Back from Canada

[jillc39]

I could have cried with relief when I found how easy it is to buy B12 over the counter. I have come back with a case load. so now on to the injections - I have someone who will do this for me - but where to start with the needles??

[Gambit62 Administrator]

needles less of a problem - which you want depends on whether you intend to inject sub-cutaneously or intramuscular - you can use insulin needs for subQ but will need longer needles for intramuscular -

you can get needles from medisave - whatever method you go for.

If you put 'needles for B12 injection into the search box near the top I suspect you will see other posts about needles, which ones you need and other suggestions for where to get them

Glad that you were able to get the B12 in Canada

[wedgewood in reply to Gambit62]

You know that you really need 2 needles for injection . A long one ro withdraw the B12 from the ampoule I use a very long one. 21G X 1 1/2 ". (0.8 X 38mm) To inject into thigh muscle I use 23G X 1" (0.6 X 25mm.) You need a sharps disposal box and some swabs. If you inject sub- cutaneously the needle will be shorter. I don't know the size .

I am curious as to what sort of B12 you were able to get OTC in Canada . Was it Cynocobalamin , Hydroxocobalamin or Methlycobalamin? Very pleased for you !

[engels in reply to wedgewood]

Two needles aren't necessary. I just use a single 23g 1.25" (30mm).

[wedgewood in reply to engels]

I use 2 because I often catch the needle on the ampoule, whilst extracting , which blunts it. I think a blunt needle might be painful . Also a short needle will not reach the bottom of the ampoule

[engels in reply to wedgewood]

I use mainly 2ml ampoules which are much deeper than the 1ml ampoules generally prescribed in the UK and I can reach the bottom with a 1.25" needle. What most people don't appear to realise is that once you have snapped the top off the ampoule you can actually turn it upside down without losing the contents so you only need to insert the tip of the needle. I agree that a blunt needle would be painful so I am very careful.

Anyone using insulin type syringes with a fixed needle doesn't have the option to change needle anyway.

[wedgewood in reply to engels]

Thanks for telling me about upending the ampoule! I had no idea that one could do that!. Will try that out next time.

[Leilanilea in reply to engels]

I'd like to clarify what type of medication container is being discussed, as in other places on the site I've noticed that some people are using single injection glass ampoules.

I'm a retired RN and self inject, using multi-dose bottles with rubber top under flip-top lid. I use just one needle to first inject 1ml/cc of air into bottle to equalize pressure upon withdrawal of liquid, then while needle still in bottle I withdraw the 1ml/cc of medication and use same needle to inject intramuscularly (IM). I do use cyanocobalimin...I'm in the US.

Leilani

[wedgewood in reply to Leilanilea]

THanks for your info. I can only get the single -use ampoules . These I have to get from Germany, as here , in U.K. B12 injections are prescription only. My doctor will only allow me 1 injection every 3 months, which is not enough to keep the horrible P.A symptoms at bay. Does piercing the rubber seal not blunt the needle, making the injection a bit painful?

[Leilanilea in reply to wedgewood]

I think today's needles are very resistant to blunting. I can barely feel the needle upon insertion. Can you get products online from Canada? If you can, this may help:

I'm in US and recently ordered B12, cyanocobalamin, from Canadian site and can definitely recommend their products and service: Buy-Otc.com

I also bought their syringes with needles attached, but removable:

BD 3 ml Syringe, Luer-Lok Tip with BD PrecisionGlide Needle. 25G (gauge) x 1in (0.5mm x 25mm)

I'm a retired RN and was happy to see BD as they have been around forever and are considered a reputable company, as is Cytex, the maker of the cyanocobalamin. It comes in 10ml multiple dose vial/bottle with rubber stopper under the cap. 1000mcg/ml, for Intramuscular or Deep Sub-Q Injection.

I have self injected into thigh and these needles are slick...barely knew it was in! Using multi-dose B12 eliminates the need to break glass vial and potential cuts.

Hint, if you need to use glass one-dose vials/ampoules...wrap one or two alcohol wipes, depending on their thickness, around pointed top of vial, hold bottle tightly and break off. The alcohol wipe helps to hold without slipping and also protects your fingers.

