Self injecting

[Lizzy86]

Hi I did post at beginning of Aug when just finished loading doses - I am on the standard regime ie now every 3 months. Have had symptoms for over 10 years. Loading doses had no effect if anything slightly worse. Have tried supplementing with sub-linguals (which make my mouth sore) and patches which didn't seem to have any effect - but perhaps I just wasn't taking enough. Any way have decided to go down the route of self injecting with the green and blue needles but am finding these needles just to long is it OK to use the shorter insulin needles of 1/2" will they work just as well?

I have watched several of the utube videos - they do seem to vary - I do find it quite scary going done the Self Injecting route!

[Lulu_65]

Hi Lizzy86

I recently started self injecting and I use the insulin needles. I have used Methylcobalmin and also hydroxicobalamin from Germany. Both of these can be injected subcutaneously which is far less scary than intramuscular

If you specifically type in self inject subcutaneous on you tube there are a few helpful teaching videos.

Lu x

[Lizzy86 in reply to Lulu_65]

Thanks Lu - I have got the hydroxicobalamin from Germany - I will look at the videos for SubQ

[Hidden in reply to Lulu_65]

Only had five days without injections already beginning to feel like am slipping again, no way am I going back to how I was. Going to look up that big word that you mentioned for other way of injecting. Gosh am learning so much

Thank you

[fbirder]

If you're going to do it IM then the longer needles will be needed to get through the layers of skin and fat, then deep enough into the muscle. I use 25mm purple needles now - but I have very little fat over the muscle.

[Hidden in reply to fbirder]

Glad you mentioned about size of needle, as I have no fat on me at the moment.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

injections can be IM or SubQ - insulin needles will only do subQ, as fbirder says.

Not clear why IM is exclusively used in UK as was originally licensed for both - although IM is going to get much more in initially studies looking at how long it takes for the body to remove B12 from blood imply that there probably isn't a lot to chose from in terms of which is better. If you find IM too much then its perfectly okay to go for subQ

[fbirder in reply to Gambit62]

I think that IM is preferred over SC by the NHS because it is more consistent for a wide variety of drugs. My reading suggests that the rate at which drugs enter the circulation after a SC administration varies a lot - depending on how much fat it has to perfuse through before it finds some blood vessels.

For something like B12 injections for B12d the rate isn't that important (indeed, I think I could make a case for a slow rate being preferable). But for others (like adrenaline for severe allergic reaction) you want it to get into the blood ASAP.

[Lizzy86 in reply to fbirder]

Thanks fbirder - my feelings go with the slow rate being preferable and possible half a dose but more frequently - say every day

[Lizzy86 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit62 - the PAS instruction sheet does state the use of insulin needles

[palmtop]

I self inject intramuscular cyanocobalamin with green needles, I asked around (doctors and nurses in my family) and was told I could only use those ones or the B12 will stay in the fat (even if you are thin) and not do it's job (it still works a little). I've been scared of injections all my life, and now I am able to do it myself. It is better than when other people do it. If you are a woman, try sitting down and inject in the hip area, it is very safe. I learned only with a needle (no syringe), very slowly, then I realised having the needle stuck in does not hurt, there is only a pinch when inserting. After that, I loaded the syringe: and done! You should not learn on your own, look for a doctor or a nurse that can teach you.

About a year ago I had loading doses each week and even more often for a couple of months. They were useless as I was out of iron and needed two perfusions (nearly blood transfusion). Maybe you should check your ferritin?

I read in this forum a lot of people having trouble getting the shots they feel they need, which should not been a problem as excess B12 is not an issue! So I encourage learning to self inject, it feels liberating to be self-sufficient, and that is very suitable for a condition that is diminishing.

[Lizzy86 in reply to palmtop]

Thanks palmtop I agree it is liberating to self inject - just a bit daunting

[Hidden in reply to palmtop]

Shame they don't treat are condition like others, could you imagine them saying to a diabetic, here's what you need for a month that's what everyone else has.

[Hidden]

Am going to do the same thing, not a expert but you might have to use big needle like they use at doctors