Sub cutaneous 1 inch needle too big?

[Bonjourtristesse]

Hi all, since the private injections I was paying for are no longer an option looks like I’m reluctantly joining the SI contingent. I bought 25g 1 inch needles to inject but it seems like they might be too long? I presume I could just insert the needle part way? Or should I buy different needles? Thanks.

[Nackapan]

I'm using yellow 30G 1/2 " needles for sc.

Some use 25 to 30.G

A different needle to draw up b12

I'm using green 21g as the nurses use that .

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks Nackapan. Is there any reason I can't just insert the needle part way do you think? Do you inject in your stomach fat?

[Nackapan in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

I dont know as I've never done that

I've used my stomach once so far. Had to be at least 2" away from belly button.

Did thigh today. Upper outer.

I'm a novice but it didnt hurt at all this a.m

If you use that needle perhaps use your thigh as safer . Used for IM

Only my opinion obviously

Google needle sizes

Also look through posts

Hope it goes well

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks for your help.

[waveylines in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

My needles are yellow too. Green for pull up as instructed by nurse.

I guess if you feel confident you could part insert. The reason why they are short is because you are injecting into the fat not muscle.

Also by injecting into the fat you have four areas to cycle round. I think the one inch ones are for injecting into muscle which is the standard way.......in that case you inject into you thigh. Ive never done that so cant advise you further.

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to waveylines]

Yes, I can see it might be easier to just stab and go rather than making sure you don't push into far. I will report back. Next time I think I'll get shorter needles.

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to waveylines]

How long are your sub q needles please?

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Nackapan]

How long are your sub q needles please?

[waveylines in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

They are yellow, 5/8"

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to waveylines]

Thank you!

[waveylines in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

For SI you pinch the tissue then inject into that. There are several u tube videos that show the process that are very helpful.

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to waveylines]

Thank you. I watched about 5 yesterday to try and desensitise myself. Just struggling to get over the idea that I’m doing something I shouldn’t I think. My dr ‘guaranteed’ that the effect is psychosomatic so I feel a little crazy which doesn’t help. But I have pins and needles and I’m exhausted which is motivating me to try.

[Nackapan in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

I struggled too. Even asked people to.post a picture of the box si I k ow it was the same.

First time I held my flesh too tight. That hurt more than the needle.

Put it in lightly. Dart action . Then push in fluid slowly and pull out needle slowly.

My husband has type 1 diabetes and injects 4× a day. Has a pen now but used to do it like I am now.

He sat with me . I could hardly make a fuss lol

I also stabbed myself with the needle as I forgot to put the top back on.

Tap the ampoule so fluid at bottom

White for facing you.

Hold with cotton pad and snap back.

I found that difficult as took more strength than I thought.

I now have a 'snapper' 2 forum members recommended.

Its brilliant.

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you for your reassurance, I will buy a snapper. I don't think I would be so nervous if my GP would support me. I watched a German video and the woman said 'I got my b12 tested, it was in the grey zone, so my doctor told me to buy 10 ampoules and inject 5 a week for 2 weeks subcutaneously.' I thought 'ha, if only it were that easy!!'

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

Just found that Nackapan you use 27-30g used. 5/8 or I think 1/2". Added here in case someone else is looking.

[Nackapan in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

The range is from 27 to 30G

My needles are yellow 30G 1/2 inch long

[Nackapan in reply to Nackapan]

For subcutaneous

[Nackapan in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

1/2 inch

[Hidden]

I use that needle for injecting into the mid outer thigh muscle. It goes in fully, perpendicular to the surface, usually without pain and has worked well for the past couple of years. I also make a note of date and time of each injection plus which leg so that I can alternate legs for each injection. My routine is to wipe the area with a pre-injection alcohol swab which allows to to evaporate off while I prepare the syringe, draw up and change needles then inject. I also have a spot plaster ready to cover the site afterwards. This is how the practice nurse taught me when I first started self injection after the second loading dose.

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Hidden]

Thanks maybe I’ll add a note to where I found the recommendations on here that 1 inch is too long for sub cutaneous.

[Hidden in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

I missed out the removal of all air from the syringe before injecting.

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for being so thorough!

[Hidden in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

I have only once not removed the air from the syringe and realised as I was pushing the plunger and it felt odd. It was of course too late. It felt a bit strange and almost sore but there wasn’t any other repercussions. It was many months ago and it made sure I didn’t forget again.

There are articles posted on the net which suggest it isn’t a problem with intramuscular injections but I would much rather not take any chances. Being in charge yourself of such vital treatment for this debilitating and ultimately deadly condition is too important to have it taken away.

[Showgem]

I use that size for intermuscular in my outer thigh. It’s too long for subcutaneous into your stomach. If you try to put it halfway in it will probably go all the way in when you inject anyway.

Injecting into the thigh is fine. I’ve never done subcutaneous, but it’s pushing the needle in at first that can be difficult not how deep it goes in.

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Showgem]

Thanks that makes sense and really helpful about not being able to insert part way. For some reason the idea of self injecting IM makes me feel sick. Do you aspirate beforehand? I have read it’s not necessary for thigh.

[Showgem in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

No I've never aspirated and neither have the nurses at my surgery. I think it's only if you're injecting into a vein that it's necessary.

I know how you feel, the first time is the worse, you have to just go on and do it and get your life back.

[Miss-guineapig]

I use blue but these go in deeper, more like intramuscular than subcutaneous. The orange smaller needles are totally fine, I wouldn't put half way in, I would still insert as deep as you are comprtable . Keep well x

[Miss-guineapig]

...meant to say, just keep practicing what works for you, either way you will absorb it. It's more important that you learn to overcome fear than worry about how deep the needle is at this moment. Good luck x

[Tonyworks]

Hi, I am new to self injecting. I too bought 1 inch needles. I was going Subcutaneous but thought they were a little long , so I just went IM .

No problem at all I just went to the top third of out leg. The important thing is to get the b12 in. Do not think too hard about it, just do it. I went in at a slight angle. I don't think it really matters. Much better than the nurse as I can control the speed in the injection, nice and slow with no pain. The nurse always seemed to go too quickly with all sizes of needles and it would often be very painfull!

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Tonyworks]

I have bought shorter ones now. I think jabbing oneself with a needle is unnatural so the shorter the better as far as I'm concerned!

[Xena2202]

Those would work for intramuscular. If you want subcutaneous, I would get insulin syringes, they are easy to get online and in pharmacies with no prescription. It would also work for subcutaneous, you’d want to go about halfway in with that

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Xena2202]

Thank you, I’ve ordered some half inch. All the insulin syringes I could find were all in one and I couldn’t work out how you’d change the needle after drawing up?

[Xena2202 in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

For some reason I think they are designed that way, where you use the same needle to draw and give the shot. I guess maybe for insulin it’s not a problem

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Xena2202]

Ah, ok, thanks. Fingers crossed the half inch ones will be ok. They’ve not arrived yet.