Question after first im self injection

[Marlboro123]

My first s.i today but what i worried about afterwoods was it did not have that 10 second muscle ache that i got when the nurse did the injection in my arm. I did im into the thigh and used a 25G x 1 inch needle, now i am a 17 stone guy and i have the thought how do i know it went into the muscle? I could not get the slightly bigger needle but am worried it just went into a fat layer as my thighs are a little on the large size and as i pushed the syringe down there was no discomfort like in the arm, what do you think?

[Nackapan]

Dorsnt 't matter.It will go into your blood stream whatever.

The right size needle used .

Thighs hurt less thzn arms

Main thing is to get the effect from the b12

[Marlboro123 in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks, it did't take much for me to doubt myself but thanks for putting my mind at rest. It took 20 minutes for me to actually put the needle in as i was quite nervous but i think my wife was more nervous watching me.

[jade_s]

Congrats!! 🥳🥳

20 minutes is nothing, it took me over an hours the first 10 times 😂

Once you're less nervous, you might notice that as the needle goes from fat to muscle, the resistance slightly increases.

You can always try 1 1/4" if you want. But as already mentioned, you'll get the b12 either way. Well done & keep going. Happy healing!

[wedgewood]

I think that you are better at injecting than the nurse !

No , joking aside, you will benefit from the injection , even if it only went into the fat layer , That’s called a Sub-cutaneous injection or sub-cut . Many members use that method .

If you use Panpharma ampoules , you will see on the packet , that it is a recommended method of injection in Germany , where those ampoules are manufactured. So no worries . If that method of injecting appeals to you , you can use an even finer needle , namely 30G x 1/2 inch .

Best wishes .

[deniseinmilden]

Woohoo! Well done!

It's fine - so long as it's on your inside somewhere it'll get into your system somehow. The body is very adaptable and B12 is a very safe and stable molecule.

Now that's the beauty of SI - you can do it slowly to suit yourself and so it doesn't have to hurt at all.

If on another occasion your skin does complain when you go to stick the needle in, just move it a little bit and try again or try the other leg - what's sensitive one day won't be another so from now on your jabs can be pain free... And you'll start to feel better too!

Make sure you get plenty of all the vitamins and minerals you will need for the B12 to work properly, especially folate, potassium, magnesium, iron and vitamin D.

An A-Z multivitamin and mineral supplement is a good place to start if you can take one (basic supermarket ones are as good as, if not better than, more expensive branded ones) but you will also need red meat, fish, and dairy products, plus loads of veg, salads, fruit (dried or fresh) and nuts and seeds, including whole grain cereals, to provide what you need with a whole range of "magic" compounds besides.

The wider the variety of things you eat helps more than you can imagine and if you get it right you will be able to feel pretty well so don't give up looking for extra ways to improve things until you feel you're there!

Well done and good luck with the next stage!

[Scott-rock]

I use that size also into my thighs, most times it’s pain free. I use alternate side and places each time. My pharmacist friend said that is the size they use for vaccines.

[Marlboro123]

I really appreciate all your comments, there is some great info that you have all provided and i am taking it all on board. Thanks everyone

[HeartyGilly]

I think you did fine. Mine hurts much more when the nurse does it than when I do it myself.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

The 10-sec muscle ache is most probably due to the speed at which the nurse pressed the plunger or s/he did not warm up the ampoule contents sufficiently after removing from the fridge and before injecting. So: slower with the plunger is better and warming up the B12 liquid a bit prior to injecting makes it more fluid, so easier to inject and less painful.. allow to reach room temperature. Some tuck it in their bra, some under arm - just for as long as it takes to sort out the rest: sharps, syringe, etc.

If it doesn't reach your muscle, it will still be in tissue - and hopefully doing you good. It is not an easy decision to make but at least does not have to be painful.

Any questions, just ask. A lot of friendly people here with useful advice.