Injecting into thigh

[Annielecurie]

Hi all

I usually inject into my stomach but have read a few posts here about benefits of injecting into side of thigh. I tried this after watching a YouTube video a while back but felt no benefit and wondered if there are videos here which I can watch. I'm starting to wonder if injections into my stomach aren't working as I'm feeling a bit odd - it's not exactly dizziness but my head feels odd, like I'm disorientated if I slightly move my head, what I imagine vertigo must be like (apologies to anyone with vertigo, not minimising it just how I imagine it would feel) and more pronounced tingling in my hands and sore soles of feet. I'm just looking for a trustworthy video to watch to ensure I'm self injecting correctly. I use hydro and supplement my 3 monthly injections from practice nurse with daily to every other day injections. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Nackapan]

Are you doing subcutaneous b12 jections into your stomach? I do those I also do them in my thighs

Your symptoms maybe shaking uo your nervous system

The opposite to what you think perhaus

By injecting more you may be getting g a response.

Worse before better.

I too initially wondered if subcutaneous would be ad effective as intramuscular

I conti used to have IM at the surgery monthly at first .

I now have those about 6 weekly depending on when I can penetrate the system. !!

I've been doing sc at home for a year.

They work.

As long as the b12 gets inti your subcutaneous fat

If the needle too short for your body fat as often been questioned .

I think if a bad bruise it might not be deep enough.

I think it's going in as gave a reaction thars new to you

Only my view obviously and I've no medical knowledge . Just do it and read on it. And observe and listen to nurses most if the time.

[Annielecurie in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks Nackapan. I'm more comfortable injecting into my stomach as I don't think I was injecting into correct part of my thigh. I assume I'm doing sub cut based on previous videos I've watched. I don't want to mention to practice nurse as I was removed from my last GP practice for telling the nurse I was self injecting and she told me I could OD from too much B12. Next thing I know I received a letter from practice advising me to find another practice.

[Nackapan in reply to Annielecurie]

Thars awful. To he honest with then and be treated like that

I had a fight to get it 'sanctioned ' to do subcutaneous at home.

Initially refused as doctor wanted nurses to di it.

Nurses refused to do it and ti teach me.

I could understand as 'off licence'

But to refuse to teach me I was shocked by.

K then with the helonfrom here bought everything . Si worried about them being stopped in covid

Out of the blue

Some time later . I'd written letters ect.

My GP rang saying she would prescribe the ampoules to si at home.

On the understanding I took full responsibility.

Akso to gi into the surgery for IM as and when wanted.

She carried on with 2 weekly .

I had to buy my needkes syringes ect as theres acorobkem with prescribing them??

I didnt bother asking .

I had them already.

Of course have ti okay for prescription which I dint when having them at the surgery. Si saving the NHS nurses time and putting in the pot again.

I personally pleased it's on my medical notes .

Your experience is all too familiar on here.

I uses a 30G yellow needle 1/2 " long. For sc.

27-30 G classed as sc.

IM given in arm or thigh at the surgery use a blue needle 1" long. 23G .

I uses another needke 21g to draw up the b12 as the needle will get blunt if it touches the glass of the vial. Then change it ti inject.

You are doing well

You could always ask again in your new practice. Saying you need more b12 than yoh are given. But in your case I understand why yih would keep quiet about self injecting.

So wrong

All from their ignorance and lack of training in b12

My husband injects insulin and was taught!!

He gave me confidence as used to uses needkes before pens were used.

He Initally very squeamish but needs must

[Annielecurie in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks Nackapan. I use 1ml insulin needles which are packaged as micro fine 29G x 12.7mm. I've always used these needles and am comfortable injecting myself, just not sure if it's benefitting me injecting into thigh if I'm injecting into wrong part of it.

I'm too cynical now to mention at my new practice. The nurse is absolutely lovely but once bitten etc!

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Annielecurie]

If you are doing sub q it should be into the fat in your thigh (mostly along the front). If you Google where diabetics can inject into fat you’ll find diagrams. If you inject IM it’s done into the middle outer third of thigh. There is no ‘benefit’ in injecting into leg rather than stomach.

Diagram of sub q injection sites on body.

[Annielecurie in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

I'm so sorry I didn't thank you at the time for your helpful reply Bonjourtristesse, another indication my B12 levels must have been low. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Nackapan in reply to Annielecurie]

Oh I didnt mean to mention self injecting. I meant to ask for more b12 on prescription. I use outer upper thigh alot as need to rotate injection sites.

Anywhere theres subcutaneous fat.

Diagram above great

[fbirder]

If it's not leaking out then it shouldn't matter where you inject it. It will still get into the bloodstream.

[Annielecurie in reply to fbirder]

Thanks for this fbirder and apologies I didn't acknowledge at the time. It's reassuring to know that I'm still getting the benefits from self injecting.