not painful...then agony

[jillc39]

I am lucky enough to have a community nurse visit every 10 days for a b12 injections (long story about why). The first injection in my thigh was ok but this time when she came I almost fainted with the pain. Can anyone explain this? She was concerned enough to ring my up in the afternoon to see if I was alright! of course once the injection was over it very quickly felt okay. Any ideas?

[Nackapan]

You've had so much trouble with pain from injections.

It shouldt be as bad. My daughter said the community nurse did here in the thigh and she found it less painful than her arms now at the surgery.

If it's the actual going in you could buy numbing local anaesthetic cream.

Unless it was bad technique again . Or you extra sensitive?

The nurse must gave some reasons as gives them alot I expect. Perhaps ask for a finer needle ?

Sorry yet another painful one for you.

I've had very painful ones. I've also had almost painless.

[Sunshine1932]

Oddly I cannot inject into my right thigh as it too hurts but I feel pain that it hits a nerve and it's very weird. I would like to point out that I also have sciatic pain in my right leg from time to time and I believe I only got it when I started to self inject.

Or perhaps I only noticed it at this point

My left leg however has absolutely no issues and I self inject once a week into my thigh.

Maybe there is no connection and it's just a coincidence but thought I would share.

[deniseinmilden]

Ah ha... The blessings of self injecting!

Yes, occasionally I come across a spot which is mind-blowingly painful but, because I do my own jabs I can just pull a face, say "ow" a lot and try moving the needle over a bit - or even swapping legs!

Every so often one leg just won't have it, while another time it'll be painless while the other one is super-sensitive. Sometimes it's just one localised spot that's uncooperative!

After 5 years of daily jabs I've learnt not to argue - I just poke about until I find a painless spot, even if it means using the same leg a few days running. I know the other one will "volunteer" again soon.

Next time, if it makes you want to say "ow" (or worse!) just ask your nurse to try another spot. Sometimes you only need to move a few mm away.

Get her (or him!) to rest the tip on your leg and if it feels OK then insert the needle very slowly and then press the plunger equally slowly. Compared to the travelling, etc, the injection itself takes no time so encourage them to be patient and get it right for you.

It's usually OK so you will be very unlucky if you get two bad ones in a row.

[HopetoB12better in reply to deniseinmilden]

“Volunteer” LOL! That was funny! I needed that! 🤣

[chill234]

I’ve given up on injecting my legs because it not only hurts, it leaves lumps. I’ve gone to sub-cu injections in my stomach, which sometimes really sting but are generally better. Some people are just super sensitive I think

[jillc39]

Thank you all for your very helpful messages. ~Fingers crossed for next time.