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It Shouldn't Hurt: how to solve a few self-injection problems

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support
15 Replies

Firstly, I am no expert. I am just someone who had B12 deficiency, and eventually, reluctantly, had to self inject in order to effectively control my B12 deficiency symptoms.

I have now been self injecting since 2017 and I am still increasingly able to control my symptoms. This is not the same thing as a cure, and not all symptoms for all people are reversible .

For those who have not had the benefit of being taught how to do this by a GP or nurse, there are an astonishing amount of videos online. Conflicting advice and fear and anxiety (which can be "normal" or a B12 deficiency symptom or both) really doesn't help. What if you choose the wrong person, what if they don't know what they are talking about ? Without doubt, it is a scarey thing to do.

I was inept at first - no, really rubbish at it, being honest.

These are the things that I learned:

1) Clean:

Make sure the area you are using is clean. Make sure you don't expose equipment to air until ready.

2) Relax:

This is virtually impossible the first few times -and I think the main reason it goes pear-shaped initially. Give yourself plenty of time. You may need to tense muscles in order to ensure you know where you are heading, but then relax muscles fully so it doesn't feel like a fight at all. Have all your kit ready.

3) Stinging:

Stinging can be from using pre-injection wipes (not everyone does) and then not waiting for the skin in injection site to dry out.

Stinging can also occur if there is a droplet of B12 remaining at the tip of the needle when injecting, so flick the syringe to remove it first.

4) Aching:

Aching when injecting can be caused by B12 being kept in the fridge, then used without warming up sufficiently: the liquid thickens when cold. Some have advised putting the ampoule in their bra just while getting their equipment ready. Not useful for all of us, but a nice image.

Aching can also be due to injecting too quickly: pressing the plunger of the syringe sloooowly and smoothly will prevent this.

5) Bleeding:

The only time I bled significantly was early on: on removing the needle, blood immediately spurted in a huge arc across the duvet ! It lasted just long enough for me to panic - a few seconds that felt like a lifetime - then stopped. I must have hit a small blood vessel. Unfortunately, at the time, I was demonstrating to my partner how simple self injection is !

Yes, I get the occasional dribble of blood run down my leg or a small bruise later. But rarely. I think waiting a second to remove needle smoothly, and slight pressure after on injection site might prevent this.

You can also cut yourself when breaking the ampoule. I never have, even when I smashed one to smithereens. This is because I followed youtube advice from a man with sensible pants (precisely why I chose him above the multitude of others):

"use the syringe wrapper; wrap this around the ampoule top and then snap it back, away from you, with the dot on the neck of the glass ampoule facing you."

6) Sensitivity:

I think that my skin becomes more sensitive after a bath, so I inject before not after.

I very recently read on here that if you stretch your injection-site skin out with thumb and forefinger while you are injecting, it lessens likelihood of pain. It works for me, but may be a step too far initially. Too many parts to the process, and not enough hands !

7) Insensitivity:

I try to alternate between left and right legs. It isn't easy to lean across and do "the other one" but if you keep using exactly the same area on the same leg, and have to self inject frequently (not everyone does) or for a very long time, skin might start to get more difficult to get through with the needle. Finer needles may be more useful, but there is an increased risk of needle breaking allegedly - I have never "gone thinner", and do not know the statistics on this.

8) Time:

In time, it does get easier. At first, I think most of us rush to get it over with. You learn the best time of day for you and where your best places are.

If it hurts at all, or you feel like you are hitting stone, just stop.

Pull out the needle, breathe, relax, try again somewhere else.

It shouldn't hurt.

Don't forget the treat afterwards - you've earned it !

PS: I'm not medically trained and this is just what I have picked up by having to do this often, from sound advice from people here -and from the man with the sensible pants in the youtube video !

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Cherylclaire profile image
Cherylclaire
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15 Replies
topazrat profile image
topazrat

Ampoule snappers are great for avoiding cut fingers. They are only a couple of pounds to buy. I just wish they had been around when I was nursing many years ago. Would've prevented lots of cut fingers.

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply totopazrat

I agree . i invested in a metal one , and it opens the ampoule so very cleanly . Breaks it open and makes absolutely no shards at all . Before I used it , I was always bothered in case a tiny shard would get into the syringe and get injected . I really recommended them . No more cutting oneself either .

LizWilsonpa profile image
LizWilsonpa

Thanks for this - I self-inject every other day and it’s changed my life around. Lots of thanks go to those who post on here.

I find that sometimes it hurts - and other times it doesn’t - even though I feel I follow the advice on here. I think therefore it may be helpful for me to review and check I am actually doing what I think I am! 😊

Can I check - on 1 Clean, why do you say ‘Make sure you don't expose equipment to air until ready.’ I usually get everything unwrapped before I start and wonder if I shouldn’t.

