Stomach injections post-op

[24andBIONIC]

Im out of surgery and have been getting precautionary stomach injections for clots since in the hospital.  I cannot stand shots, and the stomach seems to be the spot that bothers me the most.  Today I put the gut on ice for about 10 mins and then did the shot...didn't even feel it go in!!!  Just figured I would share for anyone else who hates them too

[Dannywayoflife]

I'm pretty sure(but I'm not a dr) that the shots can go in any subcutaneous tissue ie the thighs glutes etc. I know I rotated my shot sites as much as possible. I treated them like my mates treat insulin shots so figured so long as it when somewhere fatty and the site was clean it was ok but check with your doc if your unsure.

[morph]

Because I am so out of shape at the moment I can pinch at least an inch..lol Hopefully that will change soon. This makes makes the whole experience not too bad for me. Without the flab I would imagine it would be unpleasant, it comes in handy sometimes. I suppose this is why it is in the stomach normally. Icing is a good idea to numb the area.

[Woodstock Hippy]

Don't scare people off.  That needle was so small that I ddin't even feel it.  It was the easiest part of the whole recovery.

[24andBIONIC]

hey man, to me a needle is a needle haha.  No matter the size they don't get along with I.  But, to others out there....they are pretty darn small.

[Spanielsal]

Ooh just found this thread, top tip to ice before! Thank you

[rubyred]

I was a little freaked out at first at the thought of injecting myself, but to be honest the thought of doing it is worse. The needle is minute and as I can pinch more than an inch currently I barely feel them go in. Just make sure to change the place on the tummy you inject every time to avoid unesscessary bruising etc.

In the end the nurses were letting me do it myself in hospital before I even came home!

[Spanielsal]

Mine burns afterwards, does it do that to you?

[rubyred]

Mine burns afterwards, does it do that to you?

Yep! It stings for like a minute or two as the medication goes through the muscle. That's worse than the injection! x

[Mr.Box]

I had the same injections after my arthroscopic first surgery on my left hip. I hate needles. You know how some people hate clowns.. well I hate needles more than that.

My fiance at the time had to give me the injections and I generally hid my face under a pillow while she did it. Yes.. I was a 29 year old male 6'2" hockey player and I hid from needles.

Told yah, I hate those things.

[jmckeague]

10 shots down, 4 to go....

Tiny needle no real pain, but I am conditioned to fight pain :), not passively accept it and administer it to myself....

[Spanielsal]

Yeah, I'm still squeamish about them, I had to do 28 and still have 11 to go, they aren't too bad but I'll be SO glad when they're over! 

Mr Box, needles or Daleks... We all need to hide our face away sometimes  ;D

[Tin Soldier]

I took aspirin by mouth.

Did Daleks have needles that they injected in people's stomachs? 

[Spanielsal]

Heeeheee, sorry Tin, old Dr Who reference. I'm not sure whether that one crossed the pond .....

[Tin Soldier]

It crossed the pond, for me at least.  I even have an old Dalek toy "exterminate, exterminate!, but I vaquely recall they might have had a needle that they injected into uncooperative humans, maybe? 

Just glad all I was prescribed aspirin for ant-coagulant.

[hipnhop]

I hated those shots.  I would just clean the area then do the thing.  I would always reward myself with a diet coke. I know, it sucks but it was only for two weeks.

[Spanielsal]

I knw it was naughty but I stopped after 3 weeks..... Shhhh. My skin seemed to toughen up and I was having to stab really hard so I just..... Stopped.

It'll be my own fault if I die of DVT, but didn't have to do it last time, didn't die then, guessing I might be ok......

I took those darn stockings off too.

[rubyred]

Sal, my stockings are off too! Naughty me I know, but I swear they were making my leg swelling worse and I'm fairly active during the day now. I'm still having the injections though, but they are getting more sore to do even though I'm alternating sides and areas.

[kamoynsgi]

Think I got off lightly.  No injections or stockings, just aspirin.  Phew!

[lyn]

I didnt have to shots either. And wasn't really aware of them until I saw this post. If the shots are for blood thinning why don't doctors use blood thinners in pill form instead of needles? Lyn