Hi hippies and hippies to be!
feel good today, as I've just finished my last clexane Injection!
I don't mind needles as I've over 40 tattoos, but when it comes to self injecting I didn't think I could do it! ( well stand the pain anyway)
But I've done it!!
Just thought I'd share my news!
Have a good evening all
Brilliant News Linzh
I haid a whoops with my injections as I have one more left over which means somewhere along the way I missed it!
No more pincushion belly.Hurrah for you x
Another step forward on the road to recovery!
Why did you have to, does everyone I have a phobia of needles and I know w won't be able to do it
sue
Sue.
Its a vital thing - to avoid risk of DVT which can kill you. . The injections are really easy to do and if you cant face it then they ask that a relative does it for you. I had started with my daughter doing mine but she hurt a lot more than doing it myself.
Top tip is not to rub the tummy afterwards as it causes more bruising. Its for 4 weeks and I am on my 3rd lot - you will be surprised at how you just get used to it xxx
Is this what all hospitals do, sorry to sound a wimp just know I can't do it myself.
I will be having it done in the royal free in Hampstead any one had it done there.
just something else to be scared about
sue
they gave me injections while I was in hospital but at home they gave me dispersible aspirin for 6 weeks and I had to wear the compression socks. So there are alternatives to the injections.
Sue - Its ok to be afraid but it is the very littlest thing really.
The needle retracts itself and it hardly hurts - not at all like a normal injection.
Some hospitals are moving over to a drug but not all - as its much more expensive.
Read up on the whole thing - it will give you much more reassurance. And if as a result you get a better handle on squeamish things then thats a positive. I took responsibility because I hated it "being done" to me by others as there was a loss of control.
Take care and try to get informed as it will help xxxx
Thank god alternatives are mentioned just had a quick nervous breakdown by the time I get this done I wI'll be a wreck.
sue
Sue
It depends on your hospital and surgeon what you will have.
Its perfectly normal to call his secretary if you want to find out more or explore the options.
I had 38 staples in my size 10 bum afterwards for 2 weeks - so the needles were a temporary prick in comparison to those blighters 24*7.
Just remember you are over 90% likely to have a great result. Your mental and physical state before the operation will really influence your recovery. So take control and try not to be daunted.
Take care
xxx
Hi sue,
it's to prevent dvt, blood thinners, some hospitals prescribe it, some don't, it's really not as bad as you think.
I was expecting the worst, but I kinda got used to it.
linzi x
Hi
I'm still injecting.... but thanks to the good folks on here, with less bruising by holding the needle in for a count of 10 and no rubbing afterwards.....
It all depends on your consultant. Mine wanted me to have injections of Fragmin (Dalteparin) for 30 days and wear TED stockings for 6 weeks.... there is in fact a tablet version of this which my GP suggested instead, but the surgeon is a bit old school and preferred the injections. It's OK once you get going on it - I terrified myself and sort of stabbed it in the first time 
but I've got more gentle with myself as it's gone on!
It is nicer than the stockings. You do get used to it and if you are going to be asked to do it at home you will be taught whilst in hospital. If you cannot manage it will be a relative or the district nurse, you certainly would not be the only person to find they cannot do it.ask at your pre op, or hip school if you have not already been,what method is used by the hospital to prevent DVTs. It can vary from surgeon to surgeon within the same hospital
Glad the holding the needle in for a count of ten is working Neil I have asked quite a few people and nursing staff at my hospital about the pills and they all seem to think that the pills are only available to the private sector. Whether this is all over the country I don't know can only speak about locally. Gillxx
I saw an article that said the price difference was £7 per week for injection compared to £40 per week for pills. So if this is the case I see my bravery in the face of the needle being part of helping the NHS finances 
Hi Maggie
I wonder if we think about asking a district nurse in to come and do something relatively trivial, when there are brave really sick children who need to submit to much more awful regular treatments, then this might put it into context. To be honest I hated the idea of injections first time round - but when I thought about taking a district nurse time up when they have so many other perhaps more essential calls on their time then I just pulled myself up. I am now on my 3rd set in 20 months and it does get easier.
I did the injections quite happily and do agree that money could be better spent, however if someone cannot do the injections themselves, has no friend or relative willing and able, and has been prescribed the treatment, daily attendance at the surgery or the district nurse are the only alternatives. Given the relative immobility and inability to drive of post op hippies attendance seems an impossibility. I have heard of some patients being given the injections by district nurses. My final point is that diabetics have to get used to injecting themselves
Yes thanks so much Gill for your very good advice.
Well my GP was happy to prescribe Dalteparin/Fragmin in either pill or injection form on the NHS.... this is in north London. So maybe there are indeed local variations.
Hey Neil
I had obviously been in the old school of hard knocks, surgically speaking. My post op treatment is 4 weeks of 2 crutches, 2 weeks on 1, 38 ruddy big staples up my thigh and across my bum, 6 weeks of surgical stockings and 4 weeks of injections, sleeping on back for 3 months. Oh and I havent asked but probably no sx ever cos its not British.
After all of this I a revision in the offing for the hip he got wrong first time round 18 months ago. My humour is dark...and resilience tested to destruction 
Hi Sue
It's really easy and not like a normal injection at all. I would much rather have them than wear the Ted stockings which are a real nuisance