[lishermide]

I hope this is OK here, I though it might be a good place to catch the experience of EB'ers

DD13 is having to have daily Clexane injections for the next 6 weeks due to being immobilized in broomstick casts. She has Factor V Leiden, so docs are worried about the potential for blood clots.

She's become a bit of an expert at needles lately, but had the first Clexane shot in hospital yesterday and cried at the pain. She's terrified at the thought of the next one, let alone 6 weeks of them. I know there would be lots of experienced clexane users here on EB, so thought I might tap into that.

I've thought of EMLA cream, though have been told by some that it really only helps where the needle goes in, not with the deeper pain/burning. Ay experience there?

Injection site tips? She is very slim, so hard to find anywhere with fat lol.

Has anyone else had to deal with this for a child?

[Excentrique]

Might have been a one of thing that it hurt so much? I've given quite a few, most patients don't even wince despite the fact I'm a student

Don't rub the injection site. It will bruise and be a lot more painful. Rotate where you give the needle each day. If she is skinny, you will need to pinch the skin to give it, or give it at an angle. I prefer to pinch the skin.

See how she goes with the next one.

[Bluemakede]

I have no advice for the pain, but injections should be abdomen, lower, stay away from the belly button though. I've also given them many times in the outer thigh (it was policy on a ward I was on), though I'd check with the dr if you decided to inject there.

Pinch the skin up to give more fatty tissue and slowly release. And don't alco swab before hand (not sure if you are or not, but clexane becomes more painful if you wipe as it removes the oil from the needle).

Hopefully someone will have better tips for you to deal with the pain.

[lishermide]

She'd already had 4 needles without a whimper earlier in the day. I don't doubt it hurt. From what I've read and been told she's absolutely not alone in finding it very painful.

Her skin was pinched. It went in slowly.

Pinched skin at an angle?

[lishermide]

Bluemakede, they did alcohol swab first. So that could have been part of the problem. Thanks.

[kwiggle]

I agree with your daughter - they always hurt me! Both DH and I have had to have it at various times and he calls me Dr Dracula when I give it to him too slowly, so a medium pace for the injection is my tip. EMLA might help a little, but probably won't take away the sting. She might feel better using it though, sometimes the placebo effect is very valuable!

[Therese]

A few years ago my youngest had to have clexane after getting a DVT. She has some other big medical issues so the Dr's and nurses were intent on making this as painfree as possible as she needs lot of other interventions.

We were told that it does hurt.

We ended up using a different needle than the one on the clexane. A thinner needle which meant we needed to draw it up differently every day but it was supposed to make it less painful.

And no alcohol swabs either as that makes it sting.

EMLA is a tricky one. It takes an hour to numb the site which can just add to the fear as she is waiting for the needle if that makes sense.

Good luck, I hope it all goes well.

[Satay chicken]

I've done about 70 Clexane injections during my time TTC so a bit of experience

I personally found having a hot shower, then straight after sitting on the loo so I could see what I was doing and be able to grab some fat (although I would have alot more than your daughter), insert the syringe on a 45 degree angle with the sharpest point going into the skin first. Doing it this way I never really had any pain and no bruzing. I think the skin is softer and more subtle after being damp and warm.

All the very best, I know its pretty tough...

[elmo_mum]

i had clexane daily for 7weeks, most times it didnt hurt

the nurses "pinched" the skin - and just quickly did it!

hugs to your daughter

[lishermide]

Just a bit of experience Satay Chicken I just knew EB would be the right place to ask.

We're not up to trying showers yet. Double casts with bar across, plaster can't get wet. Sponge baths only here until we get a bit better at maneuvering. These casts are so heavy!

Thanks Therese, sorry you've been through this with your child too.