Peanut Butter/Penicillin shot?

[SailorShelby]

Alright, so I hear talk of a "peanut butter" shot at basic. An extremely thick liquid that requires a very large needle :What: I've heard it called a penicillin, Gamma Globulin, and a Bicillin shot. I've read various things about it, some people say it is still given and some people say no they do not give it any longer. I've heard that it goes in your butt and that its extremely painful! What is this shot, and do they still give it? I know this is the last thing I should be worrying about lol, but I just want to be fully prepared and aware.

[Laworlo]

Far as I have heard, it is Penicillin. And yes they still do it.

[sweetmtn]

Yup...still give it!

[prop827]

Yeah you'll get the peanut butter shot. Don't remember what it is thats in it. It hurts a little when you get it and its sore for a couple days but it's not that bad. People just seem to hype it up. You all just bend over around a gurney and about 6 of you get it at a time and then its all over. Its really not that bad, don't you worry. This is boot camp we're talking about, don't sweat the small stuff, trust me. :sharkcircling:

[Laworlo]

I was excited to hear that it was Penicillin originally, because I have been allergic to it since infancy. However, while getting med waivers, they ran an blood allergy test and come to find out that I am no longer allergic to any of the antibiotics that I used to be. Thought I was going to get around the Peanut Butter Shot...guess again.

[SailorShelby]

Ohhh danggg :( lol. I have never had a shot back there before. I've given some during my medical assistant training, but never had one lol. How long does it take for them to inject all of it? Since its really thick

[Nuke Guy]

Takes about 3 seconds for them to inject everything. However, you are bent over a gurney with 5 of your shipmates, so you try to ignore the pain to avoid embarrassing yourself. Not going to lie, it is NOT a pleasant experience, but its not the worst thing that happens at bootcamp.

By the way, the Navy now administers 2 doses to each recruit during bootcamp; 1 during p-days and another with your 5-2 day vaccinations.

As for needle size, you never see the needle, so it doesn't really matter.

[SailorShelby]

You have to get the shot twice? Great lol. What is the 5-2 day vaccinations? Do you get it again at the end of bootcamp?

[depdad]

Why is it called the Peanut Butter shot ?

[SailorShelby]

Because the liquid is really thick!

[AVSailor]

Lol i'm just going to close my eyes and breath out. Gotten plenty of shots before, sure i'll get plenty after. Right? :P

[navygurl413]

The shot isn't too bad. I got one when I had strep throat (also given by a military doctor). It is very thick and it does hurt a little when getting it. My behind was sore for a few days. I think the soreness was worse than getting the shot.

[prop827]

And yes, some of you will get it twice, others won't. My understanding is that the second round of the peanut butter shots is based on the time frame during which you're at boot camp. I only got the initial one. (As it was explained to me, if 5-2 happens after 1DEC but before 1MAY you get the second shot, otherwise you don't; but I don't know how true the dates above are, I just know its something like that from what I've heard). Even if you don't get the peanut butter again, you'll still get a whole second round of OTHER lovely inoculations on 5-2 Day to look forward to!

[blueberripie]

And yes, some of you will get it twice, others won't. My understanding is that the second round of the peanut butter shots is based on the time frame during which you're at boot camp. I only got the initial one. (As it was explained to me, if 5-2 happens after 1DEC but before 1MAY you get the second shot, otherwise you don't; but I don't know how true the dates above are, I just know its something like that from what I've heard). Even if you don't get the peanut butter again, you'll still get a whole second round of OTHER lovely inoculations on 5-2 Day to look forward to!

Is that 5-2 given in your arm? I was told recruits get some kind of shot in the arm with something that looks like an air compressor and you have to stay still or you can do some damage to your arm. I had never heard of that before and thought it was scary talk :What:

[prop827]

5-2 and P Day shots are both done with those machines that use compressed air to give you the shot. Its not so bad.

