NEEDLES FOR SELF INJECTING B12

[contentedmum]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and I've had a really good look through previous questions and comments but I'd just like a little more clarity if possible.

I'm based in the UK and getting absolutely nowhere with any GP I've ever been to. I've now found myself a functional medicine gp and she has just advised me to self inject with b12. She has given me the link to a German pharmacy and I now have those in my possession... the ampoules not the pharmacy

My issues are the differing advice on the needles. Blue, grey, orange, green? Use 2 or use 1, to use antibac wipes or not to use? My brain function is already on minimum and this is sending me over the edge ;-p

Any advice, words of wisdom, videos, web links and. most importantly what needles you use would be most greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Nackapan]

Firstly how bad is that tiur injections being denied. Please do persevere with your Gp

Second fly how do you intend to inject. ?

IM

Or Sc

Medisave is one place tiu can get your needles from

For IM the nurse uses 23G I think 1" long

Blue

You need another needle to draw up the b1e say a green 21G needle.

A 2ml syringe comparable to needle

A sharps box. I bought mone from a pharmacy £1.70

I uses an ampoule cutter snap it as I find that bit hard?

Some use finer needles but they can break if not experienced do at tour own risk.

? I haven't sent links

If you press the magnifying g gkass at the top and type in the second box you will come to many posts with links.

[contentedmum in reply to Nackapan]

My gp’s over the last 15 years have ignored everything I’ve taken to them and now I don’t go. I have found a functional medicine gp who has suggested it fora particular protocol as I have MTHFR and poor methylation. It’s all part of a bigger plan with diet and lifestyle changes.

Inject via tummy or thigh. I’m still yet to figure which is best MI or SC?

Thanks for reply. I currently have all of those in my Medisave trolley 👍🏻

[Nackapan in reply to contentedmum]

I have both IM and SC. I wasnr sure as before self injecting had all IM.

More sc now as I find them easier

The IM ones at the surgery are more painful. The b12 I think goes in quicker most on here find doing it themselves UM less painful than nurse in the arm

I do injections frequently so dont knw if IM stays in tour system longer. .??I personally prefer the b12 going in a bit more slowly as so sensitive.

.

[contentedmum in reply to Nackapan]

I had read somewhere that IM is much quicker than SC?

I also have quite sensitive skin and feel things some others don’t plus petrified of needles 🙈 so SC May be the way to go?

[Nackapan in reply to contentedmum]

Suits me and seemingly just as effective you can always change. Nothing set in stone. Hope all goes well.

[contentedmum in reply to Nackapan]

Smaller needle sounds way more doable for me 🙈 Thanks

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi contentedmum

I purchased an hundred of each

Green needles to draw up the b12 21G

Blue needles to inject 23G

from

medisave.co.uk/consumables-...

I wish you well

[Nackapan in reply to clivealive]

Thanks.

Hope your self Injecting going okay.

Oh your wife does it so probably an expert now.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Nackapan]

Gill has taken up darts and hasn't missed once yet

I am so thin and wizened she does has difficulty finding any muscles but yes she's happy getting her own back on me for when she had cancer in 2007 and I had to give her neupogen injections due to chemo sickness.

[Nackapan in reply to clivealive]

Perhaps you could try Subcutaneous if it gets too difficult? Or you eat some more potatoes and rice pudding lol

Oh good she getting her own back😄 .

I

[contentedmum in reply to clivealive]

Thanks. How did you come to use those needles. I’ve also seen grey long and orange short ones Recomended? I guess it’s based on thickness of needle?

[wedgewood in reply to contentedmum]

If you decide to use I.M. ( Intra Muscular) I would use a 25 x 1 inch injection needle . The higher the G number , the finer the needle , B12 is a thin , water-based liquid and flows easily through a fine needle . If you decide to use S.C . -( a sub-cutanaeous injection ) , use a 30G x 1/2 inch needle . Use a long needle to extract the liquid from the ampoule e.g. 21G x 1 1/2 inch . It’s said that we don’t need to use an alcohol swab , but I do , from habit . It is also useful to use it to wrap around the glass ampoule when breaking it open at the weak spot marked on the neck . That will help avoid a nasty cut on the glass . Read all about the 2 methods of injection by googling the information. You can also find videos on Utube , some good , some poor . Best of luck to you . 👍🍀

[Nackapan in reply to wedgewood]

Hope you dont mind me jumping in. My daughter Is struggling with 3 monthly b12 injections at her surgery and pushing for more.

Might well start self injecting but would prefer doing it IM as the nurse does. Shes articulate and not squeamish so in your opinion is 25G x1" more comfortable?

I am not confident to do IM myself so would value your opinion.

[wedgewood in reply to Nackapan]

Yes , 25G is finer than 23, and as B12 is a liquid , it flows easily through a fine needle .

[Nackapan in reply to wedgewood]

I'll tell her.

Thank you

I've only had 23G at the surgery for IM . Which she has too.

Nothing like personal experience .

[Mollieharry in reply to Nackapan]

Nackpan,I just recently started giving myself IM injections and went with what wedgewood said using 25g.took me a wee while to pluck up the courage,looked at a couple of you tube videos.couldnt believe after I done it how painless it was.

[Nackapan in reply to Mollieharry]

That's good. I tell my daughter. I'm happy to stay with sc.

[Showgem in reply to Nackapan]

That’s the size needle I use as it is the same size they use at my surgery. I don’t have much flesh or muscle on my thighs so it is long enough for me for IM

[Nackapan in reply to Showgem]

Oh tour surgery are good. They only use 23G blue 1" at mine as I asked

[contentedmum in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you 🙏🏼 My new doc said inject like a diabetic so I guess that means SC instead of IM? Plus 1/2” needle sounds much less scary 🤣

[Nackapan in reply to contentedmum]

Yes my husband diabetic and injects 4 x a day thats without finger pricks

I had to keep quiet when a few nerves kicked in .🙂🙃he offered to do it but I'm nor as brave as Clivealive

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to contentedmum]

Back in early March my practice nurse after giving me my usual three weekly injection showed my wife Gill how to do it and gave us four complete sets of needles/syringes probably thinking this "thing" would be all over and done with in a couple of months. When we were down to one set I simply went online and ordered the same referenced bits and pieces which come in "one hundreds" at a time.

I think the whole order came to a little over £16 the lot and should keep me going until I'm 84 before I need to re-order

Take care and stay safe

[clivealive Forum Support]

I really don't have a clue - even after all these years - but the practice nurse showed Gill what to do and give or take the occasional "ouch" she's doing well and she did biology at school 55 years ago so knows far more than me

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If you'e in the UK I'd suggest you seek out your local Needle Exchange. You'll find them on Google,

The people there will give you advice, along with free needles -- and probably a sharps-bin etc,

I go to Harlesden Needle Exchange, Cobbold Road NW10 and the people there are absolutely fantastic,