Injections after chemo

Hi Sparkle498uk 

I had to do this for 7 evenings from the day after my EC chemotherapy for the 3 cycles. I didn't find it painful to do but watched a demonstration on YouTube before I did it the first time, which I think helped.

If you have the same type of injections as I did, you need to get them out of the fridge, I think it was half an hour before injecting, so they've warmed up. Then pinch a good amount of stomach fat and introduce the needle at about a 45 degree angle. Slowly press the end of the needle in and it should be reasonably pain free, well no worse than having an injection at the doctor's anyway.

((hugs))

Thanks so much for that tip. Yes sounds like the same ones, I keep them in the fridge but have been doing them straight from the fridge so will leave them out to warm up slightly and see if that helps. 

If you go on to YouTube and type in the name of the injections you're having, I think mine were Filgrastim, there's an excellent video taking you through it step by step.

Yes that’s them. Thank you I’ll have a look x

Daughter had them too. She eventually got very used to them and would agree that getting out of the fridge 30 mins before you inject helps. We didn't know about the YouTube video, that's a really good tip.

Best wishes for successful treatment. x

I have to do them for 5 days after EC.  Nurse showed me how to do it. I get no pain but I do have enough fat to pinch easily. It doesn’t make any difference whether I inject them straight from the fridge or wait half an hour. I tend to do mine at 5 pm each day.  One of the side effects is sleeplessness so I don’t like to do them any later but neither do I want them to restrict my daytime activities. Nurse recommended 5pm for me. 

I found playing loud music really helped to distract me  

I've just done my 6th of 7 injections.  I've hated doing them, and they have stung quite a bit. My stomach is quite bruised too. I Can't wait for my last one tomorrow. I get 2 weeks respite then before chemotherapy number 2 and it all starts again. 

Oh gosh poor you, 3 has been enough for me.

Yea they do sting quite a bit don’t they. I didn’t know I’d go straight on them, I presumed they monitored your white blood cells then when they got low they gave you the injections then. Ah well I guess prevention is best!

I only bruised once. I now make sure I go into fat and nowhere near any thin blue vein lines.