[rivy]

I was excited to hear that it was Penicillin originally, because I have been allergic to it since infancy. However, while getting med waivers, they ran an blood allergy test and come to find out that I am no longer allergic to any of the antibiotics that I used to be. Thought I was going to get around the Peanut Butter Shot...guess again.

I don't know if I'm allergic to penicillin. Which made me freak out a bit.
Many of my relatives are allergic to penicillin, including my mom and a couple of my siblings.
I would go to an allergy clinic to get an evaluation, but it could cost any where between $375-$900

[AVSailor]

Honestly i think its bad because you are all hyped up and freaking out over it and everyone's all panicked lol. It hurts but its not like that bad. And sorry but you are going to get it at week 5 too. And i never even saw the needle. Just take a deep breath and 2 seconds later your done.

[rivy]

Oh. Pfft. I don't have a problem with needles and shots. I'm just worried that I may be allergice to penicillin, and I've heard about and witnessed far too many allergic reactions to penicillin.
And I really don't want to have to deal with it

[sweetmtn]

Oh. Pfft. I don't have a problem with needles and shots. I'm just worried that I may be allergice to penicillin, and I've heard about and witnessed far too many allergic reactions to penicillin.
And I really don't want to have to deal with it

Ask your mom if you were ever on any antibiotics.(guarantee you were at some point in our life)..chances are she will know AND which ones! Even your family doctor would know if you were....some of the common ones are amoxicillin, clavamox, biomox...if when you were a baby and had to take the liquid, it was pink and tasted like bubble gum...that is amoxicillin or more known by Amoxi Drops...

[rivy]

Ask your mom if you were ever on any antibiotics.(guarantee you were at some point in our life)..chances are she will know AND which ones! Even your family doctor would know if you were....some of the common ones are amoxicillin, clavamox, biomox...if when you were a baby and had to take the liquid, it was pink and tasted like bubble gum...that is amoxicillin or more known by Amoxi Drops...


Hahah. My mom now remembers. I read the last bit of your reply and immediately knew that I wasn't allergic. As a young toddler they gave me Cefaclor, which resulted in an apparently gross looking yet painless rash. In turn I got to have that delicious pink stuff, and I remember taking that up until I started kindergarten because they thought I had recurring ear infections. Turns out I just had (and still kinda do have) really bad seasonal allergies and my symptoms looked like an ear infection.

Now that I know I'm not allergic, bring on the peanut butt-hurt-- peanut butter... I mean penicillin shot.

[TrooperTaff]

ugh I hate needles

[Jnewman16]

they do not give you the peanut butter shot on 5-2 day.. .. just your p-4 day.. its not that bad but ppl tend to interact different.. the guy next to me was screaming and crying..and i was fine.. its not that big of a issue..lol.. i graduated from boot 2 weeks ago..so i know for sure you dont get it on your 5-2 day

[AO_Davidson]

lol funny enough this part and the dental part sense i need a little bit done to my teeth are the only two things im truly worried about at bootcamp. but from what i have heard the smaller of a butt you have the less it hurts, also that it forms a ball that you have to sit on your butt and roll around to get it spread. is that true?!?!

[stevebw]

also that it forms a ball that you have to sit on your butt and roll around to get it spread. is that true?!?!

now you have me terrified :What:

[Soon to be ABE]

lol i'm the same way the only thing i'm worried about at rtc is the dental part knowing i have a few cavities, and i got a question for everybody posting on this topic. How many of you guys who are worrying about the shot have tattoos? I bet at least half of you do lol. I have 43 hours worth of tattoos i can care less about a stupid peanut butter shot that lasts literally 2 seconds. Just man up and take the shot and move on with bootcamp.

[stevebw]

I don't have any tattoos..yet. :-p So I guess that's one less thing to worry about. But I agree, we're just gonna have to man up and take that PB shot. It just stinks to know before-hand and wishing you'd get it over with already.

