Best area for injection

[Cummie75]

Hi, I've been paying £35 for b12 injections over and above the inadequate one every three months my GP will give me so I ordered all the equipment I need to self inject and was wondering if there's a specific area on the thigh that's best for it, thanks in advance

[wedgewood]

You have made such a good decision . I’ve been self injecting B12 for 7 years now( weekly) ,after receiving inadequate injections fromNHS GP , after having to obtain a positive P.A. Result for the Intrinsic Factor Antibodies test , and it’s made all the difference to my life , I use the INTRAMUSCULAR method ( I.M.) Some people use the Subcutaneous method ( Sub-cut ) I prefer I,M. I inject into the outer middle third of the thigh , where the Vastus Lateralis muscle comes closest to the surface . Use a fine needle 25G x 1 inch ( or 25mm) for injection . I find using a long needle say 1 1/2 inches long to withdraw the B12 from the 1ml ampoule easiest . I cannot use the injection needle to withdraw because it’s difficult for me to avoid touching the tip on the glass therefore making it blunt ( Ouch!) I swap legs each time I inject . I’ve never had any problems in 7 years .Obviously if you use sub-cut method, you can use any part of your thigh into the fat layer, using a 30G x 1/2 inch needle to inject .

Best of luck and good wishes .

[Cummie75 in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you for the advice, I ordered the needles to do the IM injections. I do a lot of running and had been struggling with my recovery after running and was breathless just walking upstairs but felt a lot better after my initial loading dose but that only lasted a month or so so hopefully I can get back to feeling like I did then, thank you again for your advice

[Katanaqui]

Echoing both good replies above, I use a 23G or 25G 1" needle in my thigh to IM, or I also inject in my outer upper arm (like where you get vaccinated) with max 1" needles and 1ml doses.

I think when I first started, I found some useful guides on needle size and injection sites on BD's website (a needle/syringe brand in the UK)

[wedgewood]

I recommend buying an ampoule snapper . It breaks the ampoule open very cleanly without making awful sharp shards of glass . I did twice cut myself badly before I had one . I invested in a metal one ( About £20 from Amazon . ) But there are plastic ones that are cheaper .