Arm or Thigh, Which is Best

[MoKayD]

I just gave myself my first injection last week. My doctor showed me how to inject into my thigh. Unfortunately my thigh is very well padded so the B12 was injected into a nice layer of fat. I usually feel really good almost immediately after the nurse injects B12 into my arm muscle but after injecting into my thigh I feel kind of "meh". Has anyone noticed a difference in how they feel depending on where they receive their injections?

[Hidden]

Hi MoKayD - I'm currently just under 18 stone so not the thinnest of people - I started self-injecting daily on Saturday using 1.25" needles and used this guide to calculate what length needles I needed:

unionmedico.com/expanded-ne...

I can definitely feel the difference as it goes into the muscle from the fat, a little bit more resistance. During the research I read subcut does take longer to go through your system that's why some do intramuscular instead but then some say if you're regularly subcutting then it's the same, I guess depends how quickly you chomp through your B12!

I also read for some subcutting doesn't work well for their B12, that's why I did IM instead and wasn't as scary as my mind thought it was (although still seems to be in my mind as I type this lol but am doing it ok!).

Hope you find what works well for you.

[MoKayD in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I think I'll have my husband jab me in the arm next time. Though he seems a little too eager to help.

[Hidden in reply to MoKayD]

Haha!

[BethattheBeach in reply to Hidden]

Hidden Thanks for the link, I've found it quite useful to check that my im needle is the correct size.

[Hidden in reply to BethattheBeach]

Excellent! Yeah I'm glad mine worked out at 1.25", I read a few who said 1.5" but I dunno, there seems to be about a foot's difference between the two (I have a green 1.5" wider one for drawing up and looks massive compared to it!). Just did my 5th SI & feel like a pro now - remembered to pull the skin taut this time and no blood or red spot - first one I can still see lol.

I posted a pic of the kit I bought, mostly it's the same stuff as listed on the preferred supplier list on the FB group:

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

[BethattheBeach in reply to Hidden]

Hidden You would be great at stand up comedy! I've just read your post about your first si and had a chuckle. I'd just like to add to be wary of jumping up and rushing off after a jab. I know someone who was given a shot on an empty stomach and she fainted. I just try to make sure I've eaten and after a jab I'm still for 5 minutes. It's not a long time and much better than sleeping half the day away!

I use the blue 23's to im and it seems to work. I gave up swabbing beforehand - even the nurse has stopped that! Warming the ampoule first lessens the sting. I don't use a bandaid but I do have a (make up remover) cotton swab ready for massaging and mopping up!

[Hidden in reply to BethattheBeach]

LOL well let's see if my current want for peace, quietness and space turns into a need to make a fool out of myself on stage in front of a drunk audience! Up until a year ago I lived about 50 yards away from Komedia in Brighton where they do the stand-up courses, I do think they're good for confidence-boosting. I used to review stand-up comedy for my uni newspaper until I dropped out, and went to hundreds of shows when I lived in Brighton - not made Edinburgh yet though would love to! Guess I've got a few stories to tell... who knows what the future might bring

As for the energy, yes I've realised I've got to be a lot more careful and in control. I was accident prone as a kid and always thought it was cos I was in such a rush to get through life I'd crash into things. I also warm up the ampoule now after seeing that mentioned in the FB group, although they said some put it in their bra so I replied that I thought I'd bought all I needed lol. And today's the first day I didn't need to use a bandaid, must be because I remembered to pull the skin taught, guess it made it easier to pierce through.

[ryzo]

I have always been injected by my nurse in the top of my bottom to give it a location, it's where they started too when I ended up nearly dead in hospital with all my organs closing down that was 14 years ago I had to go to another nurse once and she said she didn't inject in the hip and I refused it in the arm (wimp still detest needles).

[Retren]

MokayD you probably did not go deep enough the needle might not be the right size. The absorption as a result probably took longer.

[Lizreds1]

If you get your husband to inject you, the very best place is in your bum, upper outer edge, not a lot of nerves in your bum, injecting in your shoulder can be more tricky! I have done subcutaneous and im, l like subcutaneous as it's a gentle slowker release than I.m,

Try both and see what works best fir you

[MoKayD in reply to Lizreds1]

I kind of like that sudden rush I get when the nurse injects the B12 into my arm muscle. I don't get that feeling when it is injected in to fat.

[Bristlyridge]

I started injecting IM in my thigh, but now inject in my arm which I prefer. I think it is a case of whatever works best for you personally.