I just found out I will have to give myself shots in the belly

[hoc9sw]

I'm getting shots in my hip joints plus some 6-month interval shots due to cancer treatments in hips and belly. One I call the Enterprise, because the syringe is a huge three chambered beast.

As well one (also cancer related) I administer 20 times a month in an area we shouldn't discuss here. If I can do that, nothing else is difficult. Nothing.

 

[Rastoff]

It is to prevent deep vein thrombosis after joint replacement surgery. I want to thank those of you that have reassured me that it is no big deal. It will be a new experience for me.

After surgery on my femur I had to take this same shot. As long as the nurse was doing it I was fine. However, when they told me I was going to have to do it myself, I told them no. There is a pill you can take that does the same thing. It's ridiculously expensive at about $12/pill and it's new, but it does work. Ask your doctor about it. The shot has a proven history of working so, they probably won't let you take the pill, but it's worth a try.

I told the doctor that he could give me the shots, but I wouldn't take them. The pills might not be as effective, but I would at least take the pill. He capitulated.

**I am not a doctor and am not giving any medical advice. I'm just relating a story of what I did.**

 

[kantuck]

It is to prevent deep vein thrombosis after joint replacement surgery. I want to thank those of you that have reassured me that it is no big deal. It will be a new experience for me.

My hip was replaced 12/01/15. My doc uses the shots if your diabetic. The rest of us he prescribes 325mg aspirin for 6 weeks. They are cheap and orange, not expensive at all. I had my 60 day checkup and was released until the 12 month checkout. i went i with a long list of "can I do this or thats" he said yes to them all except for long flights where he has you use a medication for the clotting danger. my hip was done anterior and I can hardly tell I have it in there! Magic indeed!
I did "belly fat roll" injections for allergies for 2 years-like said they are easy done, maybe hard for very skinny people? try a cortisone shot in the heel for comparison, that's the one that separates the men from the boys?

 

[Houlton]

Shots

Had to do it twice. Knee replacement and stomach surgery. Keeps you from getting blood slots.

 

[Doug M.]

Whatever you have to do in order to avoid that DVT, shut up and do it. Take that on faith.

When I was first diagnosed as Type II diabetic, I gave myself Insulin. That's EASY - thin and watery, and tiny needles. When I threw a clot while in the hospital after my diabetic diagnosis (boy oh BOY were they excited about my BG level), I was on IV Heparin, oral Coumadin, and IM Lovenox at the same time. I am a major needles sissy, but insisted on learning to do it myself. The first Lovenox shot really sucked - felt like gear lube, and left a tremendous bruise. After that, it was not as bad. No idea why.

 

[EQGuy]

Well the surgery was a success. I was released from the hospital on Friday. I gave myself my 5th shot this morning, 5 more to go. Like most of you said it is a piece of cake. Not something I look forward to doing but it is really pretty painless. I see the Doc again in a week to have the dressing removed and to be further evaluated. Just another life experience to added to my memory bank.

 

[Rastoff]

Congrats on the success.

I still would have lobbied for the pills.

 

[Long Barrel]

Shots are better....

....than some of the other things that you can have. I do four in the stomach each day for T2 diabetes, and just finished a set of 5 each in the knees for arthritis. Much rather have the shots than either of the two open heart operations or the prostatectomy that have made my golden years glow. Seriously, try to get some training and practice, then you can do the injection with no anxiety. Remember, old age ain't for sissies.

 

[PatriotX]

As others have already said, congratulations on the successful outcome !

...I still would have lobbied for the pills.

If your goal is to avoid shots, the pills have at first daily, then twice-weekly, then weekly blood draws to test your PT/INR.

Perversely, there are fewer shots with the shots. If that doesn't show that G-d has a sense of humor, I don't know what does.

 

[Rastoff]

If your goal is to avoid shots, the pills have at first daily, then twice-weekly, then weekly blood draws to test your PT/INR.

Maybe we're not talking about the same pills. The ones I'm referring to are to reduce the chance of a blood clot after surgery. When I took them (after two surgeries) no blood draw was required. So, I'm not sure what you're talking about.

And the goal was not to avoid shots. It is to avoid giving myself shots.

 

[rwsmith]

Get an LP!

You ain't lived till you get a spinal tap.

We watched 'House' and learned that no matter what somebody is complaining of the first thing you do is give them an 'LP' (Lumbar puncture).

"I'm dizzy and I can't feel my legs"

"Get an LP!"

"I've got the sniffles"

"Get an LP!"

 

[PatriotX]

Maybe we're not talking about the same pills. The ones I'm referring to are to reduce the chance of a blood clot after surgery. When I took them (after two surgeries) no blood draw was required. So, I'm not sure what you're talking about.

And the goal was not to avoid shots. It is to avoid giving myself shots.

Hehe...I'm a needlephobe, but only when it comes to myself. I give my dog 2 shots a day, and sub-q fluids to one of the cats weekly.


Wifey had a dvt, and was on oral warfarin (Coumadin). Those required the schedule I described; I'm glad that wasn't the case for you.

 

[zonker5]

I get 4 shots a day but have found there is a bright side.

After the shot, save the alcohol wipe. After they dry out they make perfect patches for cleaning a .22....and MediCare paid for them!

 

[Krell1]

Geez, I had a major joint replacement some years back but never had to do the shot routine. Maybe they've changed things now. Gotta go to the orthopedic guy soon for shoulder problems and we'll see what he has to say. NOT looking forward to it at all and may put it off till it's actually killing me. Sometimes they tell you to do that anyway.

 

[BigBill]

I do needles everyday no biggie(diabetic). Gotta do what we need to do.

 

[Rastoff]

Geez, I had a major joint replacement some years back but never had to do the shot routine.

I was told that the shot is only about 15 years old and has a tremendously good track record. The pill is only a couple years old and has yet to be evaluated as much as the shot. So, it doesn't surprise me that many have not had them.

 

[R. G. Amos]

How do you know when you have inserted the needle to the right depth. With my luck I would probably miss my stomach.

 

[walkinghorse]

How do you know when you have inserted the needle to the right depth. With my luck I would probably miss my stomach.

Most of the needles mentioned are about 1/2" in length and if 27 g. pretty small. The end of the syringe acts as a stop. Wasn't always that way !
Now for my horses some are 3" in length.

One time in for a mylogram, and the radiologist was former Navy doctor with a sense of humor. He said watch this, this guy is faking his injury (an attorney was there with him).
He explained the mylogram, injecting directly into the spinal cord, and withdrawing spinal fluid, injecting dye, etc. He also explained the potential side effects in detail! Then he produced the needle to be used, looked like a 8 penny nail about 5" long ! Then said this will cause some pain!!! The patient got up and walked out, with the ambulance chaser pleading for him to come back to no avail!! The doctor said it works every time !