Blood appears at site after injection

Giving myself my shot, I had what I thought was too much blood coming out of the site, I gave myself my shot in the thigh. How do I know when to worry?

[Dale_Ray]

I spot, I dot, I flow and I've screwed it up everyway imaginable and I can still type. Can't do the thighs though I have to stay with the stomach to find fat and not much there either. I may be wrong but I don't think you can do a whole lot of damage. Are you hitting the site at 45 degrees with the needle? Good luck a welcome to the I hate shots forum. Talk to your doctor would be the best advice. We are all sufferers in here. I'm in charge of the whinning section. Good luck to you. Dale

[Paris47]

Thanks, I think I love the best part of your answer...regarding the whinning.
My emotions were almost hysterical, I tried to call the hotline nurse, answering machine. I just didn't know what to do, tried to get on this site, and the site was 'full' so I had to wait until today to sign up.
Agression is becoming a problem, dry skin, but I am so thankful I found this site.
thanks so much.
I loved reading the archives, that was extremely helpful last night, when I felt so alone.

[FlGuy]

Several drops of blood is not unusual. Sometimes you won't see any.  Not sure how far thru tx you are. But, if you have low platelets due to tx, or going into tx, you may have a tendency to bleed a little more than usual.  If you inject the ifn and it make a little mound under your skin don't press it.  It will subside and diffuse on its own. Have fun.

[Paris47]

thanks, I guess that's what scared me, first two shots, piece of cake, no blood, nothing. But I wasn't comfortable with the shots in my stomach area. Not enough fat to pinch, so I tried the thigh, and oh my, I was a mess, I prefer this area, but will work on my angle?? Also, I think I'm genotype B. I need to get my paperwork out, I feel somewhat uninformed about my own treatment.

[NYgirl]

Sometimes it bleeds sometimes it doesn't. I think also remember it's mixing with the medication so it might LOOK like it's bleeding more than it really is.  I make sure I leave the needle in to the count of TEN after I've done the shot and it has helped me with the "backwash" effect LOL

Best of luck on treatment!

[GoofyDad]

I had those problems on and off. I got more dilligents about the 45 degree angle and also learned where I seemed to have problem areas. It got better. It's best to pull back slightly before plunging to check for blood. Instructions say to discard shot if this happens (v. rare)... I think the wisdom here is to move over a little to a new site and continue.

If dummies couldn't do this, they wouldn't have us trying. Little prpblems are to be expected. Good luck.

[beamishboy]

AGGRESSION!!!??? whada yu mean? cranky,short tempered,impatient,bewildered,anxious,grouchy,ANGRY,unsettled and just spoiling for a fight? Nah,not me on trx meds....and don;t you dare insinuate otherwise...Welcome to the Club...
Dale-ray-good man,hope your havin a Doable day!....eat an extra big brownie if the poorlys get ya down-Memphis munchies ,my man..
Flguy-good day...how yu copin w/ after trx-everything honky dorey???
Kalio-anxious movielovers everywhere await your latest piks...howya doin???

[sunspot]

I am being made, by my work benefits office, to have an independent medical evaluation. It’s because I have been gone from work since Thanksgiving week. I have not gone back because it’s a very high pressure job and I still have mental fog. I had a 7 hour session of neuropsychological testing, at my shrinks advice, on March 15th and the results will be in on April 4. My EMI is on March 28 with a GI named Dr Stephen Lanier Coleman in Birmingham, Alabama. I did a Google on him and the only thing I could find for free was that he has been a Dr for 32 years.
Does anyone know where I can get more information on him and what paper work should I being with me?
Oh yeah, my HGB never went above 10.6 after the first month of tx and at times fell to 9.3 even with procrit. I started at 16.0 and I think that the amemia contributed to the mental fog.
My hats off to spell checking, it's so nice to have.

[friscosue13]

I'm still waiting for the black and blue mark to go away from my first shot on 3/17.  I injected at a 45 degree angle, and the PA said I probably hit a blood vessel.  My friend told me to go out and buy a stud finder!  Second shot I went straight on in at 90 degrees, injected slowly and waited a beat before withdrawing the needle.  Also -- I may have an advantage, being of the more zoftig persuasion and having a bit more of a tire around the middle than I like to admit.  At least it's coming in handy for something!  Be well!

