Re: bicillin injections and unexpected savings on medications

[Guest guest]

If I could suggest something for you to try...

I think with a heating pad you are creating more blood flow to the

injection site causing more bruising and pain. My mother uses an ice

pack several minutes before she does her injections and it decreases

the blood flow and numbs the injection site. Decreasing pain and

bruising. She swears by it. I never used anything like that but I

would massage it in after the injection which sounds painful but it

felt good to spread the medicine out from one lump under the skin and

walking around helped too. The opposite of what you would think to

do. The Rocephin shots are big and I did 2 in one shot which makes

them a huge 5ml shot with the lidocaine mixed in. Also, sit down to

do the shot in your hip. Stretching the muscle helps a lot! The

thigh is much more painful. Also, slowly inject about 1ml in and wait

several seconds for the lidocaine to take the numbing effect and then

the rest of the shot doesn't hurt. And be careful not to inject too

low down on the hip to avoid hitting nerves, that hurts, and if you do

just pull it out switch with a new needle if you have twist off types

and redo it.

I got my Rocephin free. It saved my life! I commend Roche Labs for

being advocates for us. If there is a plus side to this treatment, I

have been so hardened by needles that getting shots is absolutely

nothing to me now. It also cured my infertility! That is great

about Walgreens, I'm impressed.

Suzanne

On Jun 12, 2010, at 5:28 PM, Natasha Moiseyev wrote:

> Hi everybody --

>

> I just wanted to tell you about two things I found out today.

> First, my lovely Walgreen's pharmacist told me about their

> Walgreen's medication insurance. It was I think $35 or $40 for a

> yearfor all four of us in the family. It saved us about $300 on

> Bicillin injections for my daughter and over $100 on other meds that

> insurance did not cover. Also, my doctor prescribed malarone for my

> daughter, and the insurance was not going to cover it as it is a

> " travel drug " but then he must have called up and explained that it

> is for a current infection because the insurance unbelievably paid

> for it! Woohoo!

>

> Also, I am going to try to get Roche to give us some Rocephin free

> because apparently they do that and it is currently costing us $1400

> per month for one child and we are about to have a second child on

> it (if we get it from ARC Infusions then apparently it will be less

> -- but still about $800 per month each). I just read about this

> program Roche has, and I am going to apply -- nothing to lose.

>

> Finally, about bicillin injections. My daughter had her first one

> in the office last week, and I had to give my first ever injection

> today. Cold sweat. It turned out ok. I wanted to give these

> pieces of information in case any of you have to do this -- first, I

> used emla cream and it seemed to be useless. Second, I put a warm

> heating pad on her hip for about 20 minutes beforehand. Then I gave

> the injection and inadvertently gave it in about 90 seconds instead

> of 3 minutes. I then followed it up with a second heating pad, and

> massaged all around (but not directly on) the injection site. After

> the first injection she had a huge bruise. After this one she says

> it doesn't hurt too much at all. So whatever the combination of

> things that we did, it seemed to work. Someone from a local Lyme

> support group also mentioned giving the shot faster than

> recommended. Not sure why it is supposed to take 3 minutes but that

> seemed to prolong the

> agony.

>

> Anyway, thought I'd dhre.

>

> Take care--

>

> Natasha

>

>

>

> From: darabeth2003 <dara.alewine@...>

> Subject: Re: [ ] doctors

>

> Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 3:20 PM

>

>

>

> Thanks . I can see how that would be that hard part.

>

> Dara

>

>

>

> > >

>

> > > Has anyone seen Dr. C in PA? If you have an experience to share,

>

> > > please email me directly. My son and I have been on her wait

> list for

>

> > > a long time. In the meantime my son has been in tx with Dr. J in

> CT

>

> > > and we have finally started to see some improvement in the last 2

>

> > > months. I wonder if Dr. C could add holistic aspects, or if it is

>

> > > redundant to see them both. I've seen her speak and she seemed so

>

> > > good. I am certain she is more experienced than the LLMD I am

> already

>

> > > seeing, and though I have had improvement, I have the gut feeling

>

> > > something is being missed. But she is very expensive.

