perfect straight on 45 degree angle, don't slant to the skin
  • press plunger ridiculously slowly. I used to take around 2 minutes to get it all in -totally pain free
-remove needle by letting go of the pinched skin -don't rub

You'll be used to them pretty soon.

Veganmedic · 21/01/2020 06:30

Don’t get rid of the air bubble like a previous poster says-it’s supposed to be there and it’s in the leaflet to not interfere with that as it means you get the whole dose of liquid! You can also lose loads of the minuscule volume messing about trying to expel it. The air bubble acts as a driver to push the last drop into you and doesn’t cause you any harm.

I hated my first 2 injections, now 12 weeks later it’s manageable and rarely stings. I slump on sofa with feet up, firm pinch and needle slowly in. I wiggle my toes whilst slowly injecting, no idea why helps but it seems to.

If you truly hate it though and have someone who could do it for you that might help. For me it’s better to be in control so I’ve learned to just get it done but that’s not for everyone.

Patienceisvirtuous · 21/01/2020 06:51

If you grab the fat on your tummy and apply pressure, try and imagine the fat isn’t part of you and that you’re injecting something separate to your body.

Goingwiththeflow2019 · 21/01/2020 06:56

I use Palmers Skin Therapy oil on my skin after the shower and found this has helped minimise bruising, marks and makes it more easier to go into the skin. When I run out I noticed a MASSIVE difference so always keep a stock now (I'm twice a day fragmin and have been since June!)

Also pinch the fat you want it to do into but then release as it goes in. Makes sure you alternate sides so AM one side, PM the other. A few people in a support group I'm in have mentioned using ice on the area prior to injecting or just after injecting helps them. If you have someone at home talk to them whilst you are doing it - even through rooms or sing along to a song to distract yourself. Good luck xx

Freshnewus · 21/01/2020 06:58

Use a numbing cream. You can buy EMLA cream over the counter for about £5 and will last you a few goes.

Alternatively put ice on the area for a minute before Injecting. Pinch hard.

Frustratedandworried · 21/01/2020 07:28

All the tips here are what I would suggest minue the expelling air as I was told not to do this... posting in solidarity as I'm on twice daily ones following an op last week.

SallyLovesCheese · 21/01/2020 07:32

I hated mine for the 10 days after giving birth. I was really struggling, injecting into alternate thighs and I was getting a circle of reaction around each one that was itchy. I really had to force myself the last 5 days or so. If I have another child I won't be doing them myself!

bravotango · 21/01/2020 07:32

Oh I had huge anxiety around this and they were surprisingly fine! As PPs say, pinch the area and slowly but firmly inject. You'll get used to it very very quickly.

Helenluvsrob · 21/01/2020 07:40

Ice before and after as per you tube video.

Bert2020 · 21/01/2020 07:44

Try not to think, just go for it. The longer I thought the harder it was.

fatisnotafeeling · 21/01/2020 07:56

I am 27 weeks pregnant and have had to have them the whole time.

I find doing in my stomach much less painfully then the thigh, I tried my thigh once and wow that stung a lot.
I have found going in at a slight angle helps and trying not to think about it just doing it deep breath, I always put the cap of the needle in my mouth and bite as hard as I can an find that helps too.

Original poster
LittleScottish · 21/01/2020 09:33

Some great tips there - thank you so much.

Will continue to pull up my big girl pants and get on with it xx

OP posts:
avocadotofu · 21/01/2020 10:36

You have my sympathy, I had to do it for a week after my c-section. I couldn't manage it and my husband had to take over.

user1471505356 · 21/01/2020 10:46

Warm the injection in your hand first, less stingy.

rosesandcashmere · 21/01/2020 10:47

I was on clexane for a while and the nurse taught me to sit/lay, bend knees and whack in top of thigh. No fat pinching So less painful

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