Does anyone inject themselves or someone else?

[MummyDoIt]

DH has got clots in his leg and his lung and now has to have daily injections to thin his blood, indefinitely. We could get the District Nurse in to do them but that's too restrictive. He doesn't want to do them himself so has asked me to. The nurse showed me yesterday and I'll be doing my first one later today. I am soooooo nervous. Just wondered if anyone with any experience had some tips (apart from a stiff drink beforehand - for both of us!).

.aim below the belly button and to either side. Take a good pinch of fat/skin. push in needle at 45 degree angle. inject smoothly but not too fast. You will be all finges and thumbs the first few times but will get the hang of it very soon.
good luck.

While I was in hospital before DTs were born

I had to have heparin and the MW gave me a massive overdose using the wrong size needle loaded with drug, ie 20ml instead of 2ml

So I decided I was safer doing it myself and I just jabbed it into my leg after cleaning with a wipe thingy

It was fine and I felt much safer doing it myself

I am not medically trained or anything but it was fine

I once gave my cousin her insulin - quite exciting for a teenager

me, being the teenager that is.

Like Nigella says. I had to do it every day whilst pregnant with dd2 and dd3 [had a clot at 10 wks pg with dd2). Make sure you get a good grab of skin - I alternated between the right and left of my belly button each day ... and don't spend too long thinking about it. It is very scary doing it the first few times, I had to really phsyche (sp?) myself up to do it, but once you've done it a few times, it really does become part of the routine. Your DH may even find that it's easier if he does it himself. I'm the biggest wuss about needles, but even I managed it! Good luck

We teach lots of our pts or carers to do their own.

My top tip would be don't be indesisive, quick in, inject slow, quick out.

Good luck!

My mother has injected herself with insulin several times a day for 50-odd years. I and my sister have both done it for her (when we were still teenagers). Be decisive, you'll get used to it quickly.

Good luck.

I would also suggest that you stab the needle in quickly (I promise that you wont feel it, it is so tiny) but inject nice and slowly to avoid bruising.

Once you have done the first one, it will get easier.

Hope your DH is ok?

Indecisive - sorry!

I've injected heparin for the first trimester of both pgs. With blood thinners, I would be careful not to pinch wahtever bit of fat you choose too hard - in addition to the 'not too near belly button etc' guidelines.

Also, try and avoid areas which might be restricted belts, because that will cause bruises - I looked like I'd been battered a couple of times, when I went too near my knicker elastic line

You'll be amazed how much easier it feels the second time, then like making a cup of tea - automatic. Good luck!

I have a diabetic cat and do him twice a day.
Lost sleep over the responsibility of it to begin with Now its just the norm. Good Luck.
Dont make it a Big Thing, just go for it!

Thanks for all the tips. I did grab in inch of belly and went in quickly. Wasn't as bad as I feared and DH said it was no worse than when the nurse did it yesterday. I did suggest he try it but he really couldn't face it (big wuss!). Now that I've done it once, I don't feel so bad about doing it again. I guess it will become routine in a few days. Thanks again!