Re: Rosemary - Intra Muscular injenctions

[Guest guest]

Maia,

When my son was eight years old, he got an antibiotic called Rocephin

for his first pseudomonas exacerbation.

The shots hurt like heck! The doctor struggled to keep from crying

while giving the first injection because he knew how badly the med

was hurting . So the next day, the doctor went to the hospital

pharmacist asking what to do; he learned they could add Lidocaine or

Zylocaine to the syringe to deaden the pain.

got an injection every morning and again every afternoon in

each thigh for 14 days. His thighs looked like pin cushions.

Back then, those four shots per day cost us $120 a day. We didn't

have the option of a PICC or IVs. And looking back, the $1,680 was

cheaper and less invasive than a PICC placement, and IVs meds and

timing IVs around the clock, and a hospital stay, and possible lost

school days.

I think the child has to have the right temperment to endure these

twice-a-day injections. It was very hard seeing my son go through

this twice a day, every day, for 14 days.

It was also hard on the nurses at our pediatricians office. But they

were saints -- they never rushed him, they explained everything, and

one nurse in particular always diverted his attention at just the

right moment by talking about the upcoming Superbowl football game

with him. He'd sit in my lap, and they let him take as much time as

he needed to choose the exact spot on each thigh for the injection.

I can still remember them discussing these details with him -- if he

chose an area too far on the outside of his thigh they explained why

that wasn't the best choice, so then he'd choose another spot. They

always let him choose whether it was the right leg or the left leg

first; then they'd let him choose a pencil or sticker afterward --

and always encouraged him to choose an extra one to take to his

sister. For IM meds, your nursing staff must be top-notch when it

comes to hygiene, patience and compassion.

But most importantly, depending upon the overall health of the person

and the quantity of bacteria in the culture, IM meds may not be the

most suitable choice.

Kim

Mom of (23 with asthma and cf) and (asthma no cf)

Yes. One of the side affects is mild paraysis and PAIN...my son

screamed for 1 hour!! It was awful. But since he won't take oral

meds it was worth it!