[AO_Davidson]

lol i'm the same way the only thing i'm worried about at rtc is the dental part knowing i have a few cavities, and i got a question for everybody posting on this topic. How many of you guys who are worrying about the shot have tattoos? I bet at least half of you do lol. I have 43 hours worth of tattoos i can care less about a stupid peanut butter shot that lasts literally 2 seconds. Just man up and take the shot and move on with bootcamp.

lol sooo true i have a few hours and honestly im more worried about dental part not that shot that only last 3 sec, cause i have 2 root canals that need to be taken care of =/ looks like ill be in sickbay that night...

[SailorShelby]

I think they are going to rip all 4 of my wisdom teeth out. I only have one thats broken through the gums but recruiters telling me they will most likely take all 4 out because they don't want me to be stuck on a ship and have them start causing problems. I hear from many recruits though that they don't mind having them taken out because they get a couple days rest, and aren't missing out on anything important because so many recruits have them pulled it would be stupid of them to teach something important while so many recruits are not there to learn it. So while we are laying in bed they are all cleaning....thats just what I hear lol

[Cheyennechaos]

Im allergic to it....do you know what I have to take instead, if I have to take anything at all?

[sweetmtn]

Im allergic to it....do you know what I have to take instead, if I have to take anything at all?

Have no clue what they would give in its place..BUT MAKE SURE IT IS DOCUMENTED YOUR ALLERGIC!

[kforbs126]

If you are allergic its 60 days worth of antibiotics. So you take a pill twice daily.

[Laworlo]

I can honestly tell you they still do this shot. You will get it done on the Camp Moffitt (In Processing side) on P-4 day. You will on this day go into the Red Rover building which houses medical and dental and will line up with your sleeves rolled up and go into this P-way and get stuck in each arm twice. Then you hang a left and either 6 or 8 people bend over a gurney and they stick it in your left ass cheek. With this shot in the civilian world, they would inject the gel-ish liquid in as they pulled the needle out...not here. They jab the needle in, your cheek uncontrollably clenches hard and then you limp out of the room. I personally could not sleep on my left side for a solid week. A few were okay, but the vast majority of the division couldn't. Wasn't fun that's for sure.

[Cheyennechaos]

Yeah, I documented it....anxiously awaiting my med read to come back....thank you very much!

[jdAECF]

Have no clue what they would give in its place..BUT MAKE SURE IT IS DOCUMENTED YOUR ALLERGIC!

Is it necessary to have documented? I know it probabily is... But I don't have the insurance or funds or time to have myself checked out. Before I had a tooth pulled, my dentist had me on amox, and I broke out in a minor rash. She said I wa probabily allergic to it, and if so would be highly allergic to pennicillin. I just don't want to have a servere reaction while in bootcamp and risk getting sent home for it.

[sweetmtn]

Is it necessary to have documented? I know it probabily is... But I don't have the insurance or funds or time to have myself checked out. Before I had a tooth pulled, my dentist had me on amox, and I broke out in a minor rash. She said I wa probabily allergic to it, and if so would be highly allergic to pennicillin. I just don't want to have a servere reaction while in bootcamp and risk getting sent home for it.

Ask your parents if you were ever on any type of pen. when you were little. You can even call your old doctor and see if it might be in your records..if not, well, dont count on them just taking your word for it due to your dentist saying it. You might call your dentist and see if she can document it for you, talk to your recruiter about this soon!

[LSsquillace]

Just the thought of shot in my ass....ew :nono:

[Future Seal]

since we are on the subject, i notified them at meps that i was allergic to amoxocillin. I should be good to go right???

