SI query

[Dp2000]

Hi sorry to post again, just tried to SI into my leg. It was quite hard to get it in then as I was pushing the plunger it stopped after about 1/3 had gone in and wouldn’t go further. So I waited 10 seconds, pulled the needle out and blood poured down my leg, it was on the floor too. It’s ok now. It was definitely blood. I’m on blood thinning tablets which doesn’t help.

Anyway I used to inject blood thinners into my stomach and found it ok. Does anyone know if it’s possible to use the 25g x 1 inch needle into my stomach fat instead? Just a bit concerned I hit a vein in my leg. I have a previous history of blood clots.

Thank you

[Nackapan]

I would only do a subcutaneous injections in your stomach at least 2 inches away from belly button. Ax only needs to go in fatty tissue.

A much finer shorter needle is needed.

1/2"

27-30G

The needle you have is for IM into your outer thigh or upper arm muscle.

Get advice from a medic if possible if unsure

[Dp2000 in reply to Nackapan]

That’s great thank you, I’ll give my leg another go tonight x

[EllaNore in reply to Nackapan]

My pharmacist was nice enough to give me instructions and told me what to watch for as far as infection etc. He even converted my ml dose to cc's because the diabetic syringes I use are in cc's. Perhaps your pharmacist will show you how to inject properly and which needle is best for you. Good luck.

[Dp2000 in reply to EllaNore]

Thanks I’ll ask next time I can get there, tested positive for covid a few hours ago grrr

[Nackapan in reply to Dp2000]

Definitely get your b12 injection done then. Hope it's a mild case of covid

[EllaNore in reply to Dp2000]

Oh shoot are you ok?

[Nackapan in reply to EllaNore]

I do inject properly ??

[EllaNore in reply to Nackapan]

Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean you didn't. I just thought you were new to it. I'm new here so I didn't know. I thought you were just starting. So sorry to offend you.

[Nackapan in reply to EllaNore]

That's okay . I've Bern injecting now for over 2 yesrs.I do subcutaneous b12 injections at home and have IM ones as well at my surgery.

[deniseinmilden]

That needle is fine in your leg and I'm sorry that by chance you caught a small vein. We all do from time to time but it's always OK afterwards.

You can inject B12 directly into a vein without any negative consequences so don't worry about that.

If I get it stop or hurt I used to try a different site, but nowadays I tend to just pull it out a bit and leave the B12 a bit nearer the surface. I'm skinny but it doesn't matter if you leave it under the skin on your leg, rather than in the muscle (obviously what you're aiming to do). It seems so long as it's inside you somehow your body compensates pretty well.

If it bleeds, whack a finger over the hole straight away and hold it for a few seconds and then give it a rub, still holding the site. Bleeding isn't a problem, except for making a mess on the carpet and your clothes, but you might as well stop it straight away - you won't lose any of the B12 then! 😃

Pretend you're an old hand at it and you've done thousands of jabs and you're blaśe about it - you'll be more confident then!

And think of how much better you'll be!

[Dp2000 in reply to deniseinmilden]

That’s great thank you! I’ll try again tonight. If I really get stuck there is a nurse in the house opposite! But like you say it’s just a bit of blood and after it had splurted out it stopped pretty quickly. Thank you xx

[deniseinmilden in reply to Dp2000]

Good luck!

[Baggy8 in reply to deniseinmilden]

I've got the opposite issue to you. I'm of the cuddly 🙄 persuasion and usually SI into the top of my arms. Every now and then I think I'll try my thigh and always end up with a lump for days and a small bruise. Is it because my needle hasn't fought through the fat to reach the muscle 🤔. I use the orange.....

[deniseinmilden in reply to Baggy8]

I've heard that sometimes it can pool in fat rather than dispersing - which makes sense as the B12 is in water and doesn't mix with fat. It will get into you eventually but isn't ideal.

You might need a longer needle - the orange colour denotes that it's a 25 gauge needle - which is the diameter - but they come in a range of lengths.

An orange 25G is fine but it might be worth trying a 2" needle - if you can get one - if you want to use your thighs.

Exchange Supplies stock needles in most sizes and the longest 25G ones are 1.5 inches/40mm. You might need to try a bigger needle diameter (lower gauge number) if you want to use a 2" one.

exchangesupplies.org/shopdi...

[Baggy8 in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thankyou. Much appreciated. I'll get some.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Yes, this used to happen to me quite a bit. I think, looking back, I was perhaps not relaxed enough. Muscle too tight to get through without a fight. Yet I found that, if I had a bath to relax me first, skin surface was more sensitive to pain. And you don't want that either !

Difficult learning how to be completely relaxed, while simultaneously attempting to stick a long needle into your leg, as it goes against everything you have previously learned in life.

Now, any sign of a fight brewing, any resistance and I start again elsewhere- or, if I'm nearly there, and can't be bothered to start over, I do as Denise does, and accept that B12 might be into tissue rather than muscle this time.

Now it happens rarely- and always a surprise when it does.

Not a worry. Besides, I've got a red carpet !

[deniseinmilden in reply to Cherylclaire]

Well that's one way of getting around the problem! 😂😂👍

[Dp2000 in reply to Cherylclaire]

A red carpet is very handy! Luckily mine was onto a dark wooden floor lol!I’ll try again, hopefully I’ll get it right this time xx

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Dp2000]

Take your time. Allow yourself plenty of it. No rush.Treat for after !