Is Getting A Shot In Your Leg Really That Dangerous?, for paras & quads Options

[Beautiful]

This is mostly directed at complete injuries, for those who can't walk or feel below their injury level.

Whenever I have gotten a shot, it has been in the front of my leg, high up on my thigh. I never thought anything was wrong with it, and doctors never had an issue with it. I have read a couple things that have said that it is actually dangerous, because you can't move it. Like when you get a shot in your arm, you use it, so it is getting worked out and everything, but with a leg, it has higher risks, because can't walk, and can't feel it, so you won't know if anything is wrong.

I am paralyzed from the waist down, but can feel the tops of my thighs, and I can move my hips. But everything that I can feel, is a bit more sensitive. Like when someone scratches me, it hurts me more than it hurts my friends, and I have a high pain tolerance! When I had to get blood drawn, it didn't hurt that bad, but right after the needle was pulled out, I was already bruising. When I got into the van to go home, I had a huge bruise that hurt for several days.

So if I get a shot, I don't want my arm to hurt, because obviously I need to use my arms! So is getting a shot in your leg really that dangerous? I could kind of see how it could be dangerous if you had a higher up injury level, and you didn't notice a reaction or anything, but since my injury level is low, and I can feel somewhat, doesn't that make it okay?

Yes, if you wanted to know, I am a HUGE baby when it comes to needles, lol. And yes, I am trying to see if I can get my flu shot in my leg. I got it four years ago in my leg, but since then I have changed doctors

[dangerousdave]

Depends on the size of the projectile

[wheeliebear75]

I would think that so long as you sort of massaged the area where it was given to sort of disperse it, than it shouldn't be any more dangerous......but I'm no Dr. or nurse. As far as the danger from not feeling it I would think that would be in relation to hitting a nerve or going to far in (many of us have scrawny legs)........but there again......I don't have any sort of medical training. Just my 2 cents......but if they're going to give me a shot that will make the area sore than I ask them if I can take it in the leg......sore legs I'm used to.....sore arms THAT can be a problem.

[Trinity]

I can't see that it would be any problem, infact if you are going to have the h1n1 shot then I personally advise getting it in a place where you have no sensation coz it is sore! (not at the time but 2 days later and my arm still hurts!)

[Beautiful]

Exactly. I am active, and that would help obviously with keeping my leg moving so it could "disperse" so to speak, and I know that doctors say to "keep moving it!" so it won't be as sore, but I really don't want to have a sore arm because I NEED my arms to be okay, lol. I would also check to make sure the area was doing fine. Being paralyzed, I can sometimes get a little paranoid with things I can't feel, so I will check to make sure my feet are okay and aren't squished in my shoes, or I will make sure my pants are sitting right and don't have bumps in them so they won't cause pressure sores, etc. So checking the area where I get a shot at wouldn't be like a hassle or anything, because I am used to checking myself over to make sure everything is okay.

This post has been edited by Beautiful: Nov 5 2009, 11:03 AM

[greybeard]

Scribbs would jump at the chance of massaging your leg for you Beautiful. Just holla if you need help and he'll come running. .........well ..........not exactly running, but you know what I mean. (AND he's totally harmless, wink, wink!)

[Beautiful]

Thanks for the info, sir!

[LuckyinKentucky]

I always ask em to shoot me below the line. Haven't had a problem yet or a healthcare professional tell me not to.

[Ratticis]

Kinda reminds me of my mom pushing my feet into the wall and going "you can't feel it anyway!" Um, yes I can, and ya, I can't tell when you break my toes!

[E-DOG]

Kinda reminds me of my mom pushing my feet into the wall and going "you can't feel it anyway!" Um, yes I can, and ya, I can't tell when you break my toes!

wHY DID YOUR MOM TREAT YOU SO BAD?

[Beautiful]

Thanks everyone!!!

[wheeliebear75]

Oh well......my Mom dumped me out on some trolley tracks. I have never done a faster army crawl than I did that night......all I could think about was that at any second that trolley was going to come along. No trolley & as I was crawling 2 sailors came & put me back in my chair.....but I can't be too upset with MY Mom......she was upset with herself enough for the both of us. Took HER a good 5 minutes to stop crying.

Beauty......the fact that you are so vigilant isn't a bad thing at all......in fact it's a GREAT thing. That will be what keeps you from getting a the majority of sores & any sores you do get should be easier to treat/heal......it's when people get the "Oh well if it doesn't hurt why worry about it" attitude that they end up with bad sores & stuff.

[Hikkakaru]

I have read that certain injectable medications are dangerous to paras because they increase clotting factors and can lead to a deep vein thrombosis in inactive individuals (the paralyzed), however I can't find the article right now and am dead tired. When I wake I will look for the article for you.

That said, I think your safe.

[Ratticis]

My mom did something simaler to me, then claimed it was my fault. Apparently I should have stood up instead of just telling her to stop pushing