[TrooperTaff]

Yeah they still do it. And it sucks lol

[jdAECF]

since we are on the subject, i notified them at meps that i was allergic to amoxocillin. I should be good to go right???

yeah you are exempt. ive got fresh knowledge, I graduated yesterday :)

twice daily pill, 30 days. you also get a dorky red tag to wear with your dog tags.

and I don't know why people are saying things about the air compressors and whatnot? that's not a thing they do. its a manual injection, one for every shot. I has 11 shots total in bootcamp. 7 on day p-2 (I think) and 4 more on 5-2. not pleasant. HMA's aren't good at what they do...

[Future Seal]

Ok cool and congratulations :stars:, i have a long wait i dont leave till may.

[3rdGenSailor]

Im not really nervous about the shot, when I was younger I had needle phobia and all that, but I grew out of it, but for a reference point, Is the needle about the same size they use when you donate blood? I've given blood twice, first time 1 pint second time 2 pints, and that was a pretty big needle..

[prop827]

You never actually see the needle for the peanut butter shot, you just bend over and receive. Its not that bad, trust me.

[NavyPrincess]

Morning future Sailors- signed in as my daughter- she's currently at BC- she's had the peanut butter shot- ans she said it wasn't that bad- - thought you all needed to know- once less thing to worry about with BC!!! Happy Easter all-

[F/S-MARodriguez]

The peanut butter shot isn't anywhere near as bad as everyone says it is.

[FutureSailor24]

I've heard that with the peanut butter shot, if you rub/massage the area where the shot was given, it cuts down on the amount of time that you will be sore.

[NavyGamecock]

Ive heard the so called PB shot is just a joke. When I was at the MEPs hotel before my physical my roommate told me it was just a joke that I had nothing to worry about. I really don't care if I get one or not but my im wondering why would they give everyone a penicillin shot if they are not sick.. sounds like a waste of penicillin to me

[Auridan]

I was going to try to be sarcastic about that, but I couldn't sell it right. Whoever told you the shot is a joke is probably playing one on you.

[jzhaun]

Ah, but trust me. You WILL be sick by then. Everyone's sick for the first few weeks because you're getting exposed to the germs that 80+ other people brought with them when they got on the plane and whatever might have got left behind by the last people to sit in that processing room or live in that compartment. It's like daycare times 20. You can almost count getting pink eye at some point.

And that's assuming nothing else breaks out while you're there. I was one of the first to get sick when VGE broke out in January . . .

[NavyPrincess]

The PB shot sucks. I ended up getting three of them during my marvelous 4 month stay at RTC.

[MA_Henken]

I graduated BC about 4 months ago and to be honest the PB shot wasn't that bad at all, actually me the 5 other guys from my div that got it at the same time were giggling and laughing as we limped out of the room lol petty officers were yelling at us to stop laughing and to "walk normal". Mine just caught me by surprise, I felt the needle and was like, that wasn't so bad but then boom hahaha but all in all wasn't bad at all, and we only got 1 PB shot

[BakaWolf]

I have a question about this shot, I go to RTC in like 5 months and when I filled all my stuff out I totally forgot my parents said I was allergic to penicillin...what do I do? Take it and risk a reaction or tell them?

[Auridan]

I have a question about this shot, I go to RTC in like 5 months and when I filled all my stuff out I totally forgot my parents said I was allergic to penicillin...what do I do? Take it and risk a reaction or tell them?

Reaction or no, you need to disclose that. Do so ASAP, or go get tested for it. On the good side, most people who think they're allergic to penicillin really aren't, and if you go for an allergy test it will probably come up negative.

[Chance]

Im personally not too worried about the PB shot. After tattoos accross my sternum, shots dont really bother me that much anymore.

[Kzxkx]

I remember the couple of days after getting that shot were the worst. Everytime I'd bend down or lean left or right, there'd be a huge pang of pain. Some of the guys actually found a decent amount of blood in their skivvies.

[maggio1994]

Yes you get the peanut butter shot

It is Penicillin

You do get it in the butt

Basically you bend over a table and expose part of your cheek and they give you the shot, from my memory it felt like any normal shot would, I don't recall it being a bigger needle or anything like that, you don't even see the needle. But it's more sore later, especially the next day. Rub the area after you get the shot, it'll help reduce the soreness later.

