Confused - SC or IM injections

[Ctadds1]

I inject At home weekly. I’ve been reading a lot of Info about the 2 types of injections. My B12 comes in a little tiny glass bottle and I draw the liquid out with a syringe. My husband gives me my shots in my upper arms. Honestly neither of us know the proper way to do this and until today I didn’t think it mattered much. Can someone please explain to me the best/safest way to administer my injections. I’ve been reading that necrosis is a possibility if injections aren’t done correctly. This is obviously concerning because I know I will probably need weekly injections for the rest of my life. I’m not afraid of needles or pain or anything like that. I just want to know what is safest.

Thank you!

[wedgewood]

Both I.M. And S,C. are safe . I also inject weekly and have done so for 6 years . It’s best if you spread the injection sites so that you don’t repeatedly inject into the same area every time . If you Google for diagrams you will see that there are plenty of areas where you can inject - Dont always inject into the arm . I self inject I.M. into alternating thighs ,and make a note of which side I use . Where the Vastus Lateralis is near to the surface is a quite large area -the outside middle third of the thigh . You can also inject S.C. which also works . Look up all the possible sites . You obviously have more choice if someone is injecting you .

[Hamayeshguy in reply to wedgewood]

Can you elaborate IM injection because I want switch to IM. I think IM is more manageable. Absorption is fast and more accountable. I had bruise and lump in SC without injection to the same spot. And it takes eight days to completely get absorbed so I can't make my injection more frequent but in IM seems don't have the same problems.

[wedgewood in reply to Hamayeshguy]

Here is some information. A lot of it you don’t need , so just scroll down until you find what you want .

Help for Pernicious Anaemia/B12 deficient patients and others wanting to self-inject .

ALWAYS MAINTAIN ABSOLUTE HYGIENE WHEN SELF-INJECTING

Sites for pharmacies that ship,to U.K.

B12 ( Hydrocobalamin) single use ampoules can be obtained from some German online pharmacies . B12 ampoules are an over the counter item in German pharmacies. These pharmacies are strictly controlled by the German Ministry of Health , so no cause for concern. No prescription need in Germany . ( how enlightened ) . Many members of our forum obtain their B12 ampoules from these pharmacies , and they are very reliable . I really recommend registering at the pharmacies .

I have a separate list of German online pharmacies who will ship to U.K. as many German online pharmacies have stopped supplying the U.K. because life has been made difficult for them by HM customs

Search for Panpharma B12 depot Don’t forget “depot”.,( Hydroxocobalamin)

The ampoules are 1mg x 1ml . You can use the reference number - 16199653, which will take you straight to that item

Hevert , another company produces 1mg x 2ml ampoules .

Pascoe manufactures 1.5mg x 1 ml ampoules .

Every German pharmaceutical item has a reference number printed on the packet . It is called a PZN. You can search for your required item by using this number . It takes you straight to the item . For 1 packet of 10 ampoules , or multiples thereof the number is 16199653. You cannot use these numbers when ordering from amazon.de.

Needles , syringes , swabs and sharps disposal boxes are obtainable from medisave.co.uk

I buy long withdrawal needles 21G x 1 1/2 inches . The withdrawing process makes the needle blunt when it touches the bottom of the ampoule ( ouch!)

I use a 25G x1inch needle for injecting .

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SITES THAT SHIP TO U.S.A.

I have it on good authority that the following German pharmacy is good and reliable for U.S. members . Courier costs the same , no matter how many you order . English translation available from a Drop-down list at bottom of the page .

apohealth.de Stock Hevert B12 depot- single use ampoules ( Hydroxocobalamin) 1mg x 2ml

vitaminb12online.com This is an Australian company that supplies Cynocobalamin , Hydroxocobalamin and Methylcobalamin in single use ampoules ,in kits or just packs of ampoules .Takes ages to ship .

buy-otc.com in Canada supply vials ( not single use ampoules ) of Cynocobalamin

vitaminquick.com in U.S.A. supply Methylcobalamin with syringes .

biosenseclinic.com in Canada supply 10 and 30 ml vials of Cynocobalamin.

Needles, syringes etc allegromedica..com In U.S.A.

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I spread a piece of fresh paper towel on a clean surface , and lay out all I need onto it . Having washed my hands before commencing .

Open the ampoule using a swab wrapped around it , to avoid nasty cuts . The weakest spot on the ampoule is marked with a spot on the neck .If you have a problem with this procedure, a device called an ampoule opener , about £4.00 is obtainable from amazon.co.uk

exchangesupplies.org also supply needles and syringes .

