Sub Q Inj Question

[yrrdead]

I'm pretty new to this but after 25 injections my issue is this;

I have to push what I feel is relatively hard to get through my skin. I feel like I'm missing something obvious. I've tried 90* and 45* with no discernable difference. I'm using BD 6mm 31g syringes. I'd like to get this ironed out before I start having to pin more often. Is this just a matter of faster/harder?

Any assistance is appreciated.

 

[Chucky]

For me, I found anywhere that has stretch marks, I was 200kgs once, is alot harder to push through. I also rotate my stomach, butt and thigh in order to give other areas a rest. Being that you are using an ultra thin gauge and relatively shortener needles then the Terumo ones, the butt and thigh shouldn't be to much of an issue.

 

[MsGizmo]

I'm pretty new to this but after 25 injections my issue is this;

I have to push what I feel is relatively hard to get through my skin. I feel like I'm missing something obvious. I've tried 90* and 45* with no discernable difference. I'm using BD 6mm 31g syringes. I'd like to get this ironed out before I start having to pin more often. Is this just a matter of faster/harder?

Any assistance is appreciated.

Think about switching to using an injection pen instead of syringes. Because in order to fill a syringe you are first stabbing the rubber stopper of a vial and that can dull the needles just a little bit. The business end of a needle for an injection pen is fresh every time.

 

[miss-sanne]

Think about switching to using an injection pen instead of syringes. Because in order to fill a syringe you are first stabbing the rubber stopper of a vial and that can dull the needles just a little bit. The business end of a needle for an injection pen is fresh every time.

Agree, I find it difficult to pin syringe needles after pulling the dose from the vial. Whereas pen needles are easy and smooth.

 

[Jellybelly54]

Those thin gauge needles dull really fast. Switching to a 28-30 gauge will be much better. Also, make sure you “hit the bulls eye” on the vial as it is thinner in the center . The sharper the needle, the easier the entry into the skin. Also, pinch the skin tight between your thumb and index finger. The tighter the skin the easier the skin pop.

 

[Sasquatch]

I think there's a big difference in 30 to 31 GA. I can't even feel the smaller ga.

 

[BioHealthAus]

I use 29-gauge needles with no problems. I also have some pens; they are the easiest.
But with a normal needle, people often try holding the needle on the skin and pushing. Try holding the needle a couple of inches back and giving it a bit of a jab; this is usually easier and less painful. It is a bit of trial and error as to what works best for you. There are many good videos online showing the best way of doing it. 😉

 

[Grogu]

I'm using BD 6mm 31g syringes.

I use the same size needles as you, but from Easy Touch, and I have experienced the same as you. I think part of it (at least for me) is hesitation. When I over think the process and let the needle rest on the surface of my skin before pushing, that's when I notice the resistance the most. If I don't think about it and just jab myself quickly, easy peasy.

 

[Calm Logic]

I use the same size needles as you, but from Easy Touch, and I have experienced the same as you. I think part of it (at least for me) is hesitation. When I over think the process and let the needle rest on the surface of my skin before pushing, that's when I notice the resistance the most. If I don't think about it and just jab myself quickly, easy peasy.

Yeah, the crazy thing is I didn't hesitate as much in the beginning. My first jabs were perfect, quick jabs.

A single cough helps as a distraction for self-administered IM in the thigh. I learned that trick from Nurse Scott on Youtube. I haven't tried it for yet for subq in the abdomen, but I would probably do that sitting since I sit for the IM. Now that I think about it, I was also sitting for my first subq shots.

 

[Chili777]

The cough is a good idea. I haven't done IM yet, but I'm thinking about cerebrolysin so it may happen. For sub q, what helps me is to visualize that the needle contact point is actually 1/2" under my skin, rather than the surface. It goes in with little conscious effort this way