Difference between revisions of "Manage a Painful Injection"
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| − | Injections can be very painful, but they are also unavoidable at some points in your life. Many people get squeamish at the thought of needles or blood, which can make the experience of getting any type of injection upsetting.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/05/15/avoid-pain-during-injections_n_1515671.html</ref> You may also have some pain at the injection site afterwards, too. But by distracting yourself and relaxing during the injection and then relieving pain at the site afterwards, you can manage any painful injection. | + | Injections can be very painful, but they are also unavoidable at some points in your life. Many people get squeamish at the thought of needles or blood, which can make the experience of getting any type of injection upsetting.<ref name="rf1">http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/05/15/avoid-pain-during-injections_n_1515671.html</ref> You may also have some pain at the injection site afterwards, too. But by distracting yourself and relaxing during the injection and then relieving pain at the site afterwards, you can manage any painful injection. |
[[Category:Injections]] | [[Category:Injections]] | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Distracting and Relaxing Yourself=== | ===Distracting and Relaxing Yourself=== | ||
| − | #Realize that needles are smaller. Most people had injections as children and may have bad feelings associated with them.<ref | + | #Realize that needles are smaller. Most people had injections as children and may have bad feelings associated with them.<ref name="rf1" /> But realizing that needles are now much thinner and cause less pain may help relax you before an injection.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Ask your doctor or the person injecting you about the size of the needle if you like or what type of pain you might feel. In some cases, they may even show you how small it is. | #*Ask your doctor or the person injecting you about the size of the needle if you like or what type of pain you might feel. In some cases, they may even show you how small it is. | ||
| − | #*Recognize that[[Overcome the Fear of Injections| fear of needles or injections]] is very common.<ref | + | #*Recognize that[[Overcome the Fear of Injections| fear of needles or injections]] is very common.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Talk to you doctor. If you are scared, talk to your doctor or health professional before and during the injection. This can help reassure and distract you.<ref>https://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/pain/6835.pdf</ref> | + | #Talk to you doctor. If you are scared, talk to your doctor or health professional before and during the injection. This can help reassure and distract you.<ref name="rf2">https://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/pain/6835.pdf</ref> |
#*Speak with your health professional before the injection about any fears or concerns you have. Ask her to explain how she will do the injection before she starts. | #*Speak with your health professional before the injection about any fears or concerns you have. Ask her to explain how she will do the injection before she starts. | ||
| − | #*Ask your doctor to talk to you while she injects you as a distraction technique. Keep the conversation light and not related to your health. For example, you could tell her about your upcoming vacation and ask her if she has any suggestions for it.<ref | + | #*Ask your doctor to talk to you while she injects you as a distraction technique. Keep the conversation light and not related to your health. For example, you could tell her about your upcoming vacation and ask her if she has any suggestions for it.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #Look away from the injection site. A recent study suggests that looking away while you’re getting an injection may be the best way to distract yourself.<ref | + | #Look away from the injection site. A recent study suggests that looking away while you’re getting an injection may be the best way to distract yourself.<ref name="rf1" /> Focus on an object in the opposite direction of where you are getting the injection. |
#*Look at a picture or other object in the room. | #*Look at a picture or other object in the room. | ||
| − | #*Watch your feet. This can help you take the focus off of your injection site.<ref | + | #*Watch your feet. This can help you take the focus off of your injection site.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Closing your eyes may help you relax and avoid anticipation of the injection. Imagine something else like a warm beach while your eyes are closed. | #*Closing your eyes may help you relax and avoid anticipation of the injection. Imagine something else like a warm beach while your eyes are closed. | ||
| − | #Distract yourself with media. Being able to tune out an upcoming injection may help you relax and distract you. Try different media like music or your tablet.<ref>http://saidsupport.org/distraction-techniques-to-reduce-to-pain-and-anxiety-for-your-child-when-giving-an-injection/</ref> | + | #Distract yourself with media. Being able to tune out an upcoming injection may help you relax and distract you. Try different media like music or your tablet.<ref name="rf3">http://saidsupport.org/distraction-techniques-to-reduce-to-pain-and-anxiety-for-your-child-when-giving-an-injection/</ref> |
