I use 1" x 25g Orange based ones and they are just fine for IM.
The injection medium isn't viscous so should be ok in your 30gauge. They might need a bit more push though. You will be injection Sub Cutaneously so I think I read somewhere it takes a little longer for absorbtion.
I am just another B12 sufferer Mandlou so anything I write is merely what I have learned about myself and what I have gleaned from such as this website. Hydroxocobalamin is what most people use here and I have noticed some on this website do use it subcutaneously. There isn't anything I have found to suggest you shouldn't and as you say you feel better with it then that is a reasonable indication it is OK for you. I have always injected I.M. and that works fine for me.
I hope you feel much better after you do your injections.
Are you in UK ? If so the local pharmacy give you needles and syringes etc free in a pack.
Ask if they do injection packs, It’s called a steroid pack for inter muscular injection. They give them to drug users so they can inject safely, rather than catching diseases and infections which the NHS then have to treat.
My local pharmacy does give them, I don’t know if yours do.
If you say you need a steroid injection pack they give it to you and only take your initials and postcode.
You can get more than 1 pack at a time. If they ask you what you’re using them for tell them for Vitamin B12 injections.
I didn't know about this, so must check it out, thanks for sharing. I bring needles and syringes from work as I am a health visitor sshhhh....The local chemist gives me a cynbin for used needles x
Hi - I’ve used the needle exchange service for this. HOWEVER.... the last time I went in (just to change my sharps bin) there were different people there and they told me that actually the service is NOT for people injecting B12. I have also heard of lots of people that have been refused the equipment after telling them it’s for B12! I managed to get my sharps bin (and now my dr has prescribed it for me and I’ve started buying the needles etc as they are really, really cheap) on that occasion but by admitting it was for B12 they could have refused!
So I’d personally suggest testing the water by calling up your local needle exchange (google needle exchange and your home town/city) in advance and asking if they can help provide the equipment for B12 injections. If they say no, you then still have the option of going in and pretending that you are injecting steroids.
Goodness that sounds harsh re sharp bin, is that in Scotland? I have no trouble at all, I return my used bin to the local chemist and they give me a new one. Isn't it strange how services differ x
I have used orange and blue, both perfect, agree with Kcbreks post too. I work as a health visitor so just to reassure you both work perfectly well. Keep well x
The needles cannot possibly make a difference to how it feels! The only way it could affect it is if you previously did IM injections and this time did SC. B12 is designed to be injected intramuscularly so it’s better if you can do it that way.
Are you taking all of your cofactors? Folic acid, B Complex, Vitamin D, Magnesium, K2 and iron? If not, this could be the problem!
Did you have to have a break from injections when you ran out? If you did it may just be you need to get it built up in your system again.
I use 30g, 6mm. It's now known that subcut can be very shallow and shallow is preferable to deeper injection. There is no viscosity, it's easy and painless (especially if you warm the B12 unto an arm or a boob, depending on age and state of dress!)
You shouldn't feel unwell due to needle size at all, it's not significant. Maybe see your GP as you may have a virus or something else going on, big hugs x
Thanks , yes I think maybe I have s virus or something I have run out of multi vitamin which had folate in maybe I’m noticing that .. had a lot of worry last week still feel drained from that maybe x thankyou
How often do you inject? You may have had a folate crash reading this if you’ve been relying on the folate/folic acid in a multivitamin as there simply isn’t enough in them.
You need your folate level to be in the top quartile of the range to be optimal. If you are having injections more than once a month, you need larger doses of folic acid to keep your level up. Without folate, the B12 does absolutely nothing! You may as well be injecting water.
If you are on alternate day or daily injections, you need 5mg folic acid daily. If less often, the amount can be reduced - although you want it to get into the optimal range first so you may need to take 5mg for a couple of months.
FYI, folic acid/folate is water soluble and you will pee out any excess - so you don’t need to worry about taking too much.
I’ve got 1000 folate don’t know if it’s mg that would be too much have to check when home .. yes maybe that or potassium .. the multi I got again and did help a bit do may be that yes thanks x
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