How difficult is it to self inject ? - Atrial Fibrillati...

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How difficult is it to self inject ?

dedeottie profile image
22 Replies

Hi there everyone. I hope you are all managing ok and keeping safe.

My husband has to have enoxoparin( clexane) for 3 days after a prostate biopsy. He can have it done at the surgery or inject into his tummy himself. In tbe interests of keeping safe from the dreaded virus, we think he is better doing it himself. Have any of you done this and have any handy hints to make it as foolproof as possible.

Thanks x

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dedeottie profile image
dedeottie
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22 Replies
bantam12 profile image
bantam12

It's easy once you get the knack and vary the place you stab.

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie in reply tobantam12

Thanks. Good tip. X

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Grab an inch of tummy and jab. Had to do it several times in similar circumstances. Hope his come in the right sizes,. They were out if mine so I had to do two smaller ones each time and ended up looking like spotted dick. .

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie in reply toBobD

Thanks Bob. Nothing too technical then! I have offered to do it for him but he says he isnt letting me anywhere near him with a needle! X

Jalia profile image
Jalia

I've done this many times. Pinch a lump of skin and jab away ! Dont think about it too much and vary the site . Much better than trudging up to the surgery . I had rather spectacular bruises.....

Good luck !

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie in reply toJalia

Thank you. It certainly will be safer to do this at home rather than risk the surgery during the pandemic. X

Jalia profile image
Jalia in reply todedeottie

You get used to it very quickly!

paolina profile image
paolina in reply toJalia

try not to rub area after to minimise bruising!

pottypete1 profile image
pottypete1

I had to do this when my Warfarin was suspended whilst I had a colonoscopy.

At first I objected because I didn’t feel confident to do it myself. In the end I was given instructions by our GP practice nurse and I injected heparin for 5 days.

I would have preferred not to do it myself but on reflection it wasn’t too difficult.

Maybe ask your practice nurse for a demonstration.

Pete

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie in reply topottypete1

Thanks Pete, we will. X

Kaz747 profile image
Kaz747

Very easy. I had to inject myself every night for 6 weeks when my leg was in a cast after surgery.

Jane921 profile image
Jane921

I had to inject the same medication, Lovenox, many times when I have had to be off of my anti-coagulant. A nurse taught me what to do and it worked out well. She said pinch the skin, then gently touch the skin with the tip of the needle and push. It worked. Alternate injection sites. The longest was 2 weeks.

Took me a couple of times to get used to it.

Stumpy47 profile image
Stumpy47

I believe patients are only allowed to inject subcutaneous (just under the skin) & not deeper ( intra muscular). So it is very easy to do, the nurse normally get you to try it to see if you are ok with it.

Jay10 profile image
Jay10

When my husband had to have Clexane after a kidney procedure he asked me to do it for him, which I did. Not a problem.

Cumbremar5 profile image
Cumbremar5

Yes I've had to do that best to pinch the skin away from the navel area and inject into the skin at the top between his fingers you don't feel the needle going in.

Barb1 profile image
Barb1

My husband did this for me for some weeks but into the arm as I preferred that and nurse said it was fine.

Kikki1971 profile image
Kikki1971

Hi gave my mum injections into the tummy after chemo. Are the needles spring loaded? I always found these much easier and foolproof x

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie in reply toKikki1971

Not sure. I think we need to find this out !

Flyer2820 profile image
Flyer2820

I had to inject my wife before she had a pacemaker fitted. She found it better than the nurse. Didn't feel a thing.

Just get your other half to stand at the other side of the room and throw it shouting, ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY. ( Joke )

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie in reply toFlyer2820

I think that may be why he would rather do it himself lol!

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie

Thanks everyone. Your replies are really helpful.

X

djmnet profile image
djmnet

I had to do this for two weeks. It was only difficult the very first time; once you've done it the first time, it's no big deal at all.

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