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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:
rempy · 19/12/2012 22:18

You can overthink things like this - and us all chatting on here isn't helping much.

My (mainstream medical) opinion is you need to just get on with this - or get husband to do it. As already expressed, it is not that difficult. You should try to get your mind on something else - something pleasant - remember a day on holiday in the smallest detail, or play some music which is a fairly powerful emotional manipulator.

Or, you have to decide that you are not going to do it. You have been given plenty of "for" opinions on here. The population risk reduction has been substantial with the use of guidance and appropriate dosing of these medications. Not taking it is going to increase your risk, compared to a person that does take the medication. No one can say definitely that you will, or will not get a DVT. If you get a DVT no one can say definitely if you will or will not go on to develop a PE.

Only you will know if your anxiety over the next week about not doing it could be on a par with the very short lived act of doing it asap.

GlaikitFizzogTheChristmasElf · 19/12/2012 22:18

I had them after my cs and I'm a wimp too. I was told to put them in my tummy but just couldn't. Dh eventually did them in my bum after I spoke to the ward and they agreed bum was better than nowhere!

My community MW even refused to do it because she didn't have the right clearance to administer it Confused even though she was in both days I had to administer at home.

I completely understand where you are coming from, but its important you take them. Dvts can be very nasty and you don't even know you have one until its bad.

ggirl · 19/12/2012 22:18

do you have an abdominal incision?

SneakyBiscuitEater · 19/12/2012 22:20

I had multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli whilst pg with DC3 I had daily injections for three months and then warfarin for 6 months I was left with significant lung damage and was incredibly lucky not to have any long term heart damage. It was terrifying to be so ill and have doctors bluntly telling me I would be lucky to survive, please just do the injections the potential consequences are too serious to do anything else.

Tips for injecting form me: pinch some chub to one side of your tummy button and inject at a 90 degree angle into the pinched bit. Depress the plunger slowly and like a previous poster said don't rub the area afterwards.

Original poster
auntpetunia · 19/12/2012 22:26

OMG I did it, well hubby did it, he was better than the nurse! I can't believe I got myself So worked up about it, but I am So needle phobic just seeing the package made me feel sick. Thank you all for making me do it...only got to do it again tomorrow, see you all about the same time for round 2!

OP posts:
SneakyBiscuitEater · 19/12/2012 22:27

Well done Petunia

rempy · 19/12/2012 22:28

Thank you. Very much. Very very much. Next time will be easier.

Happy Christmas.

3littlefrogs · 19/12/2012 22:31

Yes, it is very important that you do it.

Children as young as 7 have to learn to inject themselves with insulin, several times a day.

You only have to do it a few times.

Post operative pulmonary embolism can be fatal.

BettySuarez · 19/12/2012 22:32

Well done to you and your DH - I was getting quite anxious there Grin

3littlefrogs · 19/12/2012 22:32

X posted.

Thank goodness. Now you have managed, it will be easier next time.

VivaLeBeaver · 19/12/2012 22:38

Well done. I do sympathise.

SuiGeneris · 19/12/2012 22:48

What rempy said.

YES: it is vital. Literally do, in that it is a life-saving injection.
Ok, you are scared, but you are building it up into something bugger than it is. I have had to do those daily for over 12 weeks, so I know. Plucking your eyebrows is more painful: the needle is so small you hardly feel it. Just grab a large pinch of skin on your thigh and inject vertically into it. Pull out and do not rub. Done.

SuiGeneris · 19/12/2012 22:51

Sorry x-posted and manage to delete half my post too (am typing with one finger on the phone while holding a sleeping baby).

Well done!

aufaniae · 19/12/2012 23:22

Brilliant, well done! Thanks

browneyesblue · 20/12/2012 00:09

I came back to check how you were doing - well done! That's fantastic :)

Snazzyfeelingfestive · 20/12/2012 00:24

Well done. Flowers Now you know it is not so bad tomorrow should be better. The anticipation really is worse than the actual thing itself.

knackeredoutmum · 20/12/2012 21:27

next time put an ice cube where you are going to do it, then you know it wont hrt you.
or, get hubby to get it ready, pinch your leg really really hard, and get him to do it quickly very close to the pinch site

Mamadeaks · 06/12/2023 16:31
Checking In I Love You GIF by Seize the Awkward

Your nurse wasn’t very empathetic- I have same fear of injecting myself and was kindly given clexine tablets instead!

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