Shot in bottom cheek while thermometer still in the bum

My pediatrician often gave me shots like vaccinations while the thermometer was still sticking in my bum and registering. Do you have any similar experiences?

Oh yes many times in play scenario.

I have had to be positioned for a RT and endured it before the shot was administered. Often I would be told that a shot was required and learned inevitably that it would be given in my buttock. Sometimes this was well established even before I had to prepare to get a temp taken. At other times, it was a surprise and still made me embarrassed and upset. The shot was given pretty soon after my temperature was taken and recorded. A most helpless feeling.

No, the shots came at the end of the exam, RT was done before the exam.

Yes, on a number of occasions while a thermometer was in my rectum. I had shots that were given in my buttocks.

I kind of have very vague memories of that, when the doctor made house calls. My ass was traumatized during my toddler years.

TBH I don't see why they would. The more they do (especially injections) the more likely the patient will squirm, especially if they are young, and the greater the risk of a bowel perforation and/or broken thermometer.

For me, rectal temps were taken after other vitals were taken at the beginning of the exam by the nurse. Any shots were given at the end. Even if I was only there for a shot, the thermometer was pulled out and read before the shot was given. I think that it would kind of defeat the purpose to give the shot before the temperature is known. There were times, though, where the thermometer came out and I was told to stay on my tummy with undies down for the shot.

TBH I don't see why they would. The more they do (especially injections) the more likely the patient will squirm, especially if they are young, and the greater the risk of a bowel perforation and/or broken thermometer.

@moliere,

YES!!!!!!!! Thank you for posting the first and likely most important issue I thought of as soon as I read this OP’s question in #1. Retired US MD here and my dear departed mother also happened to be a stellar RN who had learned and perfected her injection technique to make them virtually painless. Even with her injection technique, there’s still some finite nonzero chance that some part of the injection might turn out to be painful or surprising to the recipient. Even if you used a non-glass digital thermometer, it’s tip could injure or perforate your bowel. If you were using an old style glass thermometer like my mother used on us for decades in the 1950’s-‘70’s, you’re risking having a broken piece of glass inserted in your rectum now in many very sharp pieces inside and out. Dilating your anus to somehow pick out or wash out the broken glass would NOT be fun, and being completely sure that there was no broken glass left imbedded in your rectal mucosa would be next to impossible. I cant imagine anyone justifying why it was important to do an injection before the thermometer is removed.

Eric

I never got shots while the thermometer was in my bottom.

I never heard of this happening to anyone. Actually, it makes no sense. If the thermometer is registering, how would they know you would need the shot. Maybe there was no fever. Something doesn’t sound right.

Not in real life but yes, in play scenarios I have been subjected to it a few times. The thermometer was simultaneously twirled while the shot was being administered.

It happened to me sometimes while I was in the hospital as a young kid. I was getting injections of steroids and antibiotics around the clockvand at times when they were due it often coincided with when when temperature checks were also due.

A vivid fantasy is being attended to by a nurse and her trainee, one on each side as I lay on the exam table. The trainee inserts the thermometer as the nurse prepares my two (or more) shots. The thermometer is dithered and twirled throughout. The trainee continues with her manipulation of the thermometer as the nurse gives me the first shot, giving the trainee instruction during the process. The nurse hands the trainee the second syringe and takes over the actions on the thermometer as the trainee slowly and methodically administered the second injection after which the nurse critiques her technique. Finally, the thermometer is removed and each care provider gives their respective injection site a sharp swat.

I remember getting a shot in the rump at our pediatrician's right in the middle of a rectal temp. The sting of the needle made me cry and I associated that sting with the thermometer. I was five when this happened, and it traumatized me so much that I hoped I never had to go through that again.

Yes, I remember the nurse taking my temperature rectally, and giving me a shot at the same time.

I never heard of this happening to anyone. Actually, it makes no sense. If the thermometer is registering, how would they know you would need the shot. Maybe there was no fever. Something doesn’t sound right.

Happened to me before getting vaccinations. Thermometer was still in, the doc only saw the value but didn't took it out, he said something like registering time has not been finished, so he didn't want to leave time. Next point, I had to lay still during measuring so he could prepare the syringes and my bum cheeks meanwhile

I don't remember ever getting my rectal temperature taken and a shot at the exact same time. Usually the nurse had already prepared the thermometer and lube, along with any shots I had due. She had it ready, out on the counter for me to see. As if to taunt me with the discomfort or pain I had coming. I never minded her sticking thermometers up my butt as much. A rectal temperature was almost mandatory until I turned 5 years old. It's those loaded syringes that I dreaded seeing. I could see the needle inside the protective cap and it looked like it was a mile long, or so I thought. I was a bundle of nerves until the ordeal was over. When the nurse put me in the diaper position and stuck the thermometer up my butt, I was already crying for fear of the hard pinch and sting I'd soon feel from each of those shots. Most of the shots I got in each thigh or my arm, and oh my did those sting something terrible. The only shot in the butt she gave me came once when I was sick. I vividly remember having my shorts and underwear pulled down, then she put me across the blue scrubs of her lap. I studied the black and off white tiles on the floor….. then a terrible stinging and burning sensation on my upper left butt cheek. I screamed so loud. It just kept burning. She put a band aid on it and massaged my butt for a couple minutes as I bawled my eyes out. Mom said I kept crying all the way home. I remember being really sore the next day. I think it was penicillin or something, but it sure hurt.

This was my pediatrician’s standard procedure during house calls. Have me on my stomach, bottoms around my ankles, with a thermometer sticking out of my butt while he prepared the shot. He would part my cheeks first to read the mercury before jabbing in the needle. Out came the thermometer while I squealed in pain. It was the last thing he did during the visit.

Office visits were different. His nurse took my temperature before he entered the exam room. Shots were administered by pulling down my underpants while I complained.

Standard practice for my patients.

The thermometer inside the butt (or actually something bigger) helps to keep the muscles more relaxed…

Oh yes the rectal thermometer is in the butt any time when the injections is beginning in play scenario. It helps for relaxation. In real life, that don't happened

Doctors need to save time but it is new to me that their treatment is in parallel …

For the time while the thermometer is inserted and you’re on your stomach, the injections can be given.

Only with my respected play doctor. She did it a few times. Amazing experience.

Yes i have had it, in many play sessions. It's really nice…. but i play just with injections without needls.

I’ve had it done on two occasions. The thermometers were glass mercury, registering time 3-4 minutes, more than enough for two injections to be administered. A jab in the buttocks and medicine injected usually is over in a few seconds.

Yes. I would be turned over on the exam table and have tge doctor insert the thermo in my rectum. While I was in position he would tell my mom that I would be getting whatever shots I needed while in place.

Never had this situation. I got only one shot in bottom, that was a tetanus in the hospital.

Dont remember that we had a special pediatrician where we went to, I think just our ordinary doc office. and there they didnt take temp there, but made the treatments, and also shots, yes.

Yes very common practice with nurses on ward often stuck you with needle wile taking rectal temps