was my 1st pegasys injection ok?!

[GINGERPAL]

I went to the RN today and I did my first pegasys injection.  I am wondering if I may have hit a vein because it bleed when I pulled the needle out.  When I had the needle in me, I did not pull back on the syringe to check for any blood – the nurse agreed that I did not have to, so I don’t know if blood from a vein would have actually shown.
Is it a problem if I did hit a vein??  I did the shot about 3 hours ago, and so far no reaction – I hope that does not mean that I did not inject properly.  When you inject, do you pull back and check for blood.  
Also, does it matter what angle you insert the needle in …do you inject at a 90 degree angle?
Thanks.
ginger

[pjhep80]

i mean, for where you are injecting... the needle is too small to get thru to a vein on your upper thigh and stomach areas...  obviously you could hit a vein if you inject into your arm or something... but no one is doing that i hope.. haha

[SunShineGirlie]

it is a sub q shot which means no veins involved, you're fine.  Congrats on your first shot they will get easier as you feel more comfortable - Sunny

[pjhep80]

you cant hit a vein, the needle is too small

[coeric]

i took my first shot on tuesday.  the doc at the university of colorado said that in the over 2,000 patients they have treated no one has reported hitting a vein.  a hospital nurse showed my how to do the first injection, and she did not tell me to pull back on the plunger to see it i hit a vein. it took several hours before is started to feel the side effects.
hrse- thanks for the tip on letting it warm up.
eric

[pjhep80]

DO NOT pull back on the syringe, you are skin popping not mainlining... lol

[hrsepwrguy]

By the way we are on the same day I'm just 5 wks ahead

[hrsepwrguy]

One thing no one has mentioned is to let your shot warm up to room temp before injecting, I let mine sit out for about an hr before using. I was told this by study docs.

[GINGERPAL]

thanks all.
i survived....i didn't feel too bad last night....I did have a chill though.  Woke up very tired, but I am ok.  
so far so good....ginger

[Mary4now]

stick it in at a slight angle and push the plunger slowly, then pull the needle out.  Slow and easy plunging is the trick I learned the hard way, I wasted some meds going to fast.  Good luck

[dreamcat]

I've given myself two injections so far, one on either side of the belly button.  The first one, which I gave myself at the doctor's office with the nurse watching, went really well -- there's still a red mark and some itching, but no big deal.  The second one, which I gave myself, all by myself, was a little nerve wracking -- I couldn't get the cap off, and started to panic, then finally did, and injected... I forgot to wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle and when I did, it bled a bit.  Within an hour, I had a massive bruise, and by the next day, the bruise was the size of a small apple -- saw the dr. and he said it was okay.... it's still there almost a week later, but it's faded.

I take my third injection on Friday, and asked a nurse friend to come watch me.  

What a journey we're on, eh?

[hrsepwrguy]

No it's not you those suckers are hard to get off. I started pulling the cap before putting it on the shot, I still have to be careful not to stab myself because of force needed to get it off.

[flcyclist]

You likely hit a small capillary which will bleed a little after you pull out.  I usually pinch the skin on my stomach above the waist line and stick the needle in at a 90 degree angle.  I've also read on this forum that leaving the needle in for an extra 10-15 seconds, it help reduce the bleeding.  It does seem to work for me also.  I sometime notice the small pocket of Inf under the skin which dissapates in a very short while.  

You will likely hear differences of opinion on whether to pull back on the syringe to check for blood, but I don't either and was never instructed to.  You did fine.  

[GINGERPAL]

thanks.
i injected into my thigh.  i will rotate with the tummy.
i was sitting here worrying.....but maybe no need to.
i didn't tell you that when i went to pull off the needle cover, it would not come off and instead the needle came off and fell on the floor...the nurse had an extra needle.  i think i will loosen the needle cover first before putting the needle on the syringe so that it won't be so hard to pull off - could have just been me....nervous and fumbling.

[can-do-man]

Like was said no worries, you did fine......Hang in there, wishing you the best.

[hrsepwrguy]

My first shot took about 6 hrs before I felt anything, about 2 hrs on all after that, I don't inject straight in but at a slight angle, not much just a little tilt then I wait 10 sec before pulling it out, less bleeding and no med drip.

[JasmineT]

Not the expert but I was told to inject at a 45 degree angle in order to ensure I get through all the skin layers but not inter muscle.  I was told to do this within 2 inches of the belly button.  No idea if it's the same for other location.  I was told there was not chance of hitting a vein in the two in radias.  You may wish to call your rn just to make sure if you have questions.  I have to admit i have called the pharmacist a couple of times with questions and they have been very responsive and helpful.  

[hrsepwrguy]

Your fine, no worries, it's just like bleeding when you get a scrape no viens involved. Congrats on getting started