Lump after injections (Clexane) - help!

I've been injecting with Clexane into my stomach sides (alternately as directed) for 20w now.

I've had bruising since the start, and usually a little lump under the skin that goes away eventually. I've got one now on my left side that's the size of a large grape, is warm to the touch, actually sticks out and really hurts when knocked/touched (and it's right on my waistband helpfully).

Does anyone know if there's anything I can do to break down bruising/lumping at an injection site that bit quicker please? Or am I doomed to walk about in pants for a week? I don't have a consultant appt till next Friday.

Thank you x

Do you think a bit of arnica cream might help?

inject away from that site for a while. I used to do mine about 5 cms away from my tummy button which was also relatively painless.

As an aside, have the scanning department asked you about the bruises on your tummy? I'm sure my sonographer thought Mr S was beating me!

x

Thanks S, I'll get some Arnica cream and see if that helps! I might try and find another site too, but I don't want bruising anywhere else now, certainly!

Can I just check that you're not expelling the bubble before you inject? The bubbles designed to be injected to prevent bruising.

I'm afraid I can't offer much advice re the grape but have you tried other injection sites? It just needs to be given sub cutaneously and not into a muscle so you could do it anywhere really- as long as it's just going into the fatty layer of skin.

I've given it to patients in their leg before now. Alternatively move to Manchester and I'll do them for you- I'm very good apparently and my patients don't bruise x

Thanks K, I simply take the cap off and inject, so no bubble removal or faffing that I'm aware of. The silly thing is that visible bruising is less now that it was, it's just lumping under the skin.

I heard about the thighs but my wariness is because S already has very little lap she can climb on, I don't want to have my thighs off limits because of more bruising...

As I said, it was pretty manageable till the last couple of days, when it's literally turned into a pain...

Hmm, I've got no idea about clexane, but as a long term injecter of insulin, you get told to rotate injection sites plenty so you don't get lumps and whatnot. There's a proper name but I can't think what. Could moving about in terms of where you inject help? As I say, no idea on the guidelines for the drug tho!

Madonna, got no experience of this either, and maybe a silly suggestion but could you put a plaster or something over it so your clothes don't rub directly on it? 

I bruised quite badly too & had to rotate the site.  I  pinched the skin (just under bump) between finger & thumb then injected, that certainly helped. It`s not fun but will be worth it

Thanks all, I guess it's just hunt the new site and wait! x

Definately move sites from where the lump is.  When you inject frequently, the skin you are injecting into will gradually toughen as it becomes scarred, making it harder for the fluid to absorb - move away from the site to give it a rest for a while.

When you do the injection, pinch the skin, put the needle in at a 45degree angle, with the bevel facing upwards (slanted part away from your body).  This will make sure the sharpest part of the needle goes in first and tends to reduce the amount of bruising

I had to inject with Clexane after a major op and was told to do what Sn-itchit has said, I was going to suggest moving sites like everyone else, I would also mention it to the cosultant when you have your next appointment see what they say.