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Original poster

dvt self administrred injections after hysterectomy! I can't do it...is it vital?

43 replies

auntpetunia · 19/12/2012 21:26

OK So had hysterectomy on Monday and sent home today, No problems with that feel fine lots of wind and bloating but wound OK and generally couldn't wait to get home. However in my bag of pain killers is two needles which I am supposed to self administer to stop dvts, I've had two injections one in theatre on Monday and one last night, I've got the sexy dvt socks on,. But I can't do these needles I did tell nurse this and she said I must or DH must do it, he said he won't as he doesn't trust me not to jump about and hurt myself... He's got a point . Do I really need to do them?

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 19/12/2012 21:31

Yes, they're important. The needle is tiny, very fine and very short. The injections are very easy to do. Shut your eyes,count to 3 and do it.

Original poster
auntpetunia · 19/12/2012 21:36

I really can't, why is it so important I've had two csections before and never had to do this, I do remember having the injections in hospital, not doing it at home though!

OP posts:
browneyesblue · 19/12/2012 21:37

I inject daily into my stomach, which sounds similar to what you have to take (Clexane?).

If it is the same/similar, I have always hated needles but am managing with DH's help. I numb the area with an ice-pack first and take a big pinch of skin. I put the needle in then DH does the plunger bit as I'm all thumbs.

If it is the same drug, I was told not to rub afterwards as it makes the area sore, and it leaves a bruise. I rubbed it the first time - they were right, never again!

Chubfuddler · 19/12/2012 21:40

No you don't need them. The NHS has money to burn on giving people pointless drugs to take, just for fun.

What do you think? Of course you need them. Point, stab, depress plunger. Not fun, but not hard.

browneyesblue · 19/12/2012 21:42

If you really can't manage it, can your practice nurse do it? Or maybe they could help you at your local hospital - when I had to do my first injection, the hospital pharmacist phoned around and found a lovely doctor who talked me through it and helped me do it properly.

Tinkerisdead · 19/12/2012 21:47

I had to inject fragmin(like clexane) as i had a pulmonary embolism (well multiple ones on both lungs actually). Everyone said to me, if you had to inject, you would, you just would!

But i couldnt!! Months i had it and i just couldnt do it. I was too hesitant. My dh had to step in and the nurse told him its like literally chucking a dart in. He loves darts so said brill yep i'll do it. It stang but i swear he was better than all the nurses. I had mine in my thigh and he never bruised me once.

Now, it is important. Yes. A dvt can turn into an embolism. I cannot tell you how frightening it was to hear "you may very well die. Some women do but at least you're on injections". The pain in my chest was like a heart attack and i could. Not. Breathe. Find someone, anyone to inject you but dont discard them please!

rempy · 19/12/2012 21:48

Ahem - are you somewhat larger than when you had your C sections?

The risk of DVT (and subsequent potentially fatal pulmonary embolism) increases substantially with increasing weight.

There is significant reduction in DVT, and hence potentially FATAL (apologies for shouting and repeating myself, but I wouldn't want you to be under some illusion that this is a benign complication) PE when these drugs are used.

There is a window of high risk for all - the day of surgery, and the days of relative immobility after. There is then a longer period of risk, but as you are more mobile, you will be doing enough to combat the risk yourself.

The needle is very similar to that for diabetics. Tiny.

snowmummy · 19/12/2012 21:49

I think you know the answer already OP Hmm.

Threelittleducks · 19/12/2012 21:49

Just do it. They are really horrible (a bit burny) but if you just stick it in the top of your thigh super quick and inject super fast, it's done.
The pain and horridness comes when you drag it out. Just quick - in, inject, done. Don't dwell, just do it.

Original poster
auntpetunia · 19/12/2012 21:52

Believe me I have tried, I just can not stick a needle in myself, can't possibly get the practice nurse to do it that means going the surgery and can just about walk the loo 48 hrs post Op. Chub fuddler No good having a go at me I told nurse not to give me them as I wouldnt be able to do it, she said it was standard discharge pack!

