Self injecting advice please

Hiya is it easy to self inject ? Im lucky so far with my b12 injections its just in case my luck runs out any advice please....

[fbirder]

I got the nurse who administered my loading doses to show me how to inject in my thigh. Simples.

[Hidden in reply to fbirder]

Thank you FB ill ask her on Mon

[Minx1971 in reply to fbirder]

Hi

Did the nurse ask any questions, if you have told the nurse you self inject is she obliged to tell the doctor. If she has told the doctor what has he said about the matter? Sorry so many questions.

[fbirder in reply to Minx1971]

No, no questions. The nurse seemed to think this wasn't unusual.

When I saw the doc he was surpised I was self-injecting. Mainly because he hadn't prescribed anything. He was very surprised when I told hime I got hydroxocobalamin from amazon.de and syringes/needles/swabs from amazon.uk So the nurse obviously hadn't told him (she probably put it in my notes but I don't think GP read them too thoroughly).

Ask all the questions you feel necessary.

[pvanderaa]

There are some pretty good YouTube video on self injecting.

Also the first time you try, if you have the rubber stoppered vials of B12 then use two needles. One to inject through the rubber and a new one to inject into yourself. The break top ampoules don't have this issue unless you put the needle all the way to the bottom of the vial.

Make sure to get all the air out of the syringe after changing the needle.

The rubber blunts the needle ever so slightly and having a sharp needle the first time eliminate or reduces pain when you inject yourself.

Once you get past that initial fear, you can ignore any pain from a slightly blunted needle.

One trick I found helps me is to press a penny on your selected injection site for the count of 10.

This leaves a nice ring indentation in the skin to provide a target for cleaning with alcohol swabs and then aiming to inject.

[fbirder in reply to pvanderaa]

I use two needles, even though I use the ampoules. They're not expensive and I'd rather use a shorter, finer, needle for the jab itself.

Really like the penny idea. I often forget where I've swabbed.

[Hypopotamus]

Another 'yes' vote just to encourage you because it is easy.

[jbb12]

It seems daunting but it is the easiest thing to do. I buy 1 inch insulin needles which are so fine you don't feel anything. Inject in your thigh muscle before bed. I had the best advice from this site and can't shout out enough how much better I feel having more regular shots albeit diy! Make sure the doy on the ampoule is facing away from you before you snap the top off as can shatter. Good luck

[Hidden]

The reason i asked as although my GP has said ok to 7 more injections starting Mon over 2 weeks our only nurse at surgery only got one app all week so receptionist said come Mon she might be able to fit you in other days i know that wont happen so the GP said they can fax local district nurses office to come to me Easy! No afraid not the 2 GPs who run that practice will overide this new GPs decision to even give me another loading dose let alone send someone to me i thought it strange when receptionist said nurse fully booked all week only one app and wanted to take my prescription for b12 as she was the one when ihad my first loading dose prescribed by the same GP it was the other 2 who said only one injection not a loading dose so i had a battle and finally got my 6 and had nurse visit as our surgery nurse was off sick now i got a feeling on Mon its not going to be straight forward as GP who prescribed dose again is off for 3 weeks and the 2 nasties are on lucky enough i didnt hand back my prescripton and got it from pharmacy so hopefully nurse will be nice n helpful but if she cant fit me in it means she has to go into the nasties and get permission for home visit. I hope i havent confused n Bored you All Thank you for replies