Trouble with b12 jabs

[Davies06]

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)

[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 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

[Hidden 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 in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden 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 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks thrones x

[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 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 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 in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks nackpan might suggest it next visit x

[ktwing in reply to Nackapan]

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

[wedgewood in reply to Davies06]

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

[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 in reply to earthnymph]

Useful to hear that - Thanks earthnymph .

[Hidden 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 in reply to Hidden]

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 )

[Hidden 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 in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to Lurcher-lady]

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

[Lurcher-lady in reply to Hidden]

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

[wedgewood in reply to Hidden]

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]

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 -