If you're allergic and you forgot to disclose it, just let them know. You'll fill out a form before you get any shots and either the form asks if you're allergic or somebody will be there asking about things like that. A few people in my division said they forgot something like that and there was no issues.

[John213AV]

I know a lot of people who were scared of the shot and faked being allergic to Penicillin. They had to take special pills like the entire boot camp and it ripped up their stomach. They wish they took the shot instead lol

[CSSEsaw]

I graduated BC about 4 months ago and to be honest the PB shot wasn't that bad at all, actually me the 5 other guys from my div that got it at the same time were giggling and laughing as we limped out of the room lol petty officers were yelling at us to stop laughing and to "walk normal". Mine just caught me by surprise, I felt the needle and was like, that wasn't so bad but then boom hahaha but all in all wasn't bad at all, and we only got 1 PB shot

what time of the year did you go in?

[musclecarhunter]

If you go anytime between, I want to say Oct and March, you get two PB shots. I know in the middle of March, they start giving recruits only one PB shot during boot

[airman.midgett]

they still give the peanut butter shot. dont worry about it though. you walk into a room with a few people you pull down your shorts and you stare into the eyes of the person in front of you and have an intimate moment while they put a needle in your butt. its not that bad at all

[Atom_breaker]

Just heard on tv the best way to take shoots in the rear; they stated that if you put all you weight on the opposite leg of injection, and wiggle the toes/ankle on the side of the injection, that it will help relax the muscle and prevent the little "ball" of thick liquid that can form in a tense muscle. Might be worth a shot.

[nick93]

they do still give the pb shot. if you are there during the winter you will get one in pdays and one before graduation. it does suck but its really not that bad. youll be with the other guys from you division when you get it and that makes it a little better. you can laugh at the faces they make and they will laugh at you and youll all limp around for a day or two after. but you all experience it together and that makes it alot better to honest because you are all going thru everything together.

[Auridan]

Just heard on tv the best way to take shoots in the rear; they stated that if you put all you weight on the opposite leg of injection, and wiggle the toes/ankle on the side of the injection, that it will help relax the muscle and prevent the little "ball" of thick liquid that can form in a tense muscle. Might be worth a shot.

As with everything else in boot camp, the staff will hold your hand through the entire process, and you WILL do it this way. You're going to stand on the injected leg with your other leg crossed behind it, which is largely to prevent your leg flailing into the corpsman when you're startled by the needle.

[Atom_breaker]

to prevent your leg flailing into the corpsman when you're startled by the needle.

I wonder how many corpsman got horse kicked before they started having recruits cross their legs. :rofl:

[LS.HALBROOKS3]

THE WORST SHOT EVER!!! It hurts so bad!!

Thank goodness you only have to take it once!! :) :happyfeet:

[Auridan]

As shots go, it's pretty bad. But it's not that bad. In fact, I was more irritated by a shot in the tongue when I went to dental to get a tooth fixed recently, and that was with anesthetic. Worse than the shot itself is the soreness that lingers for a day, or even a few days after. And worst of all is the anticipation beforehand, which caused my entire line to crack up in constant nervous giggles and off-color jokes that should have got us all roundly beaten.

When it happens, you'll be like "AAAAH! Wait, that's it?"

[FSTRRS]

I'm no longer allergic to penicillin so this means I'm getting the shot. yay me! I developed the immunity to it after being off from it for 15 years, I'm currently 20 so lets see how my first dose goes.

[RomeoHotel]

Wonder if I'm still allergic to Pen. I told the docs at MEPS and it's in my records, do they test to find out? Will I even be told the results?

[Auridan]

Wonder if I'm still allergic to Pen. I told the docs at MEPS and it's in my records, do they test to find out? Will I even be told the results?
Odds are you're not going to get the shot. You'll be on pills instead for a few weeks at least if I remember right. And no, they're not going to test, they just take your word for it because it's not really that big a deal.

