Bleeding after Methotrexate injection : Hi, just... - NRAS

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Bleeding after Methotrexate injection

Abbi_080 profile image
23 Replies

Hi, just wondered if anyone else gets this or if it’s something to be worried about - the last couple of injections I’ve done I’ve had quite a bit of bleeding from the injection site. Like a big blob of blood comes out as soon as I take the pen off my leg and it takes a while to stop bleeding. And then I get a bruise about the size of a 20p for a week or so. I dont usually have this issue (I’m on my 10th week of them), my partner suggested I may be accidentally moving the pen while pressing the inject button but it’s just happened again even though I was trying to keep extra still! I’m probably worrying over nothing, it’s just that I previously didn’t get any bleeding at all.

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Abbi_080
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23 Replies
KittyJ profile image
KittyJ

You’re probably just hitting a capillary, I do that sometimes. In fact I still have a bruise from last week. It happens sometimes. You could check with your rheumy nurse for reassurance if you’re worried.

Abbi_080 profile image
Abbi_080 in reply toKittyJ

Ok thank you! As long as it’s not just me haha.

helixhelix profile image
helixhelix

Yes, it happens. Before you inject stretch the skin a bit to see if you see a blue thread and try to avoid it. But even so I can’t always. I guess it happens 1 in 20 times with me, so you are being unlucky.

Abbi_080 profile image
Abbi_080 in reply tohelixhelix

Thanks - I’ll give that a go!

LinaM profile image
LinaM

Yes it’s happened a few times to me and nasty bruises to follow. I find it difficult to avoid on my legs so stick to stomach

Abbi_080 profile image
Abbi_080 in reply toLinaM

I might try it on my stomach next time - I’ve been only doing it in my legs so far to ease me in haha

LinaM profile image
LinaM in reply toAbbi_080

Just stay a couple of cm away from belly button as there are blood vessels around it ( apparently)

rounder profile image
rounder

It just happens sometimes, I did the same yesterday injecting my abatacept, today I have a bruise about 4cm in diameter.

Mickymoo profile image
Mickymoo

I always injected my legs thinking it would be alot less painful. I was left with brusing so i thought id try my stomach. Did it about 2 inches from belly button and didn't feel a thing! Just pinch the slin slightly first. X

D_aisy profile image
D_aisy

Thank you for answering one of my long awaited questions lol. I'm starting injections this week and was thinking one of my queries for the nurse was will I bleed out (bleed out - so dramatic but true thought LOL) and how do I avoid veins!! Love this site. Thanks guys :)

Soundofmusic52 profile image
Soundofmusic52

Hi I was told to inject only my thigh or stomach I wasn’t told leg ?? Hope you get it sorted as you shouldn’t bleed take care

ruth_p profile image
ruth_p

I do that too. I put pressure on it with a tissue which usually stops the bleeding.

Piwacket profile image
Piwacket

Hi I inject methotrexate and also adalimumab

Methotrexate in my tummy and adalimumab in thigh

My nurse told me definitely thigh as it is a more fleshy area but i find it much more comfortable to inject tummy so I would give that a try.

When you bleed do you dab with tissue ? I first used wipe and nurse told me wouldn’t help stop bleeding as they are astringent advised to use a tissue

If I had a choice I would go for tummy every time not as a scary as it sounds if you are not sure of the correct area speak to your nurse

jbzm profile image
jbzm

We went through IVF years ago and I had to use my thigh then. Really didn't fancy it this time. I find my tummy easy in comparison. Again, the odd week with a bruise, not always following a bleed, but I do bruise very easily and it can take a couple of weeks to go.

'Pinch an inch' and off you go . . . along with the 5cm plus from your tummy button of course.

Happy5 profile image
Happy5

Use 4 sites thighs and stomach. They can be difficult if like me your hands lose strength sometimes. So yes it happens, I re-put the wipe on it & press down, stops the bleeding, still bruises. It heals up & I try to do better next time. ;) I hate the smell of the wipes for some reason, & sometimes it stings after when done in the stomach.

Hate doing them but think of children going through worse so take a deep breath & keep doing them each week.

Chins up eh? :)

MadBunny profile image
MadBunny

I sometimes get that when I hit a capillary.Like others have said it can be difficult to avoid in the thighs .Mine are quite fleshy but so is my stomach😊So I tend to use that more.My rheum nurse told me I have to be extra careful as Im on an anticoagulant.

Jacey15 profile image
Jacey15

This only happens when I hit a vein.

BonnieG123 profile image
BonnieG123

Abbi, I get bleeding with blood tests. Sometimes worse than others. They usually have me put pressure on it with a cotton ball and then they put a bandage on it tightly. I remove it when the I get home And it’s absorbed into the cotton. I don’t think it’s a cause for worry, but check with a medical professional.

Mumcon profile image
Mumcon

I’m the exact same as you The past few months especially I thought maybe it’s because I have been on them for a while I’m left with quite a lot of faded bruising x

marie66 profile image
marie66

Bruising?!? Me every other jab! I just bruise easily and keep nicking wee veins! Look like a spotty dog at the moment! Lol M x

Egpa1 profile image
Egpa1

Hi, i inject mtx once a week, was told by the nurse to alternate legs each week and as you take the pen away put a piece of cotton wool on press down on it and secure it with tape. Stops a lot of bruising and bleeding. Now only get it now and again. Can't inject in my tum, always make me feel very sick for days.

bienassis profile image
bienassis

This is not unusual; only a problem if the bleeding is excessive and takes a while to stop - in which case phone the rheumy advice line. This happens to me from time to time - and always followed by a bruise. KittyJ mentions hitting a capillary - that's it.

Llanberisman profile image
Llanberisman

Only had one spot of blood once, never any bruising. I alternate thighs and sides of stomach.

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