I have previously done 3 SI with someone else watching me for moral support. This morning I have done my fist SI without anyone else around. Had to sit a few minutes to build up courage and stupidly cut my finger breaking the ampoule which didn't help.
I don't know what has happened this time as my thigh is a little tender, feels slightly firm and aches in a 2" radius of the injection site. I used a 1.25 " long needle, 23g but didn't insert the whole length, probably only just over 0.75" as the last time I injected I inserted the full length of the needle and the injection hurt more at the time than before but not afterwards.
Did I make the mistake of not using the full needle length. I wouldn't describe myself as slim but not overweight. BM1 23.4 so at the upper end of healthy.
Sorry for the question but I am learning about SI and have no one around for even moral assurance.
Written by
carer999
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Doesn't sound like a mistake with needle insertion...I'm just a little smaller than you and use a 1” needle.
About the ache - could be that you were a little tense when you did the injection. Or perhaps the B12 was a little cold when injected. Or it could be that you nicked a small vein and have a little internal bruising (not a problem, this happens sometimes).
The firm feeling should abate as the B12 is absorbed and distributed in the muscle - massaging the muscle or moving around can help with this.
I occasionally get an achy feeling when I inject - no idea why, could be some of the above - it just happens sometimes.
Problems to look for is if the area becomes hot, swollen, or extremely painful (something well above an achy feeling) - but this type of reaction / complication is very rare.
And yes...it's quite scary if you're new to this and have nobody around for moral support or advice. So just post again if you have any more concerns.
Well done...this does take courage...and it will get easier as you get more proficient and confident.
But oh what a shame that so many of us have to resort to this to get and stay well.
Foggyme thanks for the reassurance. It is better now and I suppose just a little scary at the time as this hadn't happened before. I need to order a proper supply of needles etc to match my B12 supplies.
If you use a 1" and inject to the full length then being smaller than me do you think I continue with 1.25" or would 1" be sufficient. I can see an advantage in inserting the needle the full length as then I know exactly how deep it is. Sorry for the extra question.
Hi carer999. Pleased that it feels better now...fright over 😉.
I have BMI of 21.1, which puts me in about the middle of the 'normal' range. At 23.4, your BMI is towards the top but still within the 'normal' range, so it's likely that you'd be okay with a 1” needle. But it's difficult to say for sure - only you can be the judge of that.
So, unless you have a large layer of subcutaneous tissue around the thighs ('cause we're all different and 'weight' is distributed in different places)...
Use the needle that you're most comfortable injecting with...and sounds like for you, that means using the 1” needle and inserting to the full length. So...unless you have large thighs (sorry to mention it)...based on what you say, go for the 1”.
Just make sure to insert the needle at 90 degrees so it goes directly down into the muscle and not sideways into the subcutaneous 'fatty' layer.
Well done on your own. I occasionally have an issue when withdrawing the needle and the muscle spasms or contracts and the needle comes out at an angle, don't know if the tip can do damage. Really painful thigh after last injection. But all part of it I guess. Some go perfectly and I struggle to find the injection site to pop a plaster on, some have bled several drops. Keep going.👍
I had to double check to see I hadn't written this post myself! I also just started self-injecting, and today was my first time without my husband in the house. And now it's sore every time I take a step. I think that (a) I should be injecting a bit higher and further to the outside of the thigh, (b) I forgot to relax my leg, and (c) I only just read the advice of icing the area a bit first. Oh, and I also got shy at about 3/4 of the way in and didn't inject the full length. One inch seems like a mile when it's a needle you're sticking into your own leg! And I think my hands were shaking a bit.
I used to get allergy shots -- 3/week, subcutaneous, by a nurse who did nothing but give shots all day long. And there were still times when my arm was sore a day later, even from a short subcutaneous needle.
The first time I did it on my own, with my husband's supervision, I jabbed my hand taking the top off the needle, then dropped an ampoule and broke it on the floor. Not an auspicious beginning
I'm hoping this gets easier over time for both of us. I know diabetics who have self-injected for years. I guess it's just something you get used to.
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