Anyone ever had penicillin shots?

I was wondering if anyone here has actually dealt with this before? Like, what are the comparisons really like... I'm currently stuck taking these because of some massive, nasty case of strep throat, and honestly, I'm pretty freaked out about it...
Please help...

Long time. Honestly, shots are way better than pills—oral penicillin absolutely wrecks my stomach. If I remember right, the injection stings like crazy, and you have to hang out at the clinic for a bit afterward just in case an allergic reaction kicks in. They used to rotate my sites every single day (for 😢 three weeks total); still ended up with bruises on both sides, though—couldn't even sleep on my side because of the soreness.

Again, if I ever need heavy-duty penicillin, I’m taking the needle over the pills any day.

I’m definitely a pills-only kind of person. Just looking at a needle makes me break out in a sweat...

Regarding shots in the butt, besides the fact that penicillin can be a real issue if you have an allergy, the main risk is a nurse accidentally hitting the sciatic nerve. But honestly, if they know what they're doing, it won't happen.
You could also end up being unable to sit comfortably for a few days if you get some nasty bruising 😁

I don't think I'll ever get over what happened back then...😁
I was maybe five or six years old when I caught this nasty ear infection, if I remember correctly. They were cleaning my ears out every single day for about ten days straight... I was basically white-knuckling the side of the exam table, gripping it so hard I probably gave three doctors a workout😁 , and my head felt like it was spinning... It was just miserable, honestly. It burned like hell—it was absolutely awful... Everyone over at Johnson's could hear me screaming, those jerks in the white coats...😁 😉

I’ve definitely been there myself... screaming, making a huge scene, throwing a fit... But honestly, I just don't have the energy to go through that kind of drama anymore.

I still remember this one time when they were trying to give me an IV... I made such a massive spectacle out of it that my husband wanted to crawl into a hole and die from pure embarrassment.

And then there was that one time a nurse was giving me an IV and she just kept missing... over and over again... and then she actually started twisting the needle while it was still in my arm! I wouldn't wish that nightmare on anyone; I was practically sweating tears.

I can't quite recall all the times I had shots in the backside, but from what I remember, I couldn't sit down comfortably for days.

Now, I just stick to pills... I'll do just about anything to avoid a needle if I can help it.

It’s finally over!
My doctor was actually pretty considerate about it—he just put me back on my pills. They are massive, honestly, like little boulders... but hey, anything is better than dealing with shots!
I was practically dying of laughter when the nurse in the office asked me if I preferred taking them orally rather than getting an injection 😁
Taylor Swift for the advice!

So, I’m curious—has anyone here actually dealt with penicillin shots before? Apparently, I’m about to start getting them, and word on the street is they absolutely sting like crazy. Anyone have any tips or just want to vent about how much they suck? Thanks!😕

Is there any nurse hanging out in here right now?

It’s not even that it hurts, really... it’s more like this intense, stinging burn.
My nurse explained that the burning sensation comes from the liquid they use to dilute the penicillin.
How much it stings basically depends on whether they inject it fast or slow. If they just dump the whole thing in at once, you're gonna feel it—it's brutal. I honestly couldn't move my entire leg; I was practically dragging it behind me. And get this, right before all that, the nurse gave me a smack on the backside, and honestly, I still have no clue why 😕 she hit me there and then went straight for the needle. 😂
And don't even get me started on the bruising on my butt... 😁😁😁

The main thing is to keep some cold compresses on it; that should take the edge off.
You'll get through it, though. It's manageable. 😍

Look, I’ve worked as a nurse, so let me give you the straight talk on this. The penicillin itself might sting quite a bit, but that sensation is fleeting. As for the pain, the real culprit is usually your own body; if your glute muscle is tensed up or cramping while you’re waiting for the needle, you’re going to feel it much more intensely. You really need to consciously relax that muscle and try to keep it limp when you feel the puncture coming. It’s easier said than done, of course, because the muscle tends to contract instinctively when it senses the needle, but if you can manage to stay relaxed, the discomfort will be significantly lessened. Back when I was in training, we were taught to massage the area immediately after the injection. The idea was that once the cotton ball is in place, you should press down and massage it using a circular motion to help distribute the medication. However, I remember one instance when I was out at a clinic with my little girl for her vaccinations, and they actually told me not to massage it. I honestly can't say for sure if that's because she was receiving a vaccine rather than penicillin, or if medical protocols have simply shifted over the years—I truly don't know. I'm giving you the technique we were taught, but you should definitely double-check with the professionals on-site at your appointment.

Man, those penicillin shots absolutely sting like crazy. Is there any way to make them hurt less, even just a little bit, while they're actually doing it?

I was already an adult by then. It wasn't some terrifying ordeal or anything, though I’ll admit the heat from the needle was pretty intense. Honestly? I don't have any issue with needles themselves—that's never been my thing to fear. My real anxiety comes from the possibility of an allergic reaction.

Nicole Lee4 said:I was already an adult by then. It wasn't just bad; it was hell. But frankly, needles don't phase me—it’s the allergic reactions I actually dread.

🙂 I find myself paralyzed with anxiety whenever I’m drinking or receiving any kind of medication, too. Though, I suppose that’s just the occupational hazard talking; being a nurse means you’re all too aware of how quickly things can go south. Professional deformation, I guess.🤷