To inject Intra muscularly (I.M.)

I use a 2ml syringe , although the ampoule I use is 1ml. This ensures that I get every last drop of precious B12 into the syringe . Flick the ampoule to ensure that the B12 is in the bottom , and break it open at the point marked on the neck ( a dot) Put the long withdrawing needle on the end of the syringe . I then pull out the plunger on the syringe , and inject air SLOWLY into the ampoule . Then , when the plunger is fully pulled out , every last drop of B12 is in the syringe . Now the injection needle ( 25G x 1 inch) is put on the syringe and all the air in the syringe is expelled by depressing the plunger , until a tiny bead of B12 appears on the tip of the needle 💉.

Now you are ready to inject into the middle outside third of your thigh , where the muscle is nearest the surface ( Vastus Lateralis ) . Inject at an angle of 90 degrees . You can see other suitable injection areas for I.M. by googling for them . I keep an account of which side I inject .I inject weekly , and have had no problems in 6 years . Only once did I nit a blood vessel . The blood spurted out , but I just pressed on the spot for a minute or so , and all was well .

Put needles into your yellow sharps disposal box.

Dispose of other remains in general waste "

If you are needle phobic , there is help in the shape of a device called an Auto-injector costing about £100.00 at the moment ( 2020) This is available at a Danish company - unionmedico.com l

I don’t use one , but I’ve heard good reports .

If you do want to order one , be aware that the device takes a specific size of syringe etc. So wait and find out before you order any from medisave etc

Also if you are needle sensitive , a numbing cream can be used ( Amazon)

I swap thighs each time I inject .

The above method is I.M. ( Intra -muscular ) and you can find videos about it on Utube . Some OK , some awful.

You can also inject sub-cutaneously ( sub-cut) A much shorter needle is used .( 30G x 1/2 Inch ) I know nothing about it , except that it is an accepted way of injecting B12 .

If you are having a B12 injection for the first time , you should have someone nearby , in case of anaphylactic shock . This is a very rare reaction , but I feel obliged to tell you .

Do not worry about overdosing on Vitamin B12 -you cannot . It’s a proven fact.

I have been self -injecting for 6 years now , but I do remember how very nervous I was the first time . I was shaking like a leaf . I don’t turn a hair now . It has changed my life . Don’t be impatient . Also some people feel worse before they start to feel better .

Remember to include vitamin B9 in your daily diet ( also know as folate in food -green leafy vegetables, peas etc. ) In tablet form it’s known as folic acid . A modest 400 mcg tablet daily would be good . It cannot be stored in the body for long . B9 works synergistically with B12

If you have Pernicious Anaemia, it’s a good idea to take a multivitamin and mineral tablet , as you will have low or no stomach acid . Hypochlorhydria/Achlorhydria, because the P.A. antibodies interfere with stomach acid production as well as Intrinsic Factor . So absorption of vitamins and minerals can be inhibited .

P.A.patients might also benefit from probiotic -rich foods like organic raw sauerkraut, kimchi , kefir, real yoghurt and kombucha drinks as lack of stomach acid can upset stomach flora and lead to gut problems , which probiotics can help with... Failing that a probiotic preparation — capsules etc.

Chewing really thoroughly and taking smaller meals more often can be beneficial for someone with low stomach acid . The enzymes in saliva can get to work on starting to break down the food .

Pernicious Anaemia patients should also be aware that it is an auto-immune condition, and as such , rarely comes alone .The most common “ companion” is a thyroid condition . But there are many many more, including my companion , rheumatoid arthritis .

Very best wishes .

[Nackapan]

I have IM b12 injections by the nurses at the surgery .I do Sc at home.

I've done this for over a year now .

Trying to see if any real difference in effect.

For me I think the IM ones can go in more quickly but don't seem to last any longer.

The nurses do them in the arm.

Sometimes painless sometimes really hurt and bruise.

The Sc ones I I alternate between thighs stomach fat 2" away from belly button and hips.

I tend to hold a small roll of flesh for sc.

Wheras I've noted fir IM the flesh is made flat. (Not thst I've ever done one)

I'm actually having fewer IM ones now .

6 weekly. As have a prescription for b12 as well as buying it.

Always using single dose 1mg/1ml

Hydroxocobalamin.

This forum helped me to source last yesr

.

Both are safe ways if done correctly.

In my experience both as effective

[Gambit62 Administrator]

The only reports I have come across involving necrosis with SQ B12 injections were formulations that used oil as the suspension. Your injections are saline based so there shouldn't be a problem.