Malaysian Hospital Series 0001

Malaysian hospital series 1 - the IM injection


When I've been sent to the A&E (Accident & Emergency) department, again that morning, this early April, as usual they transport me to the critical/less critical observation room using the stretcher. Even though I am about in an unconscious condition, but I try to focus on their conversation in order to get the updates. The doctor asked me few questions and I hardly answered them, having to repeat my words few times, and end up with misunderstanding. I do think they could easily dig up everything from those who accompany me (Najwa & Bro Halim) to the A&E rather than asking me on my condition.

I was at that time vomiting non-stop and having terrible pain in the brain. I cannot lift my head even a bit and need to be in recumbent supine position (baring kepala mengadap atas) in order not to cause greater pain in the brain. Mengiring pun tak boleh, duduk pun tak boleh, ape pun tak boleh. Hanya baring sahaja dibenarkan oleh kepala selama hampir 3 hari. That was actually due to a procedure i received few days before in the ward.


Then, I heard they wanted to do the IM (intramuscular: which means within the muscle) injection as the first procedure to reduce the pain I suffered of.

“Please, no...” I refused slowly right before they take out the drug (sambil geleng-geleng kepala kot). Few times I refused as they kept arguing with me.

Firstly because it will lead me to vomit, this is the effect of some drugs to the body. At that particular time, I already vomited non-stop every minute. Hence, considering my own QOL (Quality Of Life) for not giving extra harm, so I refused to. Even I did not know what type of drug they wanted to give, but I don’t care. I am afraid it will become worst, I will vomit more. I prefer to bear with the pain rather than having some more drug and keep vomiting.

Secondly, as you know, IM injection is very much painful, during and after, even this is not realy the reason why as Im used to the injections. IM is not like the pain with IV (intravenous: within a vein), it is very much different. Instead, IV is actually not painful at all. I am not really sure why IM is much more painful as I’ve seen many people end up with tears after IM injection. And I myself have experienced of IM many times, previously it was given to me at least every month.

In addition of that, the night before, the doctor on duty already did the injection for me through IM at the A&E. After that she let me go back to UIA and requested me to come back tomorrow morning if it’s becoming worst. It did. Thus, there I am the next day with the half conscious condition. I went only after a very bad condition. The bloody-minded me (read: degil).

So, that was the third reason. Even though, the doctor still argued with me. For sure I did not give any reasons, just refusing (read: geleng kepala). I do think the doctor should understand why, just by looking at my condition and applying the patient’s QOL without having to ask to. If not, after the injection of the drug through IM, they need to give me another injection to reduce the vomiting (fast action rather than orally) [please correct me if I am wrong].

I wonder why IM injection is painful. For some people, the pain is still there for two to three days later. From logical assumption with some friends, it might be due to the reaction of the drug as IM would not caused pain if it is done properly (read: ye eh..? What does it mean with proper technique?). For IV, logically it would not cause any pain as it goes through the blood vessel. Aite?

Just logical assumption, I tried to search, but did not found any information. So, this is only one part of it which I wanted to share. I guess I’ve talked a lot about needle, syringe and so on in my previous post. Yet, this is not the last, there will some more soon, Insha’Allah, in another sharing corner, because sharing is caring.

The moral value? Maybe before taking any further actions, we have to consider patient’s condition. Something which is looks necessary is not always right. This could be applied not only in the healthcare field, but also in our daily life. Again, patient is a living entity. Thus, please beware!

Wallahu’alam, a reminder for me and for you. Till then, wassalam.

P/s: to be continued on the next series, inshaAllah