Also, to get any bubbles out of the vial/ampoule, so all solution is usable, before opening hold with point upright and flick lower part of vial with middle finger and thumb.

best wishes,

Leilani

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to wedgewood]

Sorry wedgewood I missed this comment before I asked the question. Perhaps that explains the "odd occasion" when I have been "hurt". Never thought of that

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to wedgewood]

hydroxocobalamin is used in Canada

[Galixie in reply to Gambit62]

Every time I bought B12 in Canada, it was cyanocobalamin. hyrdoxo might be available, but it's definitely not what the pharmacist reaches for first when you ask for injectable B12.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Galixie]

Thanks Galixie

[Leilanilea in reply to Gambit62]

Gambit,

I buy online from Canada, and have only seen cyanocobalamin. If you know of an online source of hydroxocobalamin I'd appreciate having a link or name.

Thanks,

Leilani

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to wedgewood]

My nurse(s) have only ever used one needle (at a time) to load and inject intramuscularly into my arm wedgewood for the past 44 years.

Why do you suggest the need for using two?

[Secondchance]

So pleased you got some- hope it helps. How much was it in Canada and which type please?

[jillc39 in reply to Secondchance]

it was cheap - - it comes in 10 ml cyanocobalamin B12 about $4 for 10 injections

[Secondchance in reply to jillc39]

Wow! Brilliant. Might influence future holiday choices! No problems at the airport going home with ampoules?

[jillc39 in reply to Secondchance]

didn't ask! just packed it in my suitcase

[Lisahelen]

With regard to needles you can get a complete package of 100 from a company called proximity via amazon. 2 diiferent size needles, syringes, mediwipes and sharps boxes - about £23 inc post.

[Ithinkimdying]

That's great news!!! I have to buy mine online from Canada. I use 1inch intrsmusclar needles (i buy mine from OTCWholesale.com) if your asking where to supply.

[jillc39]

thank you all for your help. what would I do without this site....

[Twench]

This is probably a stupid question but what do you do with the sharps bin once it is full? I can't imagine it goes out with the rest of the household rubbish.

[Leilanilea in reply to Twench]

Hi Twench,

I think most people save it until full and then take with them to next medical appointment and ask to have it disposed of there. Or I think I saw that a person took to a needle-exchange site.

Leilani

[Secondchance in reply to Leilanilea]

Pharmacies take them.

[helvella in reply to Secondchance]

That seems to vary by area. NHS says:

How should I dispose of used needles or sharps?

Use a sharps bin (a specially designed rigid box with a lid). Sharps bins are available on prescription (FP10 prescription form) from your GP or pharmacist, and can be collected by your local authorities or returned to the doctor who prescribed them for disposal when full.

Needles

Used needles must not be bent or broken before disposal and you must never try to recap a needle.

Using a needle clipper

You can use a clipper to snap off a needle or the sharp part of a syringe. The needle stays inside the clipper. However, clippers are not designed to remove lancet needles.

Clippers are available for free on prescription if the patient is exempt from charges – for example, if he or she is diabetic.

Using your sharps bin

You can use your sharps bin to dispose of medical supplies such as:

needles

syringes

lancets used with finger-pricking devices

clippers

After you've used needles or similar medical supplies, put them into the sharps bin immediately. Do not try to take them out again.

Boxes must only be filled to the manufacturers' line and should be disposed of every three months, even if they are not full.

While your sharps bin is in use or waiting to be collected, keep it in a safe place so it's not a risk to other people and is out of the reach of children.

Disposing of your full sharps bin

Arrangements for disposing of full sharps bins vary from area to area.

When your sharps bin is full, you may be able to return it to your GP surgery or local pharmacy. Some GP surgeries and pharmacies run free collection services.

If you have a medical condition such as diabetes, you can ask your local council to collect your sharps bin. Local councils can charge for this service.

Do not use other bins

You should not put used needles or other sharps:

in your household waste bin or any other general refuse bin

in a container that's no longer needed, such as a drinks can or bottle

Needles can cause injury to you or other people because they're sharp. Used needles carry blood-borne viruses that may be passed on to other people, such as:

HIV

hepatitis B

hepatitis C

Needles for medication

If you use needles to inject medication, it's your responsibility to dispose of them safely. For example, if you have:

diabetes and use a syringe, injection pen or insulin pen for regular insulin injections

diabetes and need regular finger-prick blood tests using a lancet to check your glucose level

a severe allergy for which you may need to inject adrenaline (epinephrine) from a preloaded syringe or injection pen

Needles used for illegal drugs

Reusing a needle to inject illegal drugs carries a high risk of catching a serious blood-borne infection. Needles should never be reused or shared to avoid the risk of passing on infection.

Many areas in England have needle and syringe programmes that provide free supplies of clean needles and advice on disposing of used needles safely. Contact your local pharmacy or drug service to find out if there's a programme in your area.

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2421.aspx

[Leilanilea]

Helvella, Great Information...I'll see if I can find similar for US folks.