Clexane - prefilled syringes vs Vials

[BadSailor]

Have just been on the Sanofi site - makers of Clexanre - and see that vials of Clexane are available as well as prefilled syringes. I am convinced (though have no science to back this up) that the sting and bruising might be in some way due to the actual girth of the needle and wondered if anyone has experience of both and if there is a difference? Am wondering if I should ask my consultant to prescribe the vials and separate syringes next month as the IVF injections never gave me this much grief but were from much finer needles!

I was taught to inject it slowly (10seconds kind if slowly) to reduce pain and bruising associated with clexane injections. Worth a try if you don't already?

Is it your stomach you're injecting into and have you just started recently? I started about six months ago and was told to do it in my legs but it hurt more there so I stuck to my stomach.

Make sure you're injecting into enough skin, like TerracottaPie says try to do it slowly and don't rub the area afterwards.

I'm sure it's all in my mind but sometimes I don't feel a thing then other days it stings like mad. Eventually you'll build up scar tissue or find an area where you don't feel it as much. Mostly I find it stings if I hit a blood vessel but it's not really possible to tell if you will.

I asked my consultant about the size of the needles but she said the pre-filled syringes are generally no better than the vials... as well as the extra faff of preparing them. However if you really wanted to try, they should help you with that and if it works better for you then what's the harm in trying?

Hope this helps! :)

Hello
No experience with the vials I'm afraid, although I work in healthcare and suspect you won't be able to find a better needle for it. I agree with terracotta pie and babyradio. I have also taken to varying the injection site, working my way clockwise around my body (right thigh, right tummy, left tummy, left thigh!). Sometimes I barely feel a thing, sometimes it stings like hell and sometimes it leaves the most godawful bruise (I still have one about 5cm across on my thigh, goodness knows how I managed it). I was chatting to a homecare nurse not long ago and he thinks it's the molecular make-up of the drug that causes it to sting and bruise - he said that most people have a pretty unpleasant expereince with it. Sorry x

I'm not even sure you'd be able to get hold of the vials, even in hospital they use pre-filled syringes.

I think I'm just so used to the flipping things now they just don't hurt that much any more. I'm on my third pregnancy with them and my second pregnancy doing them twice a day after confirmed clots in my lung (which I got while I was on one injection a day anyway!) I do think it's the fluid that stings more than the actual needle though and injecting it slowly does seem to help.

I've had a chat with my consultant as I'd started bleeding from the injection site hours after injecting...and then didn't stop bleeding for about 7 hours.
I am now filling insulin syringes from the pre filled syringe as the vials are only available to medics. Had to prove to my consultant how I injected but she was then happy for me to continue with the insulin syringes. I think having had to inject with IVF she was more receptive. She couldn't have been more helpful.
The difference is enormous. While I still bruise the pain is virtually non existent. Feel like I've got my life back somewhat and am not so pre-occupied with the dread of that huge needle.
It's worth having a chat with your consultant rather than suffer in silence.