Numbing cream ?

[Yvette49]

Hi everyone, Happy New Year to you all. My husband has to give me my interferon injection as I am a bit of a wimp to do it myself ( which I could)sometimes it doesn’t hurt, but other times like just now it does, never sure how much to pinch the skin or not. Has anyone used a numbing cream?

[bordeauxgirl]

My doctor gave me a tube of numbing cream for a procedure , just ask, I am sure they would be happy to supply it if it is a regular thing. Good Luck and a Happy New Year.

[Sunnylesser in reply to bordeauxgirl]

HelloI use a numbing cream for blood drawing because my veins are so bad and they have to stick me multiple times. I put it on one hour before and it’s amazing ! I really don’t feel much at all!!! Here in the US it’s $30 a tube but my insurance does cover it . It’s called Lidocaine Prilocaine cream. It should last you a very long time! Definitely worth a try!

Stay well

[hunter5582]

I never considered a numbing cream as I can barely feel the injection when I give it to myself. It hurts more to take the band-aid off. I do use the "pinch an inch" method, grasping an inch-think roll of skin and injecting at 90 degrees. Works great. No muss-no fuss.

Note that if you inject at 45 degrees that the angle of the tip of the needle does matter according to some who inject this way. I never found any difference with the way I self-inject.

Hope you sort it out ASAP.

[Yvette49 in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks Hunter, will pass info on to hubby 😁

[Poppy6060]

Hi Yvette49 you are not the only one who’s husband gives you the injection my husband does mine like you I could do if I had to but don’t really like needles Lol I have been having injections now for four years and sometimes I don’t feel it and other times it really hurts and bleeds my husband does pinch a inch I do find one side of my stomach is better and doesn’t bleed I think perhaps the other side may have more broken vains and always seems to leave a red mark I have never used a numbing cream hope it helps you I do get the injection out of the fridge for five to ten minutes before the injection take care best wishes Poppy

[Yvette49 in reply to Poppy6060]

Hi Poppy, thanks for reply…..I have white coat syndrome too 😢 I have red marks too now all over my tummy I do pinch an inch, but maybe to tightly or not enough!! Will take out of fridge for ten mins before next time 👍

[Hearingu]

You can buy EMLA cream from the chemist . It is great . Worked for me !Good luck 😊

[Wyebird]

I haven’t used the numbing cream but I do use an ice pack. I used to leave it on for about 20 mins but now only for about 5. I’m a humongous whimp and I manage to jab myself. I honestly think it was because I was in a foul mood when I took my first jab. My neighbour prepared it and I stabbed it it. It initially took 3 hands lol. 1 to pinch skin, 2 to stab a a 3rd ( her’s) to push plunger in.

[Yvette49 in reply to Wyebird]

Thanks will try the ice pack…..thanks for the laugh and my picture I now have of you all 🤣🤣

[Wyebird]

Honestly it was like a comedy sketch 🤣🤣

[Hopetohelp]

I don’t use numbing cream but I inject on the lower part of my tummy, to the side. Sounds daft but before injecting I practice by pinching the skin and gently scratch the area with my nail which tells me which area is less sensitive and then I go in at a 45 degree angle. Make sure the pointed side of the needle is closest to the skin. I hardly feel it. I also take injection out of fridge half hour before. Finding an area that is free of the red blob from previous weeks probably takes the longest. Good luck

[CAOR]

My husband also gives me my shot because I can’t handle needles. I have the same experience with it hurting more sometimes. I think it’s more painful when not injected into enough fat so I try to grab more now and that seems to help. I’m sure a numbing cream would help too. Has anyone noticed the skin staying red at the injection site?

[Yvette49 in reply to CAOR]

Hi, yes, I’m quite bruised all over my tummy….

[CAOR in reply to Yvette49]

How long have you been on peg?

[Yvette49 in reply to CAOR]

About 3 years now

[CAOR in reply to Yvette49]

Thanks so much for the reply.Have you tried injecting in your outer thigh?

[Yvette49 in reply to CAOR]

Ooh no, maybe I should try different area 🤔

[Bobadog]

Hi Yvette,I use ‘EMLA’ cream .

I get 30mg tubes of EMLA on prescription from my GP.

This helps ++ with the discomfort caused by venesections.

I rub it in over the area,pop a cotton pad over it,about one hour before.

All the very best,

Bobbie(UK)

[Bobadog]

Ps,I haven’t used for injecting Peg ,as that’s ok for me ,compared to the venesections.

[Vtr1000]

Hi Yvette49, Hopetohelp has already mentioned that different areas of skin are more sensitive to injections at a particular time yet another time it’ll be fine. I strongly agree with this as I inject a minimum of 4 times a day with insulin plus once a week with Peg. For me as I have just a little experience I can just touch my skin and know if it’s a good spot, if not I check for a different area.

[Yvette49 in reply to Vtr1000]

Ah thank you VTR good tips,.. Xx