[friscosue13]

Sorry -- pushed the button too soon.  Not even a hint of a sign that I injected the second time.

[FlGuy]

Using my Ins Co's website I found him.  He's a certified Gastro. Attendend UAB, graduated in '74.

[NYgirl]

Sometimes the black and blue marks are horrible...sometimes they don't come up at all. What's really FUn is when you have one on BOTH legs LOL I can't wiat till summer! Who needs a halloween costume little kids will running screaming in to the night "mommy what is WRONG with that skinny bald black and blue lady!"

They never last more than a month and I noticed the longer I was on tx the more my body acclimated because honestly I don't seem to get them any more.

[Dale_Ray]

Paris read Beamers comments and see how crazy it looks. Funny thing is it's true. We are nuttier than a hatter in here. If you keep up with the folks in here you will find the ones who are intelligent, compassionate, helpful and then there is the dark humor brigade. I'm a private 3rd class. We make a lot of fun about treatment and what it does to us but it is purely our way of coping and never do we mean any disrespect to others. Well except when they are talking to me. I am on week 19 of 48 and I still get scared and feel alone but then someone here will encourage me or tick me off and the revenge motive is a wonderful thing. Ain't it guys. Anyway your with friends that can make the journey a little more "Doable". We also exchange recipes. Everyone wants my "special brownie" recipe and to know the secret ingredients. I plead the 5th. Good luck to ya. Dale

[Shanaenae]

you from memphis.......
or was that just a comment about memphis munchies..
That is my hometown and i def know about the memphis munchies...oh and about the special brownies.... try some special ice cream, now that is my favorite LOL, okay and the banana bread :)

[Dale_Ray]

Me too! Grew up in Frayser and Millington. Still in Millington. Now Frayser was all about special brownies. Banana bread that sound delicious. Is it seedless? :) How are you doing? So you left the big M for other parts. I'm still crazy about the area. I can get certification on the crazy thing too. Dale

[Mister beagle bailey]

Welcome to the forum,

What's your stats?  Dale is right about the forum  much humor, help and a bit nutty here, but I wouldn't change a thing about this forum.

beagle

[can-do-man]

Welcome, this place is good for the info. You got to watch some of them here they get acting a little crazy at times. But there is a few of us that try to keep them in line. If you haven't already noticed there a nosey bunch here, always wanting to know your stats. Hope you stick around and if you have any questions just ask. Oh BTW i can and will clue you in on the crazy ones. Just ask. Best to ya

[strator]

:)Funny how that shakin of the heads happens around us on tx.
I'm doing pretty good. Tired today, ended up having to dig up a front yard to fix a guy's lampost. Took forever to find the cut wire.
Had one of them little blow outs with my son from the agitation level. Gettin so tired of them brief as they are. I'm not upset with correcting his behaviour or giving him a consequece...just that I did it so LOUDLY. Kid actually thought I was gonna hit him which I don't do. That bothers me. I had warned him when I was making supper, he was just clowning around being a 14 yro old in a good mood..but I was trying to get out a decent meal, hadda go mail letters, the store and hit a meeting...(Calmly)"Richard, look you know how anxious I get when I'm in a rush after workin all day, on these meds, just give it and me a break til I leave." Okay. Couple of taunts fom him during supper, then when I was givin him instructions for the night before heading out and he starts going wacko and makin faces and shrill noises, dismissing me. BadabaBOOM! "ARE YOU NUTS! we just had this conversation ...stop it NOW...But.. "That's it no phone calls to your lady friends, dishes, homework, which I wanna see when I get home. Ya wanna tease the Riba Animal, there's consequences."
You get the pic. When I got home we chatted, smoothed out, think sometimes he's gets confused cause 'it's the meds' and he thinks I don't really mean he has to behave.
Other than that I get to start a little mural in a nursery for my expectant niece this week, rollng hills and cartoon barnyard animals. Tough part is making it for a little kid and not my usual attempt at the Sistine Chapel. But at least I'll be painting.
Stay Well,
don

[Shanaenae]

Oh and yes it is seedless :)

[goldyn]

I was really freaked out about hitting a vien, i was so worried what would happen if the shot went straight threw the blood stream i thought i might fry my brain even more than what it is already, I found out even if you do hit a vien its not going to harm you in anyway that was a relief for me ,ive done a shot and had the blood squirt back into the needle as i was pulling it out, i got to admit it felt a little rushy, but i was fine,welcome  and let us know your stats.

