I’m new to SI and to start with my partner was doing them no problem but when he’s been away working I’ve had to do them myself. I did them sc into my stomach area. The first one I was left with a bruise but subsequent ones I’ve been left with a red circle about an inch wide. Can this be normal or what am I doing wrong as my partner does it sc into my buttock area and I’ve nothing there?
I SI ever alternate day just now
My partner started giving my my injections first in the area shown for subcutaneous injections but now I’ve done a few I do them in the tummy area
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Bamboo71
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I don't think you need to be an expert to inject into a muscle - you do need to be trained by an expert and many surgeries seem keen to teach this. It's quite straightforward really as you just need to know how to avoid blood vessels and nerves - and make sure its done with strict observance of sterile conditions.
Traditionally the dorsogluteal (DG) muscle was used for IM injections but this muscle is in close proximity to a major blood vessel and nerves, with sciatic nerve injury a recognised complication (Small, 2004). In addition, drug absorption from the DG muscle may be slower than other sites and this can lead to a build-up of drugs in the tissues and risk of overdose (Malkin, 2008). Many patients find the use of the DG site intrusive and are reluctant to undress to give access to the relevant area. For these reasons, the DG muscle is no longer recommended for IM injections – in spite of this, many nurses continue to use it.
I did not suggest anyone self inject into the bum. That would be extremely foolish as it is not at all practical and as you say is fraught with danger. The best place to self inject is into the outer middle third of the thigh. Raising the leg allows the muscle there to be readily seen - don't inject with the leg raise though.
Thanks, that’s what I’m getting. I bruised the first time at a 90 degree angle so was doing 45 but getting a pink mark. I’ll go back to 90 degree and I’m sure I’ll get better with more injections as still a bit cautious 🙈
Yes. Sometimes goes perfectly other times I've feel ive messed it up? I lost a whole dose once as just pushed the syringe to hard ti remove a bubble and shot the whole lot across the room lol
The trickiest bit i find is to remove the needle cap/cover without the whole needle??
I do intra muscular injections, into my thigh weekly. I’m fairly fit, although less so with covid, and inject into to top part of my thigh using a 5/8 25g needle. Occasionally I get a small bruise, but have found a “good spot” on each leg so I alternate. It also helps to draw up the b12 and then swap out the needle tip for a fresh one to inject with.
I also inject in the upper thigh--If looking down and the top of the thigh being 12 oclock--I inject at about 2 oclock position (25 g x 5/8 inch length needle). Change needle prior to injection. Once the needle is completely inserted I inject the B-12 very slowly--never end up with a bruise . Works great for me--hopefully for whoever else tries this method. It's IM of course.
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