| − | #*Tell your health professional you’d like to distract yourself with media you have brought.<ref | + | #*Tell your health professional you’d like to distract yourself with media you have brought.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*Listen to soothing and slow music.<ref | + | #*Listen to soothing and slow music.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*Watch a show or movie you enjoy.<ref | + | #*Watch a show or movie you enjoy.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #*Watch a funny video before and during your injection to relax you. This may help you associate shots with humor instead of pain.<ref | + | #*Watch a funny video before and during your injection to relax you. This may help you associate shots with humor instead of pain.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#Use relaxation techniques. Relaxing your entire body can help you get through an injection. From breathing exercises to medication, try different relaxation techniques before and during an injection. | #Use relaxation techniques. Relaxing your entire body can help you get through an injection. From breathing exercises to medication, try different relaxation techniques before and during an injection. | ||
| − | #*Squeeze a stress ball or other type of sensory object with the hand opposite your injection arm.<ref | + | #*Squeeze a stress ball or other type of sensory object with the hand opposite your injection arm.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#*Breathe slowly and deeply. Inhale deeply for four seconds and then exhale for the same amount of time. This type of rhythmic breathing, sometimes called pranayama, can relax you and may also distract you. | #*Breathe slowly and deeply. Inhale deeply for four seconds and then exhale for the same amount of time. This type of rhythmic breathing, sometimes called pranayama, can relax you and may also distract you. | ||
| − | #*Double up on your relaxation techniques if necessary.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2936076/</ref> | + | #*Double up on your relaxation techniques if necessary.<ref name="rf4">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2936076/</ref> |
#*Tense and release muscle groups starting with your toes and ending at your forehead. Tense muscle groups for about 10 seconds and then give them 10 seconds to release. Take a deep breath in between groups to further relax you. | #*Tense and release muscle groups starting with your toes and ending at your forehead. Tense muscle groups for about 10 seconds and then give them 10 seconds to release. Take a deep breath in between groups to further relax you. | ||
#*Take an anti-anxiety medication to relax you. The injection is very quick, and likely the anxiety medication will far exceed the medication, so only use this if your fear or nervousness is extreme. Make sure to let the doctor know that you took the medication in case there are any contraindications with the injection and make sure you have someone to drive you home afterwards. | #*Take an anti-anxiety medication to relax you. The injection is very quick, and likely the anxiety medication will far exceed the medication, so only use this if your fear or nervousness is extreme. Make sure to let the doctor know that you took the medication in case there are any contraindications with the injection and make sure you have someone to drive you home afterwards. | ||
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#*Stick to the script as much as you can during the procedure. Take your notes with you if that helps. | #*Stick to the script as much as you can during the procedure. Take your notes with you if that helps. | ||
#Frame the injection in simple terms. Framing and guided imagery are behavioral techniques that can shape how you think and feel about specific situations by making them seem commonplace or banal. Use either technique to help you manage your injection appointment. | #Frame the injection in simple terms. Framing and guided imagery are behavioral techniques that can shape how you think and feel about specific situations by making them seem commonplace or banal. Use either technique to help you manage your injection appointment. | ||
| − | #*Reframe the injection as “this is a quick poke and feels like a baby bee sting.”<ref | + | #*Reframe the injection as “this is a quick poke and feels like a baby bee sting.”<ref name="rf2" /> |
#*Guide yourself with different imagery during the injection. For example, picture yourself on the top of a mountain or on a warm beach. | #*Guide yourself with different imagery during the injection. For example, picture yourself on the top of a mountain or on a warm beach. | ||
#*Work with manageable units to manage the injection. For example, break it up into greeting the doctor, asking questions, distracting yourself during the procedure, and then happily heading home. | #*Work with manageable units to manage the injection. For example, break it up into greeting the doctor, asking questions, distracting yourself during the procedure, and then happily heading home. | ||
| − | #Take someone to support you. Ask a friend or family member to come to your injection appointment with you. She can talk as a way of calming and distracting you.<ref> https://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/pain/6835.pdf</ref> | + | #Take someone to support you. Ask a friend or family member to come to your injection appointment with you. She can talk as a way of calming and distracting you.<ref name="rf5"> https://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/pain/6835.pdf</ref> |
#*Ask your health professional if your support person can come with you into the procedure room. | #*Ask your health professional if your support person can come with you into the procedure room. | ||
#*Sit across from your support person. Hold her hand if that helps you relax. | #*Sit across from your support person. Hold her hand if that helps you relax. | ||
#*Talk to your support person about something completely unrelated like dinner or a movie you want to see. | #*Talk to your support person about something completely unrelated like dinner or a movie you want to see. | ||
===Relieving Pain at the Injection Site=== | ===Relieving Pain at the Injection Site=== | ||
