Sore injection sites

[justme53]

Does anyone else experience pain in the stomach area from multiple injections? No redness or inflammation, just more of a tenderness that I didn't have until now. Can you build up scar tissue over time even with rotating? I've tried my thighs as an alternative site, but found it more painful so have stayed with the stomach. I do three injections weekly and have a long way to go yet, so any advice would be appreciated......

[Marcia2202]

I did the first few shots  in the stomach and then I 'discovered' the thighs. I swear, after that I did not ever touch the stomach again. Just be careful not to hit any of the 'larger' veins, as there are much more on the legs. But fortunately they are quite visible on me.

[alagirl]

I rotated between stomach and thighs because I was also taking two shots of procrit every week.  Hard to remember but I think that the stomach sites were more tender.  Unfortunately, it's just one of those things that happens sometimes.  It goes away eventually, and you are doing the right thing to surveil for any signs of infection.

[Bill1954]

I had up to three injections daily of insulin on top of the IFN, but insulin isn’t caustic like interferon… it’s like shooting water. I actually always used my stomach for insulin anyway… come to think of it. Again, I’ve never had site reaction to that. And as FlGuy says, an accomplice can open up a whole new world of fun :o).

Hang in there, and take care—

Bill

[FlGuy]

The Pegasys site shows the target areas in the thighs and abs.  According to my doc and a IX'ing person I know, using the back of the upper arms is also a possible target area. But, the upper arm would require a second party sharpshooter to help out.  Again, not a Pegasys recommended place, but maybe an option.  Talk to your doc if you have a willing accomplice.

[nygirl7]

Yeah sorry but I don't think you are going to build up any scar tissue that would probably be more painful.

I used the outside of my thigh and it was fine except after 72 weeks of three shots a week I was pretty bruised up.  If you want to try you can ice it really good first and numb it maybe that would help a bit somehow?

[justme53]

Hmmm, maybe I'll just tough it out in the stomach....:-D

Seriously tho, I will try to rotate to the thighs more. EOT isn't until May 14, 2010, so there's alot of serious jabbing between now and then.

Did you do multiple injections in your thighs each week?

[Bill1954]

You might really reconsider rotating the thighs into your regime. I treated for 96 consecutive weeks during my last treatment. The first Tx, I used stomach only, the second time, thighs only.

After roughly 70 weeks or so, I developed an area of um… depression in my thighs… almost like the fat had disappeared. In addition, the area was numb/tingly, sort of like neuropathy. I mentioned in to the hepatologist, and she said it might take tome to recover. Sure enough, it took about six months to clear up, but it eventually did.

No long term damage, but a very strange feeling—

Bill