I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: balapandian on September 03, 2012, 07:38:57 AM

Title: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: balapandian on September 03, 2012, 07:38:57 AM
where do you inject the erythropoietin injection?  shoulder, thighs, or stomach near navel?
which site gives the best absorption?
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: chiawana on September 03, 2012, 07:42:19 AM
We actually give it IV, before the heparin (we do home hemo).
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: justme15 on September 03, 2012, 10:11:37 AM
I inject in my abdomen.  Not really close to the navel, but wherever I can grab a chunk of fat and inject.  I was getting injections in my shoulder, but I find abdominal injections are much less painful.  I'm not sure about whether one area absorbs better than the other,
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: billybags on September 03, 2012, 11:19:10 AM
My husband does the same as  justme15   grab some flab and jab, does not hurt.
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: bevvy5 on September 03, 2012, 06:02:54 PM
Yep, Greg did it that way too when on PD.  Now it's through the machine at home on hemo.
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: MaryD on September 03, 2012, 08:39:01 PM
I use my thigh.
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: KarenInWA on September 03, 2012, 08:45:48 PM
I've always heard that an epo shot is going to be more potent if given intra-muscularly vs in the blood line. They were always big on this at my clinic, and even encouraged patients to stop a nurse if s/he was going to inject it into the line. The way I look at is, the drug is so danged expensive, I *want* to get it the most effective way possible!

I am no longer on D anymore, so my only choice is to get it in the arm or the stomach. I am 9 mos post-tx and am having issues with HGB and WBC.  That means I may get to have TWO different shots!!!  :urcrazy;

KarenInWA
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: cassandra on September 04, 2012, 07:50:21 AM
I give mine in any flab of my body, so arm-flab, upper leg-flap, belly-flab etc. If you warm the syringe up in your hand before you feel nothing. And I used 3x as much Epo in my bloodlines, than subcutaneous (under the skin, not in the muscle).

good luck Cas
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: KAF454 on September 04, 2012, 08:30:16 AM
Anyplace you can pinch up a little fat. My pd nurse tells me it absorbs really well when injected in belly fat. I inject in the early morning so I don't risk dialyzing it out of my system overnight.
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: Darthvadar on September 04, 2012, 12:32:35 PM
In the abdomen for Mum...

As she says 'Puncturing the spare tyre'.....

Darth....
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: jeannea on September 04, 2012, 02:44:28 PM
I let them put it in the upper arm. If you are even considering PD, the advice I was given was to NOT allow any stomach injections. When I'm in the hospital and they want to do heparin injections, I have them use my thigh or upper butt.
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: Joe on September 04, 2012, 05:31:35 PM
My PD team has me injecting EPO in the fat roll around my waist. Just grab the flab and jab, as has been shared.
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: MaryD on September 04, 2012, 07:02:31 PM
I have trouble using the flab around my stomach because I wear transitional lenses and I can't focus on my stomach unless I slide my glasses onto the end of my nose.  If they fall off I have trouble finding them again - and I'm scared I'll stand on them.  Oh dear - the joys of getting old!
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: lmunchkin on September 04, 2012, 07:51:23 PM
In his belly.

lmunchkin
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: Kayholio on September 07, 2012, 07:11:29 PM
Not to give TMI or anything, but I have a little bit of flab right below my belly button, so I just grab that and poke the needle in. :)
Title: Re: Erythropoietin Injection Site
Post by: KarenInWA on September 07, 2012, 09:52:15 PM
I give mine in any flab of my body, so arm-flab, upper leg-flap, belly-flab etc. If you warm the syringe up in your hand before you feel nothing. And I used 3x as much Epo in my bloodlines, than subcutaneous (under the skin, not in the muscle).

good luck Cas

Thank you for correcting me, Cas! I was writing my post rather quickly, and couldn't think of the correct verbiage. Yes, sub-q or "in the flab" is where it's at!

KarenInWA