>

> > >

>

> > > Thanks,

>

> > > Dara

>

> > >

>

> > >

>

> > > <mailto:dara.alewine@...?subject=doctors>

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

[Guest guest]

how how HOW did you get the Rocephin free from Roche, bcause I looked on heir

site and they don't seem to have any information for free medication any more.

 I really need to checks because the one daughter is on itat $1400 per month and

this bicillin daughter is on her way to a PICC and Rocephin as well.  Ack!  

Thanks fr the suggestion -- sadly, I have another one to do tonight so I'll ty

it.  They ddn't put lidocaine in hers, not sure why.

N

>

> From: darabeth2003 <dara.alewine@...>

> Subject: Re: [ ] doctors

>

> Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 3:20 PM

>

>

>

> Thanks . I can see how that would be that hard part.

>

> Dara

>

>

>

> > >

>

> > > Has anyone seen Dr. C in PA? If you have an experience to share,

>

> > > please email me directly. My son and I have been on her wait 

> list for

>

> > > a long time. In the meantime my son has been in tx with Dr. J in 

> CT

>

> > > and we have finally started to see some improvement in the last 2

>

> > > months. I wonder if Dr. C could add holistic aspects, or if it is

>

> > > redundant to see them both. I've seen her speak and she seemed so

>

> > > good. I am certain she is more experienced than the LLMD I am 

> already

>

> > > seeing, and though I have had improvement, I have the gut feeling

>

> > > something is being missed. But she is very expensive.

>

> > >

>

> > > Thanks,

>

> > > Dara

>

> > >

>

> > >

>

> > > <mailto:dara.alewine@...?subject=doctors>

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

[Guest guest]

They gave me a prescription of injectable lidocaine to add to the

rocephin. Ask the doctor for it. I only used Lidocaine to constitute

it. No water.

I used the Rocephin shots 8 years ago. The doctor gave me the

paperwork to fill out but they came from Roche Labs and I had to

answer questions once or twice about the treatment. I would call them

and ask. They have someone that can answer your questions. They are

constantly doing research with their drugs. That is what I was a part

of. " A research study " not a give away. So it's temporary that they

are given free and they ask about your income and why you can't afford

it, etc. They gave me I think 6 months worth at a time. Of course,

noone's insurance wants to cover it. I wouldn't think they would

ever post something on their website about giving it away. Too many

people would say they had Lymes just to get it. Your doctor should

know about it.

Suzanne

On Jun 15, 2010, at 6:54 PM, Natasha Moiseyev wrote:

> how how HOW did you get the Rocephin free from Roche, bcause I

> looked on heir site and they don't seem to have any information for

> free medication any more. I really need to checks because the one

> daughter is on itat $1400 per month and this bicillin daughter is on

> her way to a PICC and Rocephin as well. Ack!

> Thanks fr the suggestion -- sadly, I have another one to do tonight

> so I'll ty it. They ddn't put lidocaine in hers, not sure why.

> N

>

>

> >

> > From: darabeth2003 <dara.alewine@...>

> > Subject: Re: [ ] doctors

> >

> > Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 3:20 PM

> >

> >

> >

> > Thanks . I can see how that would be that hard part.

> >

> > Dara

> >

> >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > Has anyone seen Dr. C in PA? If you have an experience to share,

> >

> > > > please email me directly. My son and I have been on her wait

> > list for

> >

> > > > a long time. In the meantime my son has been in tx with Dr. J in

> > CT

> >

> > > > and we have finally started to see some improvement in the

> last 2

> >

> > > > months. I wonder if Dr. C could add holistic aspects, or if it

> is

> >

> > > > redundant to see them both. I've seen her speak and she seemed

> so

> >

> > > > good. I am certain she is more experienced than the LLMD I am

> > already

> >

> > > > seeing, and though I have had improvement, I have the gut

> feeling

> >

> > > > something is being missed. But she is very expensive.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > Thanks,