[Fisheress]

So what are the symptons if your red cell count drops?  I had my bloodwork done on Friday, have not got it back yet.  Don't know if having delayed sides or if HGB is dropping.

I feel yuck!

Fisheress

[OnAPrettyPoison]

When your hemoglobin drops, you don't have as much oxygen in your blood stream.  My most prominent symptom was I got winded walking any distance or up and down stairs.  I didn't have a clue it was anemia, I just thought I was supposed to feel that bad.  NY Girl's hgb dropped quick and she passed out in the shower, mine dropped fairly slowly and I just felt winded and fatigued.

[Fisheress]

Started tx at 15, last month was down to 11.5 (29/48)  I am soooo tired just want stay laying down. Legs really hurt, actually not hungry (thats a 1st), chest kinda hurts and it was a chore just to do the few things I did today (left alot undone), did not go to work either.

Maybe I can find out tomorrow, usally it's Thurs following my Bloodwork.

Thanks,
Fisheress

[OnAPrettyPoison]

You are right behind me - I'm 32/48 - and it has gotten, well, bleah!  I think the meds wear you down.  Bought the medicated shampoo to help with hair loss today.  Mine is to my waist and it is shedding something fierce.  I find it stuck to my chair at work, in my waist band, under my arms.  Planning to cut it for Locks of Love this Spring sometime, just hope there is some left!  We shall make it thru this even if it is hard to be a happy camper right now.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

You are right behind me - I'm 32/48 - and it has gotten, well, bleah!  I think the meds wear you down.  Bought the medicated shampoo to help with hair loss today.  Mine is to my waist and it is shedding something fierce.  I find it stuck to my chair at work, in my waist band, under my arms.  Planning to cut it for Locks of Love this Spring sometime, just hope there is some left!  We shall make it thru this even if it is hard to be a happy camper right now.

[strator]

Above thread maxed out and long day in my neighborhood.

iceboy-Haey fella, glad to see you up and about here, thought ya drifted off on one of those icebergs. Hope things smooth out for you, sounds like good news on the 3 month. Stay close here, lot of people were missing you.
Be Well

Cajunlady!!!!!!!!!!Sing it Lady!
Oh, when the bugs go marching out,
Oh, when the bugs go marching out,
Lord how we love to hear that zero,
When the bugs go marching out

And then your smile begins to shine
And then your smile begins to shine
Lord how we love to hear that zero,
When your smile begins to shine

Awesome Lady, that's a definite perk me up around here. Figured you'd kick some A**. My Dad's family is all from Prince Edward Island, I've seen those Acadian bloodlines in action.
Hang in, Smile til your lips hit your ears, then smile again,
Good for you,
don

[cajunlady]

I started giggling and then started singing to the top of my lungs.  Everyone in the house came to see what was up; I just kept singing and laughing.  They just shook their heads and walked away.  Needed That, Thanks alot.  
How are things with you these days. How is that vision.  Mine seemed to clear up a bit these last 2 wks.  Hoping it stays that way.

Oh when the bugs , Go marching out!

WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO

cajun

[Shanaenae]

So i was born in bartlett but my parents moved to germantown when i was five... Went to good ole gtown high.

Yes i had to get out of there, i moved to colorado when i was 19 and have been here for 10 years now. BUT i do love to go back to memphis and visit, i have very close friends and family that still live there. Will be there in June actually during my treatment. small world... gotta love it...

[lionesss]

thighs have more nerve endings and blood vessels then the stomach, so there is more a risk of blood and extra pain (ouch) That is why I stick to the stomach, I just aim between all the red blotches!  good luck next time

[Fisheress]

AHHHHH, so nice of you to donate what you cut off to Locks of Love.  My hair too was prettty long, now that I have lost 60% of it I have cut it just below my shoulders and went a tone darker.  My blonde and grey were not mixing well and I was looking VERY washed out.  It will blonde up again as soon as I can get out back and do some pool time but not before I am finished w/treatment.

It's 2:13am right now, this is the 2nd time I have been up tonight, this time in a sweat.  Changed my PJ's, gonnna go get a big cup of water and turn the TV on in the living room, I give up for  a good nite's sleep..  Have not had too many of these episode's so guess I will just deal with it tonight.

