Question about shots

VickiP · 05-26-2005, 10:25 PM

I need some advice here...

I had to get post-exposure rabies shots after being possibly exposed to rabies (long story)
I had my third shot on Monday (it is a series of 5 shots on different days). The other shots were on my upper arm, but this one she gave me was where my shoulder and my arm meet... the very upper arm, almost on the shoulder. When I press on the area where she gave me the shot it feels like it is right on the border of some bone and some not bone...
I thought that the shots had to be on the arm! I am nervous that she missed the right area where the shot had to be... or I'm being totally paranoid.
My arm was really sore after the shot. After the other shots my arm was sore, but after this shot it was particularly sore... does this mean the shot went into my muscle like it was supposed to?
I don't know what to do. I can't stop thinking and obsessing over it but that is my personality so what else is knew.
If anyone knows or is a nurse or something I'd appreciate input.
Thanks!

Dayzee · 05-26-2005, 10:35 PM

I'm a nurse and the rule of thumb about giving injections in the arm is that you give it three finger width apart. So what you can do is take three fingers from the top of your arm and measure down. It should be in that general area. As far as why some shots are given in the muscle and some in the fat is the fact to how fast they need to be absorbed in the body. Shots given in the muscle absorb faster since blood circulation is more prevelant, fat is slower since blood circulation isn't as prevelant. Some vaccines if it is given wrong it really doesn't matter, just that you may be a little more sore and have more of a local reaction i.e. swelling, redness, warmth on the site. As far as the rabie I honestly don't know if giving it in the wrong type of tissue matters...I've given them and given them always in the muscle.....so I would just call and ask....if you have any other questions don't hesitate to contact me

VickiP · 05-26-2005, 10:45 PM

Hi,
Thanks for your response! My other two shots were about where you said... three fingers down from the top of the arm, but this one was almost on my shoulder, about where the shoulder and arm meet. I just read that the rabies shots are supposed to be in the upper arm muscle. I didn't have any other reactions except that my arm was wicked sore... more so than the other shots. If it is not given in the muscle then would it still be effective? I don't think I have much fat up there either. Just some bone and skin (or is there definitely fat there?) I am having another one on Monday and I'm going to ask the nurse and show her the location. Ugh.