> >

> > > > Dara

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > <mailto:dara.alewine@...?subject=doctors>

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for good info --

By the way, I just tried the cold ice pack befor the injection and I also had

her turn on her side lying down and put the top leg over the bottom leg and turn

the toes inward to relax the muscle.  That seemed to hel,p a lot, as did telling

he to count to 300 with me as fast as she could -- she got to 300 and the shot

was over and it also kept her breathing out instead of tensing and holding her

breath.  So that was a definite improvement!  Thanks again

Natasha

> >

> > From: darabeth2003 <dara.alewine@...>

> > Subject: Re: [ ] doctors

> >

> > Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 3:20 PM

> >

> >

> >

> > Thanks . I can see how that would be that hard part.

> >

> > Dara

> >

> >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > Has anyone seen Dr. C in PA? If you have an experience to share,

> >

> > > > please email me directly. My son and I have been on her wait

> > list for

> >

> > > > a long time. In the meantime my son has been in tx with Dr. J in

> > CT

> >

> > > > and we have finally started to see some improvement in the 

> last 2

> >

> > > > months. I wonder if Dr. C could add holistic aspects, or if it 

> is

> >

> > > > redundant to see them both. I've seen her speak and she seemed 

> so

> >

> > > > good. I am certain she is more experienced than the LLMD I am

> > already

> >

> > > > seeing, and though I have had improvement, I have the gut 

> feeling

> >

> > > > something is being missed. But she is very expensive.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > Thanks,

> >

> > > > Dara

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > <mailto:dara.alewine@...?subject=doctors>

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

[Guest guest]

How big is her shot? I never took that long to get it in. Curious as

to why your doctor wants to take 3 minutes to inject it? That sounds

very frustrating and painful. I just slowly squeezed it in in about

10 seconds or so while sitting down on a stool or the bathroom sink.

Did you try massaging it in? That helped me the most. It was like

applying pressure to a cut but feels more like massaging a sore muscle.

I believe you can add injectable lidocaine to almost any shot. Have

your doctor call it in to the pharmacy. Do you constitute with water?

Suzanne

On Jun 15, 2010, at 9:34 PM, Natasha Moiseyev wrote:

> Thanks for good info --

>

> By the way, I just tried the cold ice pack befor the injection and I

> also had her turn on her side lying down and put the top leg over

> the bottom leg and turn the toes inward to relax the muscle. That

> seemed to hel,p a lot, as did telling he to count to 300 with me as

> fast as she could -- she got to 300 and the shot was over and it

> also kept her breathing out instead of tensing and holding her

> breath. So that was a definite improvement! Thanks again

>

> Natasha

>

>

> > >

> > > From: darabeth2003 <dara.alewine@...>

> > > Subject: Re: [ ] doctors

> > >

> > > Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 3:20 PM

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Thanks . I can see how that would be that hard part.

> > >

> > > Dara

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > > >

> > >

> > > > > Has anyone seen Dr. C in PA? If you have an experience to

> share,

> > >

> > > > > please email me directly. My son and I have been on her wait

> > > list for

> > >

> > > > > a long time. In the meantime my son has been in tx with Dr.

> J in

> > > CT

> > >

> > > > > and we have finally started to see some improvement in the

> > last 2

> > >

> > > > > months. I wonder if Dr. C could add holistic aspects, or if it

> > is

> > >

> > > > > redundant to see them both. I've seen her speak and she seemed

> > so

> > >

> > > > > good. I am certain she is more experienced than the LLMD I am

> > > already

> > >

> > > > > seeing, and though I have had improvement, I have the gut

> > feeling

> > >

> > > > > something is being missed. But she is very expensive.

> > >

> > > > >

> > >

> > > > > Thanks,

> > >

> > > > > Dara

> > >

> > > > >

> > >

> > > > >

> > >

> > > > > <mailto:dara.alewine@...?subject=doctors>

> > >

> > > >

> > >

> > > >

> > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

My friend is on bicillin shots and she puts the emla cream on with

tegaderm over it for 2 hours to numb the area. It helps she says. My

daughter used that to numb the port before accessing. Just thought I

would toss it out there.