And yeah, you probably aren't allergic anymore. I self-reported as well, but got a test before I left, which made it quite obvious I wasn't allergic. Waste of time and money, ultimately.

[JSlattery]

RomeoHotel, you CAN go to your primary physician and ask. Usually, not always but usually, people that are allergic to the cillians mostly get hives so it's not horrible. But if you're really worried, talk to your own doc before you leave.


And as a note, it isn't actually penicillin. It's Immunoblobulin. Most people don't get straight penicillin, it is usually a family member, which immunogolbulin is. But penicillin and the like (amoxicillin, etc) are given when you already have an infection. The immunogloblin is an immune booster. The reason you can't take it if you are allergic to penicillins is it has some of the same elements in it.

[PropertyofBuMed]

Is it necessary to have documented? I know it probabily is... But I don't have the insurance or funds or time to have myself checked out. Before I had a tooth pulled, my dentist had me on amox, and I broke out in a minor rash. She said I wa probabily allergic to it, and if so would be highly allergic to pennicillin. I just don't want to have a servere reaction while in bootcamp and risk getting sent home for it.

If you say you got hives after taking penicillin, they're idiots if they try to force you to take the shot, for numerous reasons..

Its whatever though.. its a pretty hefty im shot straight to the glut... but if you can take the shot, just man up and do it. Don't try to cheat the system at RTC just to get out of a little pain, it creates a lot of extra work for the already stressed medical staff there.

As for this Gamma globulin stuff I don't know where that's coming from... that's for allergies and hepatitis.. the 1.2 million units of PCN you get administered at great lakes is for prophylaxis.

if youre feeling really brave you can ask for 2 shots, that's enough to cure syphilis! Oh the possibilities...

[digitalxhottie]

So Ive been taking Trimox, amoxicillin, Doxy my whole life and my physician said that just because Ive had that doesnt mean that Im not allergic to the full version of penicillin. So they were afraid to give me a Z-pac.

My question is this...Where do they give you a blood test to find out if you have allergies? Do they do it at MEPS?

[navycatmc]

Alright, so I hear talk of a "peanut butter" shot at basic. An extremely thick liquid that requires a very large needle :What: I've heard it called a penicillin, Gamma Globulin, and a Bicillin shot. I've read various things about it, some people say it is still given and some people say no they do not give it any longer. I've heard that it goes in your butt and that its extremely painful! What is this shot, and do they still give it? I know this is the last thing I should be worrying about lol, but I just want to be fully prepared and aware.

Don't over think it, that's what going to make you freak out. We all did it (even the people who cry with shots or are just terrified). They DO still give it, our group of divisions got it twice. And you DO want it because there are so many germs floating around that place. It's not extremely painful, just relax, you'll only feel it when the liquid is actually going into your body, then it's just a little sore. You'll be with a group of people (males with males and females with females). If you want to be worried about shots, be worried about the set of 5 or 6 shots you're going to get (I had 3 on each arm). Those ones were a little more painful than the bicilin shot.

[navycatmc]

Wonder if I'm still allergic to Pen. I told the docs at MEPS and it's in my records, do they test to find out? Will I even be told the results?

If you're allergic, they'll tell you you're allergic. They do serious blood work on you guys when you get there.

[digitalxhottie]

If you're allergic, they'll tell you you're allergic. They do serious blood work on you guys when you get there.
When do they test you? Its before they give any shots right? I dont like taking medications Ive never had before and I dont like getting shots because I am terrified of being allergic. Needles dont bother me though :)

[HOOYAHZER0]

The PB shot.. Not my favorite moment in bootcamp but what happened happened.. It is a rather large needle and it does make your ass cheeks tense up, but you'll be fine after the soreness goes away. Doing those sustained runs on it sucked though.