Trouble with b12 jabs : Hi just... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

31,804 members22,933 posts

Trouble with b12 jabs

Davies06 profile image
22 Replies

Hi just wondering if anyone else gets trouble with getting the needle to pierce skin when having there b12 injections? Recently when having shots in top of my arm it’s as though my skin has gone like leather ? Every visit it’s the opposite arm from the previous time , just wondering is there anything I could do to make it less painful? ( moisturise my skin most nights so know that it’s not that)

Written by
Davies06 profile image
Davies06
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
22 Replies
wedgewood profile image
wedgewood

Do you use a separate needle to withdraw the 12 from the ampoule ! If you use the injection needle to withdraw the B12, and you accidentally touch the glass on the side or the bottom , you will make the needle blunt , and that will make the injection more difficult . I use a long , coarse needle to withdraw the B12 - 21G x 1 1/2 inches , and a finer , shorter needle 25G x 1 inch . I also use the outer middle third of my thigh where the Vastus Lateralis muscle comes closest to the surface .Its a much larger area than the arm . I swap thighs each time . You can get a numbing cream ( Amazon)

You could also consider using the sub- cutaneous method of injection . I don’t use it , but you use an even finer and shorter needle for this - 30G x 1/2 inch . You inject either into your tummy fat or your thigh . I’ve never used this method , it many members do . I’m sure that you will get more suggestions . Best wishes .

Davies06 profile image
Davies06 in reply to wedgewood

Thanks for your reply Wedgwood I’m sure I’ve seen the nurse changing the needle after withdrawing from ampoule ... it seems the more I’ve had the shot the tougher my skin is getting , as if it knows what’s coming and putting barrier up lol! Thanks so much for your help x

in reply to Davies06

I think you’ve hit it in the head Davies06 I’m exactly the same.ive did over 50 injections now and I dread each one I hate needles,when I first started to do them it was like putting the needle into butter I felt nothing,now because I’m so uptight because I resent having to do them I know for sure I’m tense and even though I have very thin skin on my body ,I inject into upper arm,it hurts more as I can feel the resistance as I’m pushing needle in.i agree it’s probably tension don’t put any moisturisers etc on the injecting site in case of bacteria just keep it clean ,I don’t use swabs as they sting.

Try and relax and physc yourself up to accept it I know from experience easier said that done,good luck x

Davies06 profile image
Davies06 in reply to

thats the thing I’m really not bothered about having them at all I have a high pain threshold and feel I am quite relaxed when I’m about to get it .... unless my body thinks otherwise x I have thought about injecting myself but not confident at all ! Thanks thrones much appreciated x

in reply to Davies06

If it’s the nurse doing it then I found yes that did hurt more,I think it’s probably like white coat syndrome and we don’t realise it.

I much prefer doing my own but I also prefer the arm,I had to get my 3 monthly dose from nurse this week and it really hurt and bled,I did my own yesterday and wasn’t anywhere near as bad but I still hate doing them lol.

Davies06 profile image
Davies06 in reply to

Thanks thrones x

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply to Davies06

If the nurse doing it I've sat waiting with an ice block on the area which can numb it .also check with the nurse it's been out of the fridge to warm up. I wonder if its technique. See if you choose another slot or day if a different nurse does a better job??

Davies06 profile image
Davies06 in reply to Nackapan

I take my shots with me as I have them on prescription and I do not keep them in fridge they are at room temp . I’ve also had the same problem with different nurses . Do u think it’s worth me trying my thigh or stomach ?

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply to Davies06

I do subcutaneous in my thigh and find it less painful then IM the nurses do.in my arm. My daughter has had IM in her thigh and found it better. I've done sc in my stomach okay but not as comfortable as thigh and seems no less or more effective.

Not sure why nurses always use your arm in the surgery. Perhaus less exposure and less chaperone needed.?? District nurses use thigh or arm. ?? In hospital thigh.

Davies06 profile image
Davies06 in reply to Nackapan

Thanks nackpan might suggest it next visit x

ktwing profile image
ktwing in reply to Nackapan

Yes, I find the hip a good alternative site for IM too, and less painful!

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to Davies06

Yes , just change the injection site , or use subcutaneous method -it works just as well .

earthnymph profile image
earthnymph in reply to wedgewood

A nurse recently told me that alcohol swabs toughen the skin. I still use them, I self inject into thigh. The nurse at gp does not use them. Apparently our natural skin flora are ok so long as we’re generally clean. I still like to be doubly sure. I go in slowly and find this hurts less. I let it dry so I don’t get any stinging from the swab. The nurse does it fast and it hurts a lot more. Skinnier needles go in easier. Hope that’s useful?

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to earthnymph

Useful to hear that - Thanks earthnymph .

in reply to wedgewood

Hi Wedgwood, I have been using the 23G x 1inch to self inject (my gp nurse also uses this size). Do you find the 25G x 1inch easier/less painful, and does it take longer for the liquid to be injected?

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to

No , not really . And if it did take longer , it would be a nanosecond slower . B12 ampoules are water-based and flow quickly , unlike oil- based injections . I sometimes use a 27G ( but it’s 1 1/2 inches long , so I don’t insert it fully ) It injects quickly . But I don’t want to inject quickly really . I like to inject slowly . The thinner the needle ( i.e. the higher the G number ) the less painful . But you could always use a numbing cream ( Amazon) . Best wishes .

If you choose to inject sub-cutaneously, you can use a 30G x1/2 inch needle .( medisave )

in reply to wedgewood

That is really helpful, thank you. Injecting slowly works for me too; I will order the 25G needles and then hopefully feel more confident with it all.

Lurcher-lady profile image
Lurcher-lady in reply to

I stab it in quickly, like throwing a dart, then inject the fluid in slowly.......no resistance then ;)

in reply to Lurcher-lady

That's very brave; I will try it next time.

Lurcher-lady profile image
Lurcher-lady in reply to

My doctor did it that way the one time she did it and I realised I didn’t feel anything at all :)

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to

I suppose in a surgery a 23 G needle is useful for oil-based injections as well . So 23G is a multi-purpose needle .I don’t know this , I’m just guessing .

Lizzy86 profile image
Lizzy86

One nurse at my practice said that you needed to alternate the site of the injection for those on frequent injections as the skin/muscles can hardened and become painful - she was the only one and never seen her again [and now am being refused any injections so just keep on the SI - there is one nurse who always bruises me - so I guess in your case you could try having them in the thigh, stomach or buttocks' - we self injectors usually stick to the thigh because it is easier to reach -

You may also like...

Frequency of b12 jabs

lovely people, I am on self administer subcut b12 injections prescribed by GP.. This has worked...

Headaches and exhaustion after B12 jabs.

Basically, I've just finished loading doses, and about 4-6 hours after each jab I get a really bad...

Weird feeling after B12 jab

I have had B12 jabs for about 40 years. In SA you used to be able to get them easily. I used to have

Blood testing Whilst on B12 Jabs 🤷‍♀️

been told I have to have a blood test to check my B12 levels. I refused last year as I have regular...

Diagnosed with pernicious anaemia then taken off B12 jabs

blood tests. Since then I had a serious of injections of B12 over 2 weeks then religiously every 12...