OP posts:
Delayingtactic · 19/12/2012 21:56

Your GP surgery should be able to arrange a district nurse to come give it to you. A lot of people can't manage to inject themselves (for perfectly valid reasons - I include fear in that) and it really is pretty damn off that your nurse dismissed your concerns. Patients should not be allowed to leave until they have demonstrated that they can inject correctly by doing one themselves on the ward v

VivaLeBeaver · 19/12/2012 21:57

Exactly, you can just about walk to the loo. Your immobility is a major reason why you need it. Plus abdominal surgery raises your risk, never mind any other possible risk factors you may have.

You possibly didn't have it after sections as it is a fairly recent thi ng due to research and changing guidelines. Women who have had sections now do get it.

The rate of people getting dvt, pulmonary embolisms has dropped like a stone since the Nhs has had a drive to assess everyone's dvt risk and medicate appropriately. Many lives are being saved.

canutesauntie · 19/12/2012 21:58

Yes Fragmin is really important, especially if you aren't moving about much post op.
The injections are easier than you think after the first time, straight into any belly fat is good in terms of not feeling much. You'll get fab bruises though! I found doing some deep breathing first and forcing myself to smile to relax helped.
If you have to keep taking anti dvt meds for some time they'll swap you onto warfarin tablets after a week or so anyway, so not too many injections to go.
Hope you feel better soon and get to rest up over Christmas.

Original poster
auntpetunia · 19/12/2012 21:59

Rempy No I'm No different in size to when I had my sections 5ft 11 and 11stone. I have walked more since I came home than I have in hospital, upstairs to loo, down for done TVs, back up again now to bed. I have the injection here but I can't do it, I am having palpitations and feel sick just looking at it, my stomach keeps going into spasm at the thought and that hurts my scar.

OP posts:
hippoCritt · 19/12/2012 21:59

Do you still have contact details for the ward for someone to tam you/somebody else through it, I am not great with injections but I managed fine with those, two seconds could save your life, don't just leave it

PogoBob · 19/12/2012 22:05

If you can't do it your DH really has got to step up and do it for you. Keep your eyes closed and sit as still as you possibly can whilst he does it quickly. Please get the injections done.

Original poster
auntpetunia · 19/12/2012 22:08

Oh delayingtactic the discharge was a farce, told going home 9.40, OH to collect at 11, 11.20 drugs are being prioritised, 11.40 can you wait in waiting room we want your beds, waiting room chocker with couples waiting had to kick couple of husband's off seats, then waited till 12.15 taken into side room told what drugs were for and sent home!

OP posts:
Chubfuddler · 19/12/2012 22:08

I'm not having a go at you. Your question was dim. Don't take the injections if you don't want to, but of course you need them.

BettySuarez · 19/12/2012 22:11

It really is absolutely fine and you MUST do it. DVT is a potentially very serious condition.

Take a fold of tummy fat between your thumb and forefinger and jab the needle in quickly.

You won't feel it, the needle won't snap or do any unwanted damage do there really is nothing to be afraid of.

Once the needle is in, inject slowly to minimise bruising.

You honestly will be fine.

If you do get a DVT by the way then you could find yourself having to Envynicer daily for weeks

BettySuarez · 19/12/2012 22:12

I have no freaking idea where or how that Envy face got there?

BettySuarez · 19/12/2012 22:13

OP where are you based?

ggirl · 19/12/2012 22:13

Ideally you or your husband should administer the injection , if not the District nurses can come but you need to contact your GP to make the referral.
We do it regularly and then try to teach and help people to do it themselves but quite often we end up making daily visits until your coure is finished.

aufaniae · 19/12/2012 22:15

auntpetunia you have to do this. You need to find a way. Not taking them is stupidity of the highest order.

If you really can't do it yourself, you need to make a plan for someone else to do it.

So, what's the plan?

Snazzyfeelingfestive · 19/12/2012 22:15

I have had to do this too, and yes, it is important. I did it for over a year for reasons I won't go into now. Don't look as you do it. Just stick it in and don't hesitate, then push the plunger bit slowly to actually administer the drug.

If you can't do it your DH must. And ring your GP practice tomorrow to ask for a district nurse to come and do it for you. This is one of the things they can/should do.

DVTs cause all sorts of problems and a pulmonary embolism (where it goes to the lung) could kill you. Seriously, don't take the risk.

Original poster
auntpetunia · 19/12/2012 22:16

In my tummy! Oh she said leg....

OP posts: