Site reactions

[Funtimefrankie]

I’m self injecting B12 from reputable German chemist. I had no reaction from my first injection but every one after I’ve developed a small ( 10p sized) slightly itchy, red mark at injection site should I be concerned?

[fbirder]

Intramuscular or subcutaneous?

Needle length?

[Funtimefrankie in reply to fbirder]

Sorry, I should have said - subcutaneous

[Funtimefrankie in reply to Funtimefrankie]

And orange needle - 25G X 5/6 0.5 x 26mm. I got the recommendations for needles here.

[fbirder in reply to Funtimefrankie]

It could be that you're not actually getting into the fat, but are injecting subdermally - between the bottom layer of the skin and the fat. The B12 is pooling in the gap between these layers. It will still make its way into the blood.

Unfortunately I'm not au fait with SC injections, so I don't know the proper technique.

[Funtimefrankie in reply to fbirder]

Thanks so much for your help. It might be why the first time I injected, there was no reaction - possibly I was more successful getting the B12 into the fat.

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Funtimefrankie]

Where are you injecting? I think I read something before about ‘b12 tattoos’ when injecting under the skin which seems to match what fbirder is saying. If I recall it was about people injecting under the skin. Also what angle are you injecting at?

[Funtimefrankie in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

I’m injecting into my tummy. The first time I did it when I didn’t react, I went straight in so a 90 degree angle which I learned was incorrect. About 30 minutes after this injection I could taste the B12 in my mouth quite strongly. Further injections have been at 45 degrees and all have had site reactions and I’ve not tasted the B12 at all.

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Funtimefrankie]

I would suspect the angle. I’ve read different things about the angle, but the majority said you only need to do 45 degrees if there isn’t enough fat. I think you’re not injecting into the fat layer but rather as fbirder said under the skin. I always do 90 degrees but I do have quite a lot of fat on my stomach.

I’m curious as to where you’ve seen 90 degrees as incorrect. The instructions vary quite a lot depending on which guidelines you look at. Most I have seen say something like the below:

drugs.com/cg/how-to-give-a-...

How do I give a subcutaneous injection?

Subcutaneous injections can be given straight in at a 90 degree angle or at a 45 degree angle. Give the injection at a 90 degree angle if you can grasp 2 inches of skin between your thumb and first finger. If you can grasp only 1 inch of skin, give the injection at a 45 degree angle.

[Funtimefrankie in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

Thanks so much for your reply. The 90 degree thing was on YouTube - I realise now it wasn’t correct. I’ve just done a B12 shot (90 degrees) I will see if I have a reaction.

[fbirder in reply to Funtimefrankie]

I really doubt that you could taste it. Especially as it takes a few hours to get from the injection site into the blood.

[Funtimefrankie in reply to fbirder]

Pretty certain it was the B12 I tasted. It was very strong. Apparently this happens to some people, some times?

[Funtimefrankie in reply to fbirder]

Search Results

Featured snippet from the web

Tasting the nutrients following a shot is common. It can happen on occasion or not at all, it depends on the individual + different factors. It's nothing to worry about … it's just an indication of how quickly the shots get absorbed + transported throughout the body.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS — B BAR®

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Funtimefrankie]

I have never tasted any kind of reaction, not to say you can't obviously. But I'm not sure that it would be a problem if you could, unless you've seen something to the contrary?

[Funtimefrankie in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

No, not a problem at all. I was trying to highlight the fact that the only time I didn’t have a site reaction, I tasted the B12 in the back of my throat.

[fbirder in reply to Funtimefrankie]

Yup, there is lots of nonsense on the interwebs.

When I searched I found a load of people convinced that they could taste metal after a B12 shot because it was detoxing heavy metals from their body.

There is much more evidence for anxiety causing a metallic taste.

About 30 years ago I was involved in a bad crash where a motorbike was on my side of the road coming round a corner. Even now, if I see a bike coming around a corner on a country road I can suddenly taste old copper pennies.

[Funtimefrankie in reply to fbirder]

I never even knew this could happen when I first ever injected B12. I wasn’t expecting anything. The taste wasn’t totally metallic . I knew instantly it was related to the injection. I actually panicked when I noticed it because I thought something was up. I’d never experienced it before or since but I’m convinced it was the B12 - I’d put money on it. I searched after the fact and found many health professionals are aware of such happenings so I don’t find it strange or far fetched. We know you can rub garlic on your feet and later taste it your mouth - down to Allicin having properties of both oil and water maybe but the fact it only sits on the skin and travels through the blood stream and can be tasted in the mouth is interesting. I do respect your opinion and am grateful for your help.

[fbirder in reply to Funtimefrankie]

Allicin is a very small molecule, so it can easily cross biological membranes, with a very strong flavour.

B12 is a very large molecule, so it cannot cross biological membranes unaided, and has no discernible smell. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydro....

[Funtimefrankie in reply to fbirder]

The other interesting thing that happened the same day I had my first B12 shot is I slept for 9 hours and 53 mins! I’d not slept much more than 5 hours for maybe 6 years. I learned later B12 helps with the bodies natural rhythms. I now get around 8 hours a night!

[Nackapan in reply to Funtimefrankie]

Well the sleep.is good! I've never tasted b12 but can taste anxiety and fear.

I do sc . I sometimes get a small pink mark or even a small bruise

.i uses 30G 1/2inch long.

I use my stomach 2" away from belly button at least.

Also thighs

If it helps you can hold a small roll of skin to inject into. I go in at 90deg

For the first time today it bled. .

If you uses a wipe you might have a skin reaction from that?

Do the fat pinch test to determine length of needle. Hope it goes well.

Mine has certainly gone in ad I'm still awake . Opposite to you.

[Funtimefrankie in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks for your reply. I’m not sure why I haven’t considered injecting into the thigh area. It’s certainly easier to access and there more fat... think I’ll do this next time! Thanks for that!

It could be a reaction from the wipe but I’ve never had a problem before when having other injections at the hospital or my surgery... still, it’s possible.

I’ve just checked my tummy and again there is some kind of reaction - it’s oblong but about the size of a 10 pence piece if that makes sense. It’s a little itchy but nothing major.

As long as it’s not an allergic reaction to the b12, I can live with it. It normally goes away in a few days. I’m considering paying for an injection at a local chemist just to see if I have the same reaction... wondering if a different brand might make a difference? I admit I’m pretty ignorant to all this as it pretty new to me.

[Emmers5 in reply to Funtimefrankie]

I have definitely experienced the metallic taste after being badly startled. I figured it was adrenaline or something similar, fight or flight kind of reaction. Very strong flavor, can't forget it.