Self injecting - tips please

Hi,

I'm currently on loading injections of B12 until my neuro symptoms go away. There has been some improvement after a few months so that's encouraging - I also recently had a phone consultation with a great NHS gastroenterologist (finally!) after years of being fobbing off and gaslighting by ignorant GPs and consultants.

So I self inject with B12 from Germany and needles from Medisave. The first time I did it I was amazed at how easy and painless it was (outer thigh). Now it's very hit and miss - literally. I usually do it after a bath or shower, leg resting on something low, alternate legs each time. I try to ensure my muscles aren't tensed up. But it seems to be getting more difficult. The needle just won't go in and I end up with lots of holes where I've failed before eventually getting there. I change the needle part way through this performance because it probably gets blunted with all the unsuccessful jabbing.

Admittedly, this has made me reluctant to inject every other day and I'm doing it more like every 4-5. Probably I'm expecting it to be painful so I'm tense and that makes things worse.

We live in a very remote area so nobody to do it for me, and my partner is squeamish. I'm perfectly fine with doing it myself, but just wanted to know if anyone has any tips for making it easier.

Thanks!

[Hidden]

Good morning. Are you using a different needle to draw up the liquid from the ampoules as they tend to get blunt when your doing this then change to a smaller needle to do the actual injection.

I inject into my arms as nurse did I just find it easier but many people have their favourite areas.x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi, yes - I use a withdrawing needle first. I've considered my arm as that's where the nurse used to do it before they stopped my injections in 2012.

Think I'll have to work on getting the angle right!

Sarah x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi again Sarah if you do switch to your arms just use the upper outer of your arm up near your shoulder but make sure you keep your arm relaxed down at your side don’t try and prop it up as this tenses the muscle it’s so easy to do it,ive did around 25 injections now and I was the biggest chicken going,I don’t feel it like I did when nurse did it and even then she wasn’t that bad, it was only one wee nurse was a bit brutal lol.

I use the green to draw it up then change to the orange and it goes all the way in my arm like butter,inject the b12 nice and slow and make sure you warm the ampoules In your bra before you inject it makes it easier and doesent sting like it would straight from nurses fridge,I’m sure you know all this already,did you buy an ampoules cutter from amazon,just over 3 quid and worth every penny.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do x

[mountainice in reply to Hidden]

May I interject and ask how you manage arm as I do thigh but still find myself dreading it after more than a year of every 10 days. I don't know how I would manage in arm as I hang onto the syringe with two hands!

[Hidden in reply to mountainice]

Hi mountainice.

I don’t find it a problem at all and I do not need two hands I just load it all up then put it straight into my arm then slowly push down plunger and I’m actually looking at it as I’m doing it which astounds me as I hate needles.maybe you could try practicing it just using the syringe alone.no needles or fluids.

I don’t dread it because I barely feel it.make sure you loosen up that plunger on the syringe a few times before you do anything else that really helps as some of them can be quite stickyish.just pull it in and out to loosen up then start your needle fitting etc.best of luck.x

[mountainice in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I do loosen the plunger, as you say, it can be a bit 'sticky'. It usually doesn't really hurt, though I have had one big bleed a couple of times ago, bled today a bit too. I hold the syringe with one hand whilst plunging in with the other, I am not sure how I would do it one-handed, though I know people do. I do have loads of thread veins and blue veins on the surface all over my thighs so am always wary where I am putting the needle. I bought 1.25" needles as I was following another group and what someone did, but actually as I am fairly slim and tall I think a 1" would have been sufficient. I always wonder, does it matter if I don't put it in all the way - just as far as a 1" needle would be if I was using one. thank you.

[Hidden in reply to mountainice]

It’s a one inch needle I use in my arm and honestly it just slips in all the way no problems I’ve only every had a small drop of blood once and funny enough that was yesterday because I wasn’t focussing on what I was doing and rushing things but all the other times I’ve never once had a problem.could you maybe try One handed using an orange to practice on just fill syringe with water just to get you used to doing it.if I’m honest I’m the opposite of most people and can’t even contemplate doing my thighs so ive stuck with arms I just find it so easy.keep plodding away you will master it at some stage good luck.x

[mountainice in reply to Hidden]

thank you, good idea to try with an orange!