| − | #Watch for injection site reactions. It’s not uncommon to have some pain or discomfort at an injection site for a few hours or days.<ref>http://www.sw.org/HealthLibrary?page=Post-Injection%20Inflammatory%20Reaction</ref> Looking for signs of post-injection inflammatory reactions can help you figure out the best way to relieve your pain or if you need to see your doctor. Common symptoms are:<ref | + | #Watch for injection site reactions. It’s not uncommon to have some pain or discomfort at an injection site for a few hours or days.<ref name="rf6">http://www.sw.org/HealthLibrary?page=Post-Injection%20Inflammatory%20Reaction</ref> Looking for signs of post-injection inflammatory reactions can help you figure out the best way to relieve your pain or if you need to see your doctor. Common symptoms are:<ref name="rf6" /> |
#*Itching | #*Itching | ||
#*Redness radiating from the injection site | #*Redness radiating from the injection site | ||
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#*Tenderness | #*Tenderness | ||
#*Pain | #*Pain | ||
| − | #Apply ice therapy. Put an ice or cold pack over the injection site. This can relieve itching, swelling, and pain by constricting blood flow and cooling your skin.<ref | + | #Apply ice therapy. Put an ice or cold pack over the injection site. This can relieve itching, swelling, and pain by constricting blood flow and cooling your skin.<ref name="rf6" /> |
| − | #*Leave the ice on the site for 15 – 20 minutes.<ref | + | #*Leave the ice on the site for 15 – 20 minutes.<ref name="rf6" /> Do this three to four times per day until the pain eases.<ref name="rf6" /> |
#*Use a bag of frozen vegetables if you don’t have an ice pack. | #*Use a bag of frozen vegetables if you don’t have an ice pack. | ||
| − | #*Put something like a towel between your skin and the ice or cold pack to minimize the risk of frostbite.<ref | + | #*Put something like a towel between your skin and the ice or cold pack to minimize the risk of frostbite.<ref name="rf6" /> |
| − | #*Put a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the injection site if you don’t want to use ice.<ref> http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015.pdf</ref> | + | #*Put a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the injection site if you don’t want to use ice.<ref name="rf7"> http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015.pdf</ref> |
| − | #*Avoid applying heat to your injection site. This can increase swelling as it brings more blood to infected area.<ref> http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/Joint-Injections.aspx</ref> | + | #*Avoid applying heat to your injection site. This can increase swelling as it brings more blood to infected area.<ref name="rf8"> http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/Joint-Injections.aspx</ref> |
| − | #Take pain medication. Over-the-counter medications can relieve pain and swelling.<ref> http://www.sw.org/HealthLibrary?page=Post-Injection%20Inflammatory%20Reaction</ref> Consider taking these medications if you have a lot of pain or inflammation at the injection site. | + | #Take pain medication. Over-the-counter medications can relieve pain and swelling.<ref name="rf9"> http://www.sw.org/HealthLibrary?page=Post-Injection%20Inflammatory%20Reaction</ref> Consider taking these medications if you have a lot of pain or inflammation at the injection site. |
| − | #*Take pain relievers including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).<ref>http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015.pdf</ref> | + | #*Take pain relievers including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).<ref name="rf10">http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015.pdf</ref> |
| − | #*Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers under 18, as it increases the risk for Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.<ref | + | #*Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers under 18, as it increases the risk for Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.<ref name="rf6" /> |
| − | #*Minimize swelling with NSAIDs (non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.<ref | + | #*Minimize swelling with NSAIDs (non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.<ref name="rf6" /> |
| − | #Give the site some rest. Avoid taxing the area where you had an injection, especially if it was a cortisone shot.<ref> http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cortisone-shots/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20014455</ref> This can give the injection site time to heal and may prevent further pain or discomfort.<ref | + | #Give the site some rest. Avoid taxing the area where you had an injection, especially if it was a cortisone shot.<ref name="rf11"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cortisone-shots/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20014455</ref> This can give the injection site time to heal and may prevent further pain or discomfort.<ref name="rf11" /> |
#*Keep heavy lifting to a minimum if you got a shot in the arm. | #*Keep heavy lifting to a minimum if you got a shot in the arm. | ||
| − | #*Stay off of your feet if you got an injection on your leg.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cortisone-shots/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20014455</ref> | + | #*Stay off of your feet if you got an injection on your leg.<ref name="rf12">http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cortisone-shots/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20014455</ref> |
#*If you have received a steroid shot, avoid heat for 24 hours to ensure the injection will have maximum response. | #*If you have received a steroid shot, avoid heat for 24 hours to ensure the injection will have maximum response. | ||
| − | #Seek medical attention for allergic reactions or infection. In some cases, injections can cause allergic reactions or prolonged pain. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms or are unsure about your medication:<ref | + | #Seek medical attention for allergic reactions or infection. In some cases, injections can cause allergic reactions or prolonged pain. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms or are unsure about your medication:<ref name="rf9" /> |
#*Worsening pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or itching | #*Worsening pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or itching | ||
#*Fever | #*Fever | ||
