Downside to subcut?

[glowing]

After a trial of three weeks subcut to be administered by a nurse in October I will begin training providing I haven't had a bad reaction. The nurse who is to train me said I would not be allowed to use Emla cream at home as it is not necessary and also masks any potential problems. Many people have said they use the cream to stop the pain of the needles. Can someone please tell me what it's like not to use cream and what other negative points I should be aware of. I'm not particularly bothered by needles but would like to know how sore the tummy gets each week whilst absorbing the antibodies.
Thanks. Glowing

[prickles]

Hi Glowing

My 15 year old daughter has had sub-cut for the last 4 years, she used to use emla but changed to the freezy spray and prefers it.

Whilst she said you can feel the Igg go in its not unpleasant - a bit like a very mild pins and needles. If you do it in the same place it can get uncomfortable after a long time. She doesn't like wearing tight clothes after she has it done because you do end up with a bit of swelling - we laughed in the beginning as when you put little spot plasters on it looks like 'boobs' she also started on a slow speed to get used to it.

She has recently changed to doing it in her legs, first with the butterfly needles but found them restrictive as very short tubing, the last few weeks using the thalasets which again she uses spray but with longer tubing much better than tummy as swelling goes down quicker.

We have never been told not to use the emla, but different nurses and units seem to vary in their protocol.

Hope this helps.

Sue

[glowing]

Hi Sue.
Thank you very much for your help. The thought of a third boob is causing amusement here too.

Glowing

[s162216]

Hi Glowing,

The reason that they don't tend to use Emla cream or other topical anaesthetics is that it makes any problems from the insertion such as hitting a blood vessel, or from the infusion less apparent which of course can cause more problems and the insertion pain is not normally too much.

I insert a new subcutaneous insulin cannula every 2 days which stays in me until I change it and I've never used any cream, spray etc as although at first the pain can be sharp and feel severe it does subside after a while and as you insert more of them you feel it less and less. If you feel slight pain after inserting it, try distracting yourself by reading a book, watching TV etc as the pain will usually reduce after a while if you stop thinking about it. If however the pain doesn't subside or is very severe then the cannula may have not inserted properly or hit a blood vessel, muscle etc which may mean it needs removing. Although I don't personally do this, some others I know use ice to numb the area for bit.

Have a go without anything and give it a few goes, if you can't get along with it discuss it with your nurse etc and hopefully they'll be able to help.

Sam

[alittlebean]

Hi Glowring, I infuse with three subcut needles without any emla/spray. The worst bit is the thought of having to stick the needle in: worse than the needle itself. I'm having a bit of an issue with one site at the mo (will post) but overall its fine. Good luck xx

[glowing]

Thank you Sam and alittlebean. When the time comes I will be having the treatment without any form of numbing and will continue in the same way. I agree it is often the thought of the needle that bothers people. Of course Sam, if you have to do it then you get used to it so I'm sure I'll be okay - fingers crossed.
Glowing

[bamber]

Sorry to be different but I have used Emla for several years in my tummy - as I had intra muscular from age 10 in 1975 and the Iv in early 1990's

I think I have a reason to have an opinion. Only reason I have Emla is the involuntary unpleasant jumping feeling in my tummy of 4 small needles! It takes an hour a to work. I know Sam is different with the insulin but mine are only small needles and not cannula's.

I do have it if I don't want to wait - but after 37 years of therapy- intramuscular very painful for 9 years weekly - then iv three weekly until 1990's.

[s162216]

Actually the needles that I use are pretty small as well, this picture should give a clue to the size. The needle itself is only 6mm (the picture shows an 8mm version) which is the smallest you can get as I only have very limited subcutaneous fat, hence why I am not on SCIG.



I have thought about taking up the offer of trying SCIG but thoughts of subcutaneous cannulas in the stomach or thighs just brings abck painful memories of cannulas falling out, hitting blood vessels and being painful when I sat down. If I had not tried and then got along with putting my insulin cannula around beneath my back I probably would have given up on my insulin pump.

[glowing]

Bamber and Sam. Oh wow you have both been through a lot of very unpleasant experiences. As for myself I'll have to wait and see how it goes. I can't imagine it can be anything like you've had to put up with. So many people seem to suffer or have suffered far more than I do that I am so sorry for you all and of course thankful at the same time. If for any reason it turns out not to be right for me and I have to continue going to the hospital then so be it, I will have at least tried.

I wish you well.
Glowing

[emsy]

I didn't use numbing cream at first as I didn't know it existed. It wasn't really a problem as such but I did feel the scratch. I hate needles and was very anxious about using them so I now use Amitop (on formulary locally as opposed to Emla). If I ever miss the spot I really feel it now! It's funny to see our British responses of not using Numbing cream as being best. I am also on the Facebook group that is mainly Americans and the majority of them use numbing cream and are appalled by the thought of not using them. I guess we are "well hard" this side of the pond lol

[glowing]

Hi Emsy.
The nurse who is coming to train me also expects us to be 'well hard' as when I asked her about the cream she said was amused and told me I won't need it and asked had I seen the size of the needles. I told her I hadn't and she said they're only tiny. I hope I agree when I see them and that they'll feel as tiny as they look.

[liziJ]

Hi Glowing!

I know it's been a while since I've posted but I just popped in for a quick read and felt that I had to send you a short reply.

I've been on sub-cut infusions once a week for 12 years and have used EMLA cream for every one. Once I ran out of EMLA and delayed my infusion for a few days rather than do it without. I don't mean to scare you - the needles are certainly very small, and I'm sure that if EMLA didn't exist I would just have to get used to it. But as Emsy has said, if I ever miss the numb spot then boy do I feel it!

In 12 years none of my healthcare professionals have ever expressed any concerns about EMLA masking problems (and neither have I experienced any problems, in 12 years, that HAVE been masked by EMLA!). Whilst I accept different healthcare teams have different opinions and approaches, I wonder if it is worth asking again about the EMLA, a bit more forcefully?!!

As I've said, I really don't mean to scare you as I'm sure it must be bearable - but the way I see it is why put ourselves through pain that is entirely unnecessary?!!

Lizi x

[glowing]

Thank you Lizi. I will certainly bear that in mind. It will be good to know there is something to fall back on if I find it too uncomfortable, rather than giving up and staying on ivig.

Glowing

[bamber]

My experience is similar to Lizi and I agree with her. I have had Emla for so many years for subcut that I can remember exactly how many. No one has ever expressed any concerns and I have not had any. at first I had a different type of needle - thicker in design and with butterfly insertion - but later moved onto the ones in the picture above. Still got Emla and was considering asking about another type of numbing cream that I have heard takes less time to work than the 1 hour I need now.

[glowing]

Thanks Bamber. I'm going to ask the nurse in view of the 'for Emla' comments if I she will reconsider if I'm going to be more comfortable. Mid October seems a long time away now that I'm waiting.