Z

[Guest guest]

interesting.  Emla didn't seem to be doing anything but when combined with 20

minutes of ice pack before injection it went pretty painlessly.

From: Faces <faces@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] bicillin injections and unexpected savings on

medications

Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 6:24 AM

 

My friend is on bicillin shots and she puts the emla cream on with

tegaderm over it for 2 hours to numb the area. It helps she says. My

daughter used that to numb the port before accessing. Just thought I

would toss it out there.

Z

[Guest guest]

I've noticed all of the posts about the bicillin injections, etc. and the

lidocaine to add to the injection. I don't fully understand how THAT would help.

Being as the pain is the needle itself going in!

What I used to do really helped. I had a separate prescription for Lidocaine

cream (actually my daughter's). Made a circle with a permanent marker where I

was going to do the shot. Put a big glob of the Lido cream there, covered it

with saran wrap and waited for 2 hours. Then, did the shot. Couldn't even feel

the needle going in. They key was to " QUICKLY " have the needle break the skin

and go in the entire 2 " . Then slowly inject the bicillin. But, it probably took

30-40 seconds. Then massage and bandaid for the spot afterwards. Most times I

hardly got any bruising. This was shots in my hip, my husband gave them to me

and he always held the skin tight.

Hope this helps.

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to agree with what you wrote and reiterate that it must be

2 hours. The prescription usually says 15 to maybe 30 min. but we find

it really takes 2 hours to numb the skin and it must be covered with

saran wrap, or we use tegaderm. My daughter can sleep, move around or

whatever without it slipping off.

On 6/16/2010 3:09 PM, wrote:

>

> I've noticed all of the posts about the bicillin injections, etc. and

> the lidocaine to add to the injection. I don't fully understand how

> THAT would help. Being as the pain is the needle itself going in!

>

> What I used to do really helped. I had a separate prescription for

> Lidocaine cream (actually my daughter's). Made a circle with a

> permanent marker where I was going to do the shot. Put a big glob of

> the Lido cream there, covered it with saran wrap and waited for 2

> hours. Then, did the shot. Couldn't even feel the needle going in.

> They key was to " QUICKLY " have the needle break the skin and go in the

> entire 2 " . Then slowly inject the bicillin. But, it probably took

> 30-40 seconds. Then massage and bandaid for the spot afterwards. Most

> times I hardly got any bruising. This was shots in my hip, my husband

> gave them to me and he always held the skin tight.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, we followed directions initially and then found that if you actually wait a

full 2 hours the area is completely numb!

Also, I began by using the Tegrederm bandages too. But, then I thought of the

saran wrap because the bandages are so expensive and you're only using them for

2 hours! I never had a problem with the saran wrap in a 2 hour period. Make the

squares big enough so that the medicine is in the middle and nowhere near the

edge of the square. You could always put medical tape on if you want to. But, I

liked to keep it simple. Especially with kids. Just wipe it off into the trash

and clean it up with an alcohol wipe.

good luck!

> >

> > I've noticed all of the posts about the bicillin injections, etc. and

> > the lidocaine to add to the injection. I don't fully understand how

> > THAT would help. Being as the pain is the needle itself going in!

> >

> > What I used to do really helped. I had a separate prescription for

> > Lidocaine cream (actually my daughter's). Made a circle with a

> > permanent marker where I was going to do the shot. Put a big glob of

> > the Lido cream there, covered it with saran wrap and waited for 2

> > hours. Then, did the shot. Couldn't even feel the needle going in.

> > They key was to " QUICKLY " have the needle break the skin and go in the

> > entire 2 " . Then slowly inject the bicillin. But, it probably took

> > 30-40 seconds. Then massage and bandaid for the spot afterwards. Most

> > times I hardly got any bruising. This was shots in my hip, my husband

> > gave them to me and he always held the skin tight.

> >

> > Hope this helps.

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>