Why do injections hurt me so much?

[catfunk]

I will preface this by saying I've never given birth so obviously haven't been through the most painful thing!

I have a chronic joint condition and tend to crack on with life/ don't let it stop me getting out/ don't rely on the pain meds I'm subscribed and about so always considered myself to have a relatively high pain threshold. I've had Botox and find it totally fine.

However I find some injections REALLY painful. I've had a lot lately due to cancer treatment and I can feel whatever they inject in, wether it be general anaesthetic, dye, radioactive liquid burning as it enters the skin and spreads out.

When I'm cannulated I can feel the liquid going in and it's very painful and burns.

Anyone else or am I a big sissy?

Bumping x

May be hyper sensitivity, or what's in the drug, if it's quite acidic etc- not qualified clinical doctor but that's my first thoughts

I can feel it too, but it's a case of mind over matter. I choose not to have sedation for a procedure I regularly need using this technique too (means I can drive and leave 10 minutes later rather than have to be taken by dp and wait 4 hours for the sedation to ease/monitoring)

I'm the same. I find it very painful when the needle goes in especially.

Hi, I completely get what you mean after having similar treatment. You would think the more injections you have the less they would hurt but actually the reverse can happen. Your body reacts to the constant attack.
I would suggest you speak to your nurse or doctor and explain how you are feeling because some injections are more painful than others.
The only why I've found that helps is to make a concious effort to relax your whole body immediately before the injection, close your eyes and breath deeply while the injection is given.
Good luck, I can honestly feel your pain.

Giving birth was no way the most painful experience I have had, the most awful was major concussion. It’s probably the actual medication, was thinking that you were someone that may tense up but it sounds like just certain meds and not the fear of being injected.
Good luck with your treatment and speak to your medical team about pain levels.

Perhaps your chronic condition makes you more sensitive?

Yes! You are the only other person to describe the burning as the liquid goes in, and spreads out. Unfortunately, I don't know why it affects us this way, just thought I would say u are not alone 🙂I've always described it this way to people, but they've never understood what I've meant.

I suffer from awful needle pain too! I had a c-section and honestly, just felt achey and uncomfortable, but the cannula and the blood thinners were absolute AGONY.

Similarly, I almost blacked out from the pain when I got my ears pierced, but was walking on a fractured ankle.

I thought that was normal. I had to have something injected once for a scan. I told the nurse it was painful and I was going to vomit, she said "don't be silly, no-ones ever bee sick with this" right before I was. I could feel it moving through my body.

I know the sensation you mean. I had one drip that was excruciating. I asked for some painkillers and the nurse gave me a valium instead like she thought I must be imagining it!

Obviously I took the valium. Then asked if she could actually get me some painkillers this time.

Thanks everyone for making me feel better!
The cannulas also irritate my hands - red blotchy and swollen for days after but I'm not sure if it's the needles or the medication that's causing the pain and irritation.

Simple blood tests are usually ok although I don't love them. It's when they administer medication via a cannula it's next level painful!

I was surprised how much some non -cannula needles into the dermis also hurt and irritated my skin lately - it looks and feels like bee stings after for a few days. It must be the medication causing irritation.

I'm going to research some pain management/ breathing techniques as it's making me dread my next appointments
And I know In the grand scheme of things, the needles are the least of my worries
!

Oh no, glad I'm not the only one !!
It's a special type of pain that makes you feel queasy isn't it, I think I'd prefer to break a leg !

Are you a ginger/red-haired?

This might not help since it's only a part of the sensation, but you can get EMLA (anaesthetic) cream OTC to numb the injection site beforehand. They sell it in little tubes so it's easy to keep in your handbag.

Emla cream numbs the surface, that's not the problem for me. It's feeling the liquid moving through my body that's sore. It's the weirdest feeling.

I know the sensation and it wouldn't help with that, no. I can't think of anything else that might make an cannula more bearable though.