Can SI into thigh risk damaging nerves in legs?

[PointOfReference]

Can SI to thigh hit nerves and damage them and risks paralysis in legs?

[wedgewood]

I ve been injecting B12 weekly into my thighs for 6 years .( Vastus Lateralis muscle ) I have never had any problems whatsoever. I’ve not heard any mention of anything like that on this forum either

[PointOfReference in reply to wedgewood]

Thanks, that's reassuring. Hopefully its nearly impossible to affect nerves. And if so, Im sure the pain would tell you!

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to PointOfReference]

If you do it in the right place, which I believe is the outer third of the middle third of the leg I believe it’s safe if you’re following reasonable precautions. I do sub cutaneous now though. youtu.be/XFog6uSwbuw(Not working as expected?)

[ACritical in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

Me too. Works, with thin gauge needle.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

As a rather inept but frequent self-injector for the past 4 years, I can say "no" - because surely, I'd have done it by now !

Just today, I made a pig's ear of it and ended up bleeding on the carpet. This is not a usual occurrence any more luckily.

In the past, I have not only nicked blood vessels on the way out, I've also had such a sudden strong leg-twitch when trying to insert the needle, it has pushed the needle out again ! Well, that's got to be nerve-related, surely ?

Hardly ever experienced pain - the only risk appears to be embarrassing yourself in front of others:

The very first time I demonstrated self-injection to my partner, I pulled the needle out and an arc of blood spurted rather dramatically over the duvet cover - OOPS. Luckily did not last long, but now I prefer to keep my ineptitude to myself.

I swear my blood vessels are never where I left them last !

[Irenekkkk in reply to Cherylclaire]

I did the same thing the first time I self injected in my thigh! I think it was because I was too far out on the leg... At that time I wasn’t sure if it was the b12 or blood squirting out 😆 It has never happened again since though! Thank goodness.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Irenekkkk]

Yes, I remember thinking "please don't let this be the B12" - how sad is that ?

[Irenekkkk in reply to Cherylclaire]

😂

[PointOfReference in reply to Cherylclaire]

Thanks!

How often do you SI?

I wondered if daily injections on alternating thighs could lead to damage or pressure on the femoral nerve that could result in leg or muscle weakness?

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to PointOfReference]

I now inject every three days although I spent a couple of years on EOD frequency first.Alternating thighs is probably the ideal, but as bad as I am doing right leg, I'm so much worse doing left leg. Seems too twisted a position if right-handed and seems harder to relax muscle sufficiently or get the right angle.

So I'd guess that I probably favour right leg 3:1 in truth.

Easier life.

I had muscle weakness in both legs and arms due to B12 deficiency anyway, so I doubt I'd notice ! Seriously, arms used to shake just trying to make the bed -so had to do it in stages. Oddly, legs would shake only when standing still - preparing dinner for example.

In fact, I did not feel any of the first 8 months' worth of NHS injections at all, so couldn't tell if the nurse had finished already or not yet started. I can remember how happy I was when I actually felt one happen for the first time, just before Christmas. After about 3 months of 2 injections a week. Like a gift of improvement, my arms finally woke up! That was in 2016. There has been continued slow progress since. A lot lately I feel.

That would indicate no additional damage from frequent injecting, but I'm just one person- and have no information on that either being a possibility or, if so, any relevant statistics. I cannot recall anyone posting about this as a problem and it has never occurred to me to consider it.

It might be worth using the search facility (top r/h of HU bar) to check that.

Can you discuss your concerns with your GP or nurse ?

[deniseinmilden]

Millions of people inject there for all sorts of reasons/treatments, including cancer drugs, fertility treatments, arthritis drugs, and all sorts, without any problems you describe and so it's about as safe as you can get.

I've been SI daily for over 6 years now and my legs are miles better than they were!

[PointOfReference in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thanks!

Do you alternate thighs with your daily injections? I wondered if the daily impact of injections could risk harm to the femoral nerve?

Do you have any precautions or techniques to avoid hitting nerves?

[Brokenbutbeautiful]

If you do a quick google on “best place for IM injection on thighs” it will show pictures of where the “safe zone” is. When I was working in home health and patients and/or their families would ask, that is what I would show them. I hope if you do search this, you’re provided with good reassuring photos that show the ease of locating the best area. It can seem intimidating at first, but once you get past that very first one, you’ll be Golden!

[Auntya]

If your worried then try a subcutaneous jab in your belly, works just as well.