Some difficulties with s/c hydroxycobalamin injections

[MALP]

Hello all, I have been doing my own injections s/c for some months now, but increasingly am having difficuties when trying to get the needle to initially pierce my skin. I am 62, and my skin is obviously not so firm anymore (so doesn't offer much resistance to push against), I find I'm trying to push the needle in and my skin just keeps giving underneath, it's quite stressful, and I'm starting to lose my confidence. If anyone has any helpful suggestions I'd be very grateful - I'm injecting in to lateral thigh.

A second issue that has arisen is that twice now, the injected fluid seems to have pooled under the skin leaving a lump - which disperses within 24 hours - am I getting the angle wrong? I try to go in at 90 degrees. Also, if this happens does it mean I won't absorb as much of the B12?

Thankyou

[clivealive Forum Support]

I'm not medically trained but I think I read somewhere that some that self inject B12 use needles diabetics use for insulin.

I hope this helps

[MALP in reply to clivealive]

Thank you,I am using the small orange needles. I also am a Type 1 diabetic but the insulin needles I have are minute and wouldn't be any good for the B12

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to MALP]

Ooops! Sorry.

[holehead]

Are you a member of the pernicious anemia society as you can join for £20 and have access to the support from them and they could advise etc.

[ellj]

I had to start using insulin needles which can be bought in chemists or online....I use 1 ml superfine. I draw up from the vial with a different ( any type ) syringe and needle then transfer to the superfine one so it stays very sharp and goes in easily. Pinch the skin a bit and in it goes.

Have had the odd lump where I inject which like yours disperses over 24 or so hours, no problem.

Good luck.

[MALP in reply to ellj]

Thanks, I use the small orange needles that I believe many diabetics use (about an inch long), and draw up with another larger needle, I also pinch the skin but am still encountering this problem. I am a Type 1 diabetic and the insulin needles I have are tiny and would be no good for the B12.

[Lisahelen]

For subcut i hold my skin 'together' and use a finer orange needle to inject, and it pools under the skin after injecting- think thats because of the quantity put there.

[anna4969]

Hi Malp, are you injecting intramuscular or subq? I'm not familiar with an orange needle as mine are light blue 25 gauge and I inject in the lateral thigh as well but IM. If you are injecting IM, I was taught to use the free hand to stretch your skin so it is taut. Picture this: your thumb and first finger form the letter "C" as you are stretching the skin. That way there really is no give on your skin because your are making it tight. This might help. Let me know if you don't understand what I mean and again this would be for intramuscular injecting.

[potter5]

Hello, I have not commented on the site before but have searched many times for help and information and feel I am no longer in the wilderness. I know how crucial it is to be able to have your own injections. My partner injects me, 2 or 3 times weekly into top of my arms, he stretches my skin slightly, holds the barrel of the syringe firmly and inserts the needle with a wrist action almost like a dart action which is quick and goes through the skin easily 90 degree angle. I am 64 with thin arms. I use a BD Microlance 25 gauge, 16mm long, orange colour needles. Rather than pushing your needle in, use your wrist action and this should penetrate your skin easier. Also stretching your skin should prevent leakage when the needle is removed and your skin relaxed. If the needle hasn't gone quite deep enough you will get the fluid pooling. I understand the B12 is better absorbed when it goes into the muscle. I hope this is helpful

[kirsten555]

I use the fine yellow needles to self inject subcutaneously (having drawn up with a green one) and I always do it into the flesh on my stomach, alternating sides, a couple of inches out from my belly button. Maybe you'd find your stomach easier too? I go in at an angle - not sure if this is correct, but it doesn't seem to cause any issues and I don't get the pooling. Hope you can sort it out - good luck!

[Eowyn1]

well you are younger than I am! Here are 2 tips that changed everything for me: use the short - 0.5mm x 25mm needles for diabetics (actual needle is only 1 inch long!) and a tip I found on youtube that has saved the day for me ---- with thumb and forefinger gently push down on thigh and stretch the skin then insert needle -- I am a big baby and most times cannot feel a thing when I do this trick. Also I use one needle to draw out solution and a new one to inject. Hope this helps.