SI Question

[MikeyO]

Morning guys

I’ve just given myself my third SI but ran into a small problem. When drawing up the b12 solution into the syringe, I noticed that there was still some b12 solution left in the glass ampoule. However the plunger was fully extended, so I lightly pushed the plunger down in order to draw up the rest but some b12 solution annoyingly sprayed out of the syringe. I had to throw away the unused b12. 😤

I hope my explanation makes sense.

Any tips in how to prevent this from happening in the future and to ensure I excavate the full b12 at the first go?

any advice is appreciated.

Thanks, MikeyO

[Jillymo]

Were you injecting the Hevert which is 2ml ? If so you need a one and a half inch needle to draw up the liquid up. I use a one and a quater inch needle for injecting. You would use a shorter one for subcut injections.

Hope this helps.

[MikeyO in reply to Jillymo]

I was injecting Panpharma. I was using a one and a half inch needle to draw up the solution and a 1 inch needle to inject.

[Jillymo in reply to MikeyO]

That's an odd one seeing as the Panpharma use smaller ampoules ! I only had this happen once when the company I order my sharps from sent out the wrong size needles.

It's all trial and error. 🤔

[jade_s]

Are you using a 2 ml syringe?

You need to get the air out of the syringe earlier.

After I've withdrawn about half, I take the needle out, hold it needle pointing up.

Draw the plunger back all the way so the b12 is at the bottom.

Then very slowly push up so all the b12 goes up towards the needle but stop when it hits the top of the syringe. Some b12 trapped in the needle might spray out but usually not.

Then withdraw the rest from the ampoule. Or might need to stop again and redo the above, if you are getting a lot of air in the syringe.

I do it all on autopilot now but I think i might do this 2 or 3 times, depending on how much air gets trapped.

[MikeyO in reply to jade_s]

hi jade_s

Yeah. I’m using a 2ml syringe. I placed the ampoule between my legs and tried to draw up the solution into the syringe, but there was still some b12 solution left in the ampoule.

Maybe next time I’ll hold the ampoule in my left hand and use my right hand to draw with the syringe.

I’ll use your advice and get the air out of the syringe first I don’t think I did that prior to drawing up the solution.

Thanks for the advice.

Take care

MikeyO

[jade_s in reply to MikeyO]

If you go to the 1 minute 45 second mark on this video, you can see how he fills the syringe by tipping the ampoule on its side. This is the method I use as well. You don't have to worry about the liquid spilling out because the neck is narrow enough that surface tension holds it in. Gotta love physics LOL. onedrive.live.com/?authkey=...

[MikeyO in reply to jade_s]

that video was really helpful. When he tipped the ampoule, I was surprised that the solution didn’t spill onto the floor. Yeah physics is really something. 😆

I’ll follow that technique that the gentleman used.

Thanks jade_s

[jade_s in reply to MikeyO]

LOL cool isn't it. It takes a few days to get your hands to work together properly, at least it did me haha. Good luck!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

the phial contains slightly more than 1ml. If you have problems because an air bubble gets into the syringe you can clear it by inverting and tapping until the bubble rises to the top but you will always lose a bit of B12 from the needle when you expel the bubble.

[MikeyO in reply to Gambit62]

thanks for the advice. I just SI this morning and it went much better than my previous attempt yesterday.

[Miss-guineapig]

My advice would be just to practice a bit with water just to get the knack, it takes time. Keep us posted. I always draw up with a larger needle like a ‘green’, remove air then use with a blue or orange to administer. Before I administer, I check the solution is coming out the needle I am giving with…if you know what I mean. I have 2.5ml syringes and a variety of needles, depends what I can get at the time but don’t get too serious and worry about it, people find their own way and we all vary a bit, so long as it works. Well done x

[EiCa in reply to Miss-guineapig]

I love this idea of practicing with water. I tried giving myself the injection yesterday (my husband usually does it as I have arthritic hands) and I lost a whole ampoule. I just watched Jade’s video and took screenshots of advice given in this thread. What a Godsend this forum is.

[jade_s in reply to Miss-guineapig]

Great idea! I remember doing this in the very early days but had forgotten about it. Another idea that used to go around was to practice on an orange lol.