Thanks.

deniseinmilden profile image
deniseinmilden in reply toLizWilsonpa

Getting things ready when you are about to do your jab is just part of what you have to do - a couple of minutes or so is fine. What Cherylclaire means is don't have it knocking around for hours beforehand.

To be honest I only take mine out of their package as I use them so I don't even put anything down - but I've done so many jabs now I'm a bit blasé and never think about "preparing myself" I just get on with it as I get drrssed in the morning and I'm usually thinking about 10 other things at the same time... One of the major advantages of lots of jabs is that my brain works enough these days to be able to think of 10 things! At one time I just couldn't think at all! 😃

LizWilsonpa profile image
LizWilsonpa in reply todeniseinmilden

Ah thank you, that’s reassuring. I have got to a point where I sort of enjoy the process, a pause as I start my day!! Weird. Not when it stings though! And yes - great to celebrate being able to actually think!!

deniseinmilden profile image
deniseinmilden

Thank you so much for this!

I replied straight away but somehow lost my reply, sorry!

This is brilliant and several things you said made me chuckle! The lighter side to sticking a hypodermic in your leg! 😁

It will be great to be able to signpost people to it easily in future. I really appreciate the extra details you've added into this one as well.

It's really informative but accessible too.

Thank you! 👍 x

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support in reply todeniseinmilden

TI'm just trying to remember what scared me most about "doing it wrong" in the beginning: - bleeding to death after hitting a major artery ?

- bubbles in the bloodstream causing the bends ?

Luckily it really never occurred to me to worry about glass particles !

It's not exactly like cleaning your teeth, is it ?

We forget about what it was that was so stressful - but I clearly remember thinking I was sufficiently relaxed so injected part-way, then hit a nerve ( I'm guessing ) which made my leg twitch so hard it pushed the needle straight back out again !

annmarierodnes profile image
annmarierodnes

Some times the leg whose turn it is is quite sensitive so I inject in to the other. And on those occasions when injecting is uncomfortable I use the trick I learnt from using a TENS machine, that light sensations on the skin, like tickling, gentle scratching, can reach our brain quicker than pain and so masks the pain. Works for me. Hope this might work for others. If even for one other, this is small payback for the wonderful advice and support I get from this forum. Reckon I would be bed-ridden if waiting 2 months between each NHS B12 injection!

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support in reply toannmarierodnes

So get someone to tickle you while you do it ? Hahahaha !

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10

Hi Cherylclaire,

Great post. I know SI can be anxiety provoking and requires dexterity. That can be problematic if you have hand tremors, poor grip due to PA/B12D or other illnesses or just feeling daunted by the process.

So, I suggest being methodical - take it step by step.

My right hand is my dominant hand. I still ‘work’ from right to left.

1) After cleaning area.

2) Put kitchen roll down - 2 sheets.

3) Good hand wash and drying.

4) Set up in the order of : (sorry lefties - feel free to do opposite)

a) Green needle - drawing up needle

b) 2 ml syringe

c) For those who need - an ampule snapper.

d) Vitamin B12

e) Injecting needle (orange/purple - s.c./i.m.)

f) Sharps box - I place central.

I then go back to start at the right - opening wrapping, syringe into needle etc, opening B12, discard glass vial top, draw up, removing drawing up needle, attaching injecting needle !! Phew - That’s a lot of steps to do isn’t it.

Please note I do not have an ampule snapper so have substituted a ‘scissors’ - it’s actually a clamp I didn’t steal it - my Dad was a G.P.

Once you are left with just the injection, fold one part of the kitchen roll over to hide the syringe. I recommend taking 2 minutes to compose yourself and breath before good hand washing/drying and administering it.

Sending my best

Simple tips for SI
Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support in reply toNarwhal10

You are so organised, Narwhal10 !I've always used a blue needle for injecting. So long ago now it's habit and I can't even remember why.

For anyone not sure why we use two needles - the first one is longer and can get the last bits of B12 sucked up from the ampoule. That will now have been blunted by touching the glass bottom. Then the injecting needle - very sharp and shorter.

How do you know what length to use?

Squeeze an area of thigh with thumb and forefinger and pull away from muscle -make sure it's not just skin. Measure the tissue (forefinger to thumb) and for intramuscular injections, your needle should be 2/3 of that measurement. For subcutaneous (of which I have no experience), it's 1/3 of that measurement.

I found this info on unionmedico website.

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10 in reply toCherylclaire

Yes absolutely regarding needle size. Apologies if anyone uses different needles that I have not included- my mistake.

The clue is - I still ‘work’ right to left. (Trained that way ☺️).

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support in reply toNarwhal10

Makes perfect sense to me.

rogergee profile image
rogergee

I love number 5!

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support in reply torogergee

That also strangely makes perfect sense to me. There are numbers or combinations that just jar.

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