I am new to self-injecting. I self-inject IM in the thigh with a 25 gauge 1 1/2" needle. I use an 18 gauge 1" to draw up and then change to the finer, longer needle. Before Saturday, I had done 4 by myself, including the first in the doctor's office with the nurse that taught me. The other 3 at home went very smoothly. This week I couldn't not do it for anything! I wasn't rushed, nervous etc. I would start the injection and it was so painful just barely in my skin. I tried four times, changing the needle and site each time, even switching thighs, but couldn't make it happen. I ended up having my neighbor who is a nurse just do it for me in my arm. So incredibly frustrating as the first four were pretty easy.
Questions:
- Has this happened to you?
- Any tips for working through it?
- If you self-inject IM in your thigh, do you go slow or fast (like a dart)? I was taught slow and it is what I have been doing that has worked so well.
- Do you pinch the muscle or not?
Any advice or comments are appreciated! Thank you!
Written by
lambuth_eagle
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I’m afraid that you will get lots of different answers .! You could use a finer needle — a 25G x 1inch , Unless you have very fat thighs , one inch should be perfectly adequate , as the Vastus Lateralis muscle runs quite near the surface in the outer middle third of the thigh .
. I use a 1 1/2 inch to draw up . I use a “dart “ action for the initial injection , but inject slowly . After withdrawing the needle , I use an alcohol swab to massage the injection site , and prevent any injection liquid from escaping .
You’ve just had a little “blip” after your initial success . You will regain your confidence again . Occasionally , I experience a little hesitation , which holds me back for a second or two , so Its probably like that feeling that you had .
Hang on in there. It’s probably not good to know that you have someone to fall back on if you can’t persuade yourself to self inject .! If you didn’t have that possibility , you would probably not have any hesitation ,as the alternative would be the thought of how ill you would eventually feel without the injection ……….. Very best wishes .
I completely agree with the comment of having someone to fall back on. My thighs were looking like pin cushions before I gave in and went next door. I've had a few people tell me the 1" would be fine but the pharmacist and nurse said 1 1/2" and now I have 90 of those, so... I'm 130 and 5'2.
You are much slighter built than I am , and a 1 inch needle is fine for me ! If you can afford it , scrap those 23G X1 1/2 “ and get some 25G x 1inch ! I know that size is commonly used by members of this forum for S.I.. You will notice the difference !
The 1 1/2" is already 25 gauge. Do you think going down in length to 1" will still make a difference even though the gauge is the same? I want to be sure I'm getting good an in the muscle. I'm petite but have "sturdy" thighs.
I’m sorry , I had mistakenly thought the 25 Gauge x 1 1/2. was 23 G . I would use the 25 gauge needle and not inject the full length . . That will save wasting the needles . Apologies .
You don't aspirate? If so how do it? I'm going to give a try to IM injection tomorrow. The problem is I couldn't find finer needle and I have just 1 inch 23g with 3 ml barrel syringe (all just in one pack and no extra needle). But I have 27g 1/2 inch needle too. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything better. I have just use these until I could find proper needle.
I had a good run then started to muck them up I think either over thinked if or 'cocky' not sure.
I do subcutaneous injections that might be an alternative to try ?
30G 1/2 needle.
I do hold a pinch of flesh.
I would hold it flat in think for IM a the nurse does.
Worth trying a shorter finer needle
Hope next one goes well.
Hi, I agree with Wedgewood. I bought the 1 1/2 by mistake and found it much harder and more painful than the 1" so I scrapped them. I'm 5ft 7 and 135lbs. I wish you well ❤️
Sometimes it hurts for me and sometimes it doesnt. I definitely stretch the skin with the other hand. I also warm the vial carefully in my hand while I get ready, it definitely helps.
I have only done it once so far, but delighted with the ease having been afraid for so long. I am 5ft 6ins, less than 8 stone and use 2ml 23gm needle and syringe for drawing up and 1” fine inch needle for injecting. I am sure you will get your confidence back. I agree with others about better to pretend no-one to rely on.
I sc into my stomach using diabetic needles. Plenty of skin to pinch! I warm the phial in my bra beforehand. I know it isn’t what you asked but I do find it easy and don’t have to change needles etc.
I find that if my leg muscle is taught it does seem harder and more uncomfortable. I tend to relax the muscle with my leg out straight and this helps.
What you are more likely going through is a mental block, telling yourself that it will hurt, even before you push the needle in. In doing so you are probably tensing up making matters worse.
I remember my first time, it took about 30 mins with the needle hovering over my leg to pluck up the courage to essentially stab myself, but once I did it, I wondered why I was so nervous. I do not bother to aspirate or pinch the skin and go in very slowly (about 5 seconds) and then inject the B12 slowly too. Most of the time it is pretty painless, on occasion it might be very slightly uncomfortable but don’t let that put you off.
I’m sure that once you get over the mind games and relax you will be fine. The more you do the easier it will get. What worked for me the first few times was putting a familiar voice on tv or YouTube - this takes the focus away on what you are doing and before you know it, it’s done!
Good luck, a little perseverance now will certainly pay off in the long run and you won’t think twice about SI in the future. It just becomes a ritual, just like making a cup of tea.
Thanks for your response and encouragement. I’m sure I will get over the mental block…I’m determined to do so! The first four I did that went easy, I went slow, not like a dart. I tried going slow on this last one too and it was just so painful then it became a mental thing.
Make sure your thigh is relaxed, you should be able to flop the thigh muscles from side to side when they are relaxed.I'm fairly new to SI and have only had 1 painful jab so far and that was because I was in a rush and wasn't concentrating, I should have planned it better. I tensed up my thigh muscle as I reached to pick up the syringe then carried on with injection without doing what I now call the flop test. I've never made that mistake again.
Straight leg, resting on heel, foot and leg relaxed, decide on injection location, FLOP the thigh muscles from side to side to ensure they are relaxed then go for it.
Personally, I rest the tip of the needle against my skin, take a few breaths, then push the needle in, not a stab but firmly, then inject slowly. I use a 30mm (1.25") but don't insert it fully, I leave about 5mm of the needle still visible.
You've proved you can do it, as the other jabs went OK. Don't be disheartened by 1 painful jab, focus on the success you had with the others.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Self injecting advice, please
Is self injecting everyday safe? 
Reaction to hydroxocobalamin self injection
First time self injecting