[briarhillcat]

I am sorry you are experiencing problems. Do you use a different needle to draw the solution up? Then changing to another needle? I think your body is very tense so that does not help, and of course the more you experience problems the more tense your body gets. Hope it gets easier for you. Good Luck. Briarhillcat

[Hidden in reply to briarhillcat]

Hi, yes. I use separate needles. But I agree, I think I must be tensed up. Maybe a G&T first might help!

[wedgewood]

Yes you need to use 2 needles - one to withdraw the B12 from the ampoule , and another to inject . Most people seem to use a 25G. X 1 inch needle to inject . Is yours this gauge ? You could use a numbing cream from Amazon , if you need to .. I also you my thigh - the outer middle third , and alternate .m

[Hidden in reply to wedgewood]

Hi, yes - I use different needles for withdrawing and injecting. 25G x 1" for injecting. I think I struggle to get the right area sometimes and end up stabbing blindly about. Not ideal!

[Nackapan]

I am self injecting subcutaneously using

Needle size 30G 1/2" long.(yellow) green to draw up b12.

Can use 27-30G 5/8 or 1/2 "

Perhaps try that every other one?

I still have monthly IM at the surgery.

I've used my stomach(2 " away from belly button and thighs.

[Sarisoo]

I inject using small needles, so subcut, not IM. That is alot easier.I became too upset to inject IM. It keeps my levels up above 2000 and I haven't noticed any decline with the changeover. For me it works fine.

[Sallyfr]

I was taught to self inject by my surgery. The nurse advised me to slap the area I was going to inject to numb it up a bit before injecting. I have only done a couple so far and it was fine. I really don’t like needles so was pleasantly surprised! Good luck with it.

[ndmaintenance]

Have a look at the auto injector guide from UNION MEDICO based in Denmark it works a treat for me.prepare syringe as normal load into guide position on leg and press button .

[Hidden in reply to ndmaintenance]

Thank you, I will!

[fbirder]

The recommended protocol for those with neurological symptoms is every other day until symptoms no longer improve, not until they go away.

Depending on the severity of the nerve damage, they may never go away. It's also possible that some of the symptoms aren't caused by B12d. In either case you will be injecting needlessly often.

[Hidden in reply to fbirder]

I'm not going into my medical history right now but I have a long history of B12d as well as many investigations (neuro, gastro) and have every reason to believe B12 is the cause.

I was asking for suggestions regarding injecting, not whether and when I should be.

Thank you for your input.

[fbirder in reply to Hidden]

So sorry. I was just trying to point out that your proposed protocol may mean you are injecting way more frequently than you need to.

I'll shit up and ignore you from now on. I suggest you do the same to me.

[Hidden in reply to fbirder]

That was my intention.

[Hidden]

This is new to me but I'm willing to give it a try! Thank you.

[Xena2202]

I’ve used the subcutaneous route with success. It seems to work just as well as IM and is much easier and less stressful. Here is a great resource on that: healthline.com/health/subcu...

The syringe you’d need is an insulin syringe which is very easy to obtain

[Hidden in reply to Xena2202]

Oh, I thought it involved finding a vein - and the thought of that is too much! I'll have a look at the link. Thank you!

[Lurcher-lady]

I find it much easier if I do it as though I’m aiming a dart, never fails. It’s completely painless and you don’t faff around wondering if it’s going to go in etc. Just a quick jab in and you’re done 🙂 You’re not looking for a vein, any more than the nurse does, that’s a different procedure altogether and involves a different area 😉

[jarlethblue]

I tried my thigh and it was too painful....i inject every day with a one inch needle into my tummy, alternating sides....it is pretty painless but then i have lots to inject into!! x