Needle length and how long to self IM

[patez]

Hi again everyone.

I have been self IM daily now for 13 days. I am definitely feeling an awful lot better, but I want to ask how long is normal daily B12 loading injections for? I still have slight tingling and numbness in my right hand, and I have seen on some websites that B12 injections are done "until the symptoms have gone"? No mention of whether that is daily, every 2-3 days, weekly, monthly? Advice please?

I have blue 1 inch needles. I inject in the thigh. It seems that there is a bit of resistance at about 7/8 inch, which is where I stop and inject. Should I be forcing it all the way to the full 1 inch?

Thanks.

Tez

[fbirder]

I have seen on some websites that B12 injections are done "until the symptoms have gone

The standard recommendation is injections every other day until there is no further improvement. Some neurological damage is permanent, some neurological symptoms aren't caused by a B12 deficiency. In both of those cases you'd pointlessly inject forever while waiting for the symptoms to disappear.

Length of needle depends on how much subcutaneous fat it has to go through before it gets into the muscle. I use 1" long needles, but I have very little fat above the muscle. This page explains how to determine the needle length required. unionmedico.com/expanded-ne... My skinfold is about 9mm so I should really be using a shorter needle.

[patez in reply to fbirder]

Hi.

Thanks for the link about needle length. I guess I am about right in my case, because I am quite muscular. Less than 1 inch of tissue. But there again? It seems to be a very fine point (pardon the pun), given that the guidelines are only within 5 mm? I guess I have to grit my teeth even more, and force the needle to it's full depth, just to be sure?

"Some neurological damage is permanent, some neurological symptoms aren't caused by a B12 deficiency. In both of those cases you'd pointlessly inject forever while waiting for the symptoms to disappear."

In my case, the neurological damage (the tingling fingers) has greatly improved, but not yet fully back in order, which does suggest that it is not irreversible?

Every other day? That seems to depend on whether it is Hydroxy or Cyano?

Cyano says every day until the symptoms are clear.

Hydroxy says every other day.

I am injecting Cyano (which is all that is available).

Tez