So you think the longer we are on tx the worse the sides will get due to the fact we are putting more into our systems.  SO far up untill now it has not really been that bad.  How about you?  Are ya working? Sleeping at night?  My legs just want to give out on me just strolling around the back yard.  Think I am going to have to take my dog Tiki's water alarm device off her collar and put it on my wrist so someone will hear the alarm in case I fall in the pool!  HEck w/the dog! She can swim and knows how to get out of the pool.  Me, don't think I could kick to the side of the pool right now! LOL

Well off to the couch so I don't wake Rog.

Fisheress
P.S. Oh and don't it feel great though knowing we only have in the teens to finish these meds????

[Paris47]

I am so thankful for all the comments, the funny way expresses themselves, I feel I have found my family. All of you bring to this forum a perceptive that is wonderful and enlightening.
I just don't seem to be able to always post, I live on the East Coast, and the site tells me it's 'full'. I must wait, but it is letting me respond.
My skin is falling apart, I'm glad to know it's part of this, and not something new! As I said I already have bi-polar, and now discovered Kidney Stones, I already had skin problems before, so I get to see my dermotogists tomorrow.
I am 49, F, just found out about the Hep C after donating blood in 2002, and started my tx March 13, my doc wanted spring in the air due to the possible depression side affects. My concern is more skin, isolation, and I manage to work, concentration is HORRIBLE, and when I get home I do nothing but SIT.
thanks again for my new found family.

[jmjm530]

Welcome to the discussion group.

A little blood usually doesn't mean anything, but why don't you let your nurse demonstrate in the office how to do the shot. Also, if you go to the manufacturer's web site (Roache or Shearing) there are detailed instructions both in printed and video format.

I'm only familiar with the Pegasys pre-filled syringe. (The Peg Intron Redipen is a different animal).

With the pre-filled syringe, abreviated instructions are: (1) to pinch a little fat; (2) insert needle at an angle between 45 degrees and 90 degrees (straight in); (3) release the pinch; (4) pull back very slightly on plunger to make sure no blood comes into the barrel; (5) inject the medicine.  Some folks skip step 4 but if you have the dexterity you should give it a try. I found it no problem after about my 8th shot.

Also keep in mind that every injection person/injection site is a little different. As far as using the thigh, I was told to use the outer part, not to inject into the top. But again, here is where your nurse or the video should be able to help you.

Good luck!

-- Jim

[Paris47]

Thanks, got the video. Watched it, my concern was, 'I thought I was doing everything right'. And the video doesn't tell you what to do if you make a mistake, and when it too late, mean it too late, but this site has clarified alot.!!
Also called the nurse & they did return the call, and I am getting set up on a weekly call from them to make sure everything is fine. I did it in the doctors office fine, 2nd shot fine, just that darn 3rd shot scared the **** out of me, the fact that the video doesn't say, this is ok , a little blood it not going to kill you, (an agressive driver will get me first). I now the importance of angles...Angles is everything and pulling the needle out exactly as I put it in...very important , so I'm told.
thanks, everyone here has made me feel so good about myself, the depression I don't think will have a chance to set in, as long as this site is here and you are all here. I hope one day to add some advise to others!

[Paris47]

****- I see is in my post, I didn't say a bad word, I said
'cap' with an 'r'.
sorry, I guess I don't know the rules yet in writing here.
but I am a quick learner. (I HOPE)

[jmjm530]

99 times out of a hundred, a little blood during the injectiion simply means you hit a small capillary or vein going in. This is very normal and happened to me at least 50% of the time. It doesn't effect your shot at all.

Hitting a big vein or artery is more of a problem and that's why at least one manufactuer (Roache) recommends pulling back a little on the plunger a before injecting the meds -- but hitting a major vein or artery is quite rare if you choose your sites carefully,  and that's why a lot of folks don't bother pulling back. My nurse practioner told me not to bother pulling back, my doctor told me to do it. Go figure. LOL.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Yeah, everything scared the cr*p out of me in the beginning as well -- especially the computer generated word sensor :)

-- Jim

[Paris47]

Exactly, just when you think you have something to worry about, something more serious comes along like this "cr*p".