Can you recommend a video to show where to inject in thigh intramuscularly

[Scou]

Hello everyone

I have started to inject and I seem to be doing ok but I’m plagued by endless questions that you will probably find daft.

I’m worried I’m injecting in the wrong place on my thigh as I’ve had a little blood come out of the injection site, I’m using a 23 g needle 1 1/4 length. There are so many conflicting videos out there that I’m starting to get a little confused. Would really appreciate your thoughts? Am I using the right needle to inject is it fine enough? Also I usually bleed when the nurse administers the B12 into my upper arm is that normal, put me out of my misery once and for all, 🙏

[fbirder]

When you bleed from the injection site it will be because the needle has passed through one of the veins in the skin on its way down. It's absolutely nothing to worry about.

The needles you are using are fine.

There are two muscles you can use in the thigh - the vastus lateralis on the outside of the thigh or the rectus femoris on the top of the thigh. Here's a diagram - b12vitaminstore.com/pub/med...

Imagine the thigh is split into three, equal sized, lengths. You want to inject in the middle part of either muscle.

[Scou in reply to fbirder]

Thank you for your time and patience in replying it’s steadied me and helped to stop the endless thoughts that come into my head which is normal I guess until I get that confidence that I’m doing ok because I’ve got this far so I must be ok 👍

[Litatamon]

Before I started self-injecting I thought I had to get everything in order - air out, not bleeding, this, that. A pharmacist helped me in an instant - she told me none of these warnings were any big deal at all. Obviously look into avoiding them. But she meant if they happened, they happened. Nothing to give so much thought to, over time.

As far as the muscle to use, fbirder has already covered that.

The only thing I can add is relax your muscle.

[Scou in reply to Litatamon]

Thank you Litatamon it really helps people like like myself to be able to turn to people like you who have the time and patience to get the newbies to stop doubting themselves, thank you

[Litatamon in reply to Scou]

You're welcome Scou. I remember the emotions of trying to figure everything out. Vividly.

I am so very thankful for that pharmacist. Sometimes blunt comments are a necessity. She cleared everything in an instant.

Not to mention adding in looking at me with a "What is this woman going on about?" face.😁

All the best.

[Scou in reply to Litatamon]

Thanks Litatamon wise words indeed thank you

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

What makes it hurt:

- Not waiting for antiseptic wipe to dry on leg before injecting (if using)- stings on injecting

- Leaving a drop of B12 on the tip of the needle after air removal - stings on injecting

-B12 not warmed up enough when taken out of fridge - liquid thickens when cold

-Not relaxing muscles enough - makes inserting last bit of needle very difficult

-Forgetting to change from green to blue needle (so using a longer, thicker needle that has been blunted on the bottom of the glass ampoule when drawing up all the B12)

-Once needle is in, not depressing syringe slowly and smoothly - aches

It shouldn't hurt you. If it ever does, it is usually because of one of the above.

Mostly with me, it was an inability to relax muscles sufficiently. Now, if anything hurts, I just stop and try somewhere else. Sometimes, one leg just isn't in the mood, so try the other one. It took me a while to stop being rubbish at it - anxiety and rushing it I think !

Worst case: sometimes, it might bleed a bit for a short time after removing needle. Just means you've hit/scraped a small blood vessel on the way.

I use the middle third of outer thigh- either one, but find right one easier as I'm right-handed.

No question is daft - it's preparation.

[Litatamon in reply to Cherylclaire]

What a great post Cherylclaire. 🌺

[Scou]

Hi Cherylclaire thank you for taking the time to comment and allowing us newbies some of your well earned hints and tips it really does make a difference thank you

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Scou]

I got a huge amount of support here, when I was really struggling, despite a very tenacious and caring GP- so little help out there for them, too -so just passing it on, because I remember exactly what it felt like to have to do this.

Even consultants, ones that you would expect to have some clue, have told me that B12 is "toxic, carcinogenic, and highly addictive" - not to mention a recognition of the "euphoria of self-injection" (????)

- this is all really difficult to argue against when you are relying on these experts to help you, when you have used virtually all your energy up just getting to your appointment- and when none of this ever gets a mention in feedback to your GP.

Take someone with you - that is my strong advice. If I could've taken my GP, believe me, I would have. That would have been interesting: how the other half live.