Pain and Numbness after injections - Pernicious Anaemi...

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Pain and Numbness after injections

BethCam profile image
8 Replies

I have been having some moderate pain/throbbing down my arm after injections. This starts about 5 minutes after the injection, subsides to a numb feeling, and eventually feeling weak for a few hours. I don’t think it is an allergic reaction, however it is lasting longer each time.

I am in the us. Had 6 shots 1/week. Followed by monthly. After the second monthly switched to 2 weeks. I have had 3 shots since. I alternate arms. It is just those three that have hurt. Is this something that will eventually fade or just need to get used to? Anyone experiencing this that has tips for easing the discomfort?

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BethCam profile image
BethCam
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8 Replies
Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

I'm on 2 weekly b12 injections. My left arm got very sore so I gave it a break for 6 weeks and hd them in my right arm. I also try not to lie on the arm that's been I ejected

I've tried icing the arm before injections that for mr helped any bruising.

Also keep your arms moving . But not over using if you sore.

I can go weeks and weeks without any problems

I've probably had about 70 now.

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood

Iv’e not had this problem , but I can sympathise with you.

You could try using a numbing cream on your arm .

You could ask the nurse to inject into your thigh instead of your arm . As a self injector , that is where I inject ,into alternating thighs . It’s a larger area than that available on the arm . I think that the muscle involved is called the vastus lateralis , and it is closest to the surface at the middle outside third of the thigh .

Another possibility is to ask for the injection to be made sub-cutaneously into the stomach . B12 can be injected sub -cutaneously just as successfully as Intra-muscularly. It's worth a try . Best wishes .

BethCam profile image
BethCam in reply towedgewood

i get my injections while out shopping, arms being used but not over used. No lying down soon after. This has happened in both arms, given by different people so shouldnt be just bad job injecting or sore muscle from previous injection. The only option i was given besides arm was hip. However if a different nurse is at the clinic next week i will ask about the thigh. It is not an injection site pain but a deep pain throughout the arm and does not start until several minutes after the injection.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply toBethCam

Perhaps stop for a while after it and have a drink or something . See if that helps. I've hD bruising at the site but its inner muscle pain I've also had. Check the size needle to your weight?

A doctor did one and squeezed my arm as mine not fleshy. That ached less ??

Are you changing needles after you’ve filled the syringe, prior to injecting?

On another note, I’m in the USA as well and you are the first person I e heard of to get 6 shots in one week! Did your Dr recommend that or did you need to push for it?

BethCam profile image
BethCam

6shots 1 per week. And no, none of the nurses have ever changed the needle

BethCam profile image
BethCam in reply toBethCam

Cime to think of it, the first 6 shots were done at the neurologist and the nurse had them prepared when she entered the room. The rest were at a walk in clinic where i saw them prepare it. I will look into this. Thank you.

SouthSounder profile image
SouthSounder

I live in WA state. I've given myself about 65 injections since June 2019. 25 gauge 1" needles. Like Wedgewood, I do alternating thighs. Full muscle jab all the way in, never subcutaneously. The only time I've had any discomfort has been if I don't let the alcohol fully evaporate before injecting, which can really sting for a bit. If anything, I've been quite surprised at how pain free the process is. There's no need to change needles after filling the syringe/before injecting. If anything this unnecessary extra handling is another opportunity for a problem, plus wasting that 2nd needle & syringe.

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