b12 injections subq?

[mlc2009]

Hi All,

I got some hydroxocobalamin from goldpharma, is it okay to do this subq using a 30g needle? I have experience injecting into abdomen, let me know as a lot of places say IM, and not used to that

[Hidden]

Apparently its OK to inject hydroxo sub cutain, quite a few do, I've just never done that, Marre.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

I do subq - but in the thigh as I tend to find the stomach quite difficult and much more painful - but that is me. I think we are all different and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another in terms of location

[2Chrissie4]

Always, always inject hydroxocobalamin in the upper arm muscles. I have been having these injections now for years and I distinctly remember asking why in the upper arms and the doctors practice nurse told me that it is best absorbed into the system this way at the correct rate of absorbtion. Do not inject it anywhere else especially into the abdomen as this can cause problems. Google Hydroxocobalamin and you will be told inject into the upper arm muscles.

[engels in reply to 2Chrissie4]

Nonsense. Intramuscular hydroxo injections into my thighs work fine for me.

[2Chrissie4 in reply to engels]

My two practice nurses have been taught to do the injections in the arm. At least five doctors in two different hospitals also were taught to do the injections in the arms. A haemotologist also says to inject in the arm muscles. They can't all be wrong and full of nonsense can they?

[Hidden in reply to 2Chrissie4]

Hi 2Chrissie4 ,

Hydroxocobalamin injections are normally done in a muscle (IM) by an NHS nurse and this is usually in the arm, but if that muscle is thin (old and weak) then the bum muscle is used. If a NHS nurse teaches you how to self inject hydroxocobalamin IM , then this will be in the upper leg muscle as that is easier to do; if you do it your self. The main issue here is that hydroxocobalamin is only licensed (in UK) to be injected IM, in a muscle, there are other muscles that can be used, than only the arm muscle, ask your nurse/GP next time,

Kind regards,

Marre.

[engels in reply to 2Chrissie4]

I'm afraid that when it comes to B12 they most certainly can all be wrong. B12 deficiency is probably one of the most misunderstood medical conditions and some of the nonsense spouted by supposed medical professionals beggars belief.

I believe the reason that nurses are taught to inject into the arm has more to do with that being the most easily accessible suitable muscle than anything else. As Marre has said, if you are taught to do your own intramuscular injections you will almost certainly be taught to use your thigh as that is the easiest location to use when doing it yourself.

There are many people on this forum who can attest from personal experience that B12 injections work perfectly well in a variety of locations whether intramuscular or subcutaneous.

[radyeatlantic]

I have been injecting into the belly fat with a 25G needle every two weeks for a year now without any issues. Hardly feel it and I don't get the ache afterward that I used to get by going IM into the upper leg muscle.

I find that I get a slightly longer time between injections before symptoms begin to return by going subq.

You may have a problem with a 30g needle though. The needle is so fine that you may have issues getting the B12 in and out. With a 25G needle it takes a count of twenty for me to get the B12 in me without feeling like I am forcing it to much.