Injected myself this morning for 1st time.

[alison687]

So I finally received my b12 and have done a shot this morning. The trickiest bit was getting a clean break on the ampoules. I have a slight injection Mark, and it did hurt slightly as I was doing it- but I'm a wuss anyway. What is everyone's else's first experiences like? Just so I know that I'm not alone....

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi alison687 congratulations and well done. You may notice a slight increase in heart rate and you may even experience a "worsening" of some of your neurological symptoms, but this is not uncommon nor anything to worry about.

Do you know what your Folate level is?

I am not a medically trained person but have had over 600 B12 injections (I'm on monthly cyanocobamalin) during the past 46 years.

I wish you well.

[alison687 in reply to clivealive]

My folate levels were fine but can't remember the exact number.... my arm feels a bit numb.... which is strange because I injected it into my thigh. Ha ha. Just hope it got to where it needed to get. The needle bit into my skin did not bother me but was when I pushed syringe down that felt odd, but felt this way when I used to have it in my arm at doctors. clivealive it hasn't done you any harm then. I was a bit worried when I read things about cyanocobalamin.

[wedgewood in reply to alison687]

No need to worry about Cynocobalamin as you see from clivealive’s message . I ve been doing S.I FOR 2 1/2 years now once a week , I can hardly remember my first injection , except that I was shaking with fear . But my fear of living with P.A. symptoms ( numb feet , dizziness , confusion , anxiety and general malaise ) was greater . I have found that doing everything slowly is best , and having a really fine needle helps a lot . Someone has messaged about fine dental needles . Perhaps he / she will tell us where to get them . I use 25 gauge 1inch , which is the finest I could find for I.M. .I read somewhere yesterday that it’s good to rub the injection site with an ice-cube before injection. It should numb the site . I’ve never done that because I don’t experience pain there .

But anyhow 3 cheers and congratulations ! But don’t be impatient . Let us know how you get on. 👍👍👍💉💉💉🏅( your medal for bravery )

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to alison687]

The amount of cyanide is infinitesimally small (less than is contained in an apple pip and one would have to chew 200 of them to do any harm). Cyano is widely used in the States and was what I was started on in 1972. I didn't "get on" with the hydroxocobamalin when it was introduced in the 1980s and so stayed with the cyano.

[pvanderaa]

There is a dot on the top portion of the ampoule. Orient the ampoule with the dot towards you and hold it in tissue or paper towel and press the dot with your thumb.

First time I used ampoules, I didn’t know this and somehow i did not find the instructions.

Hope this helps.

[alison687 in reply to pvanderaa]

Thank you. I actually found a YouTube video on how to correctly open it. Just need to convince some friends that this is my only option as the nhs haven't left me with any other.

[deniseinmilden in reply to alison687]

It is for me and hundreds, if not thousands of others too.

They wouldn't sell such a range of the ampoules for doing it if there was no demand for it!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

as pvanderaa says you need to orientate the ampoule so the dot is towards you - I'm right handed so may need to be the other way round if you are left handed but hold the phial in your left hand with the pointy end up and the dot towards you. Push the top part of the ampoule back with the thumb of your right hand - it should just snap.

I'm not sure if it was my first time but I'd completely forgotten about the dot and had huge problems getting in and even succeeded in cutting myself but it was just such a relief to have done the injection (which didn't hurt nearly as much as I was expecting from previous experience with anti-coagulants).

[Hidden]

As above, however there are 2 types of ampoules, the ones with the dot and those with a ring around the narrow neck of the ampoule. As above hold the body firmly in one hand and for those with the dot, orientate this towards you and snap the top off with your thumb and forefinger of the other hand by holding the top and just pushing away from you. Those with the ring need no orientation, just push the top away from you. Re the "pain" it helps to warm the contents up by holding the ampoule in your hand for a few minutes and injecting the fluid slowly.

[Peasncarrots]

I did my first self injection just over 3 weeks ago - was shaking like a leaf! But can honestly say it was no where near as bad as I thought (big thanks to this forum for giving me the courage to give it a go) and now I've done it a few times, there's nothing to it!!! I was recommended a handy little device for opening the ampoules - it does make it really easy - they're available on Amazon for £3.70

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01...

[alison687 in reply to Peasncarrots]

Thanks for this. I'm going to get 1. Xx

[alison687 in reply to alison687]

Thanks for suggesting this. It really is great and breaks the ampoules cleanly

[TheTanya]

Well, I broke my first needle because I didn't know the ampules came with a hard plastic cap. After I got the cap off and used my second needle, it went fine! I was in a hospital lab room, and they kindly let me dispose of the ampule and needles in their sharps bin.

[TheTanya]

Oh, pro tip a nurse gave me - give the alcohol on your skin time to fully dry before the injection and it will sting a little less.

[janepurser]

Hiya Alison687,

I've been self injecting every other day for a couple of months now and I am just starting to feel improvements.

I used to graze my fingers trying to open the ampoules but now use a folded over tissue to wrap around the top of it. I have the white dot on the ampoule facing away from me and pull the top towards me holding it where the neck meets the body and it usually results in a clean break, sometimes not but at least I don't get cut fingers. I am right handed and hold it in my right hand and break the top off with my left hand.

TheTanya, great tip. Wish I'd known that when I first started injecting, I discovered it by one day being distracted and realising it didn't sting so much.

Cheers

Jane

[alison687]

Thanks for all the comments once again. My leg is a bit achy but I'm sure this is natural and I will be fine xx

[Hidden]

The first time I did it at home and on my own was a bit scary. Just as I pointed the loaded syringe at my leg I had my hand started shaking so I put it down, gave myself a good talking to then picked it up an just did it. Once that was done then no problem the next time. It was the second time I shattered the ampoule and the pharmacist thinks most people break at least one - that can be a useful excuse for reordering the supplies from the GP earlier than you should.

So well done for joining the growing ranks of the independents.