Pain after B12 injection

I have been self injecting for 2 years, and started injecting my 30 year daughter last year (due to needle phobia and a rubbish GP).. However my daughter always complains of 'pain' afterwards and yesterday she said she felt stinging, burning and a 'warm thigh' too. Does anyone else suffer pain or discomfort after injecting into their thigh? I really don't feel a thing! I don't want to be hurting her, but need to keep up with the B12 as she has suffered permanent neurological damage where she was misdiagnosed with MS and then left with no support for years.

[Thrones12]

Sorry for stating the obvious but have you considered changing injection sites.

I have self injected upper arms for the last three or so years now,I’ve did hundreds of injections and the only time I feel pain is if I’m “lucky “enough to have a nurses appointment,other than that I feel totally in control of any pain risks and although I admit I still hate doing them it’s not because it’s painful it’s just needle phobia in my case.

I always warm the ampoule before injecting ,tuck in my bra or waistband while I’m prepping all the other bits,I don’t use swabs as I know I don't need them ,nurses also don't use them often these days,they tend to sting unless the swabbed areas completely dried before injecting.

I imagine an upside down triangle two inches down from my shoulder and I can safetly inject anywhere in that space.it works for me I alternate arms and have had no problems.I can’t do thighs maybe it’s just a mental block for me.

You could also try sub cut shots in the belly fat,always two inches away from the navel I’m told,I can’t do that one either I must just be ver sensitive so anyway arms are good for me,worth a try?? X

[Hidden in reply to Thrones12]

Thank you for your kind response. I've never learnt to inject in the deltoid muscle, I've tried asking her but as she is autistic she doesn't cope with change too well. I don't use swabs either, nor does my nurse. We use thigh muscle for ease when sitting down. I've never warmed the ampoule. there was a drop of B12 on the end of the needle, maybe that's another reason too?

p.s. how do reach around to your own upper arm? I've never attempted it, what size needle do you use?

[Thrones12 in reply to Hidden]

hi I find it very easy to reach either arm but admit people do ask me that,I can’t see why it would be a problem I just sit on end of bed with stuff all laid out on a clean towel and sharps bin handy,draw up b12 with a red filter needle,personal preference here,then discard and do the injecting with the orange needle , if the b12 is cold or you do have a bead of it on injecting needle then yes your right it can sting but again that is a rarity for me.

Don’t get me wrong I still hate doing them but I’m hoping the tips you gain from here will help you and your daughter it’s not easy so it can’t harm to try injecting her arm,give her the ampoule to hold to warm it she may feel better being more involved in the process and if she’s more relaxed that’ll help too,also have a look on you tube for any instruction videos together.best wishes x

[Mixteca in reply to Hidden]

I'm in my 2nd week of loading doses and have started SI into thighs. I keep my B12 at room temperature and warm it a little by rubbing the ampule between my palms. Apparently it can sting if it's cold. I can feel a sharp 'scratch' when the needle goes in, but it doesn't hurt and I cannot feel the B12 being released into the muscle. I tried to SC into stomach, but found that worse as I could feel the liquid. I'm squeamish anyway, so this is a steep learning curve for me. If your daughter is highly sensitive to touch, I get how this would be tougher for her.

[Adsypadsy in reply to Hidden]

My dad was diabetic and injected subcutaneously, alternating between tummy and thighs. So you can still inject into thigh, to avoid too much change, but with a shorter thinner needle. Minimised change and hopefully less pain. You may also get more benefit from the numbing cream as you are not going as deep with the smaller needle.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Hidden]

Yes - the reasons for stinging are usually either swabbed area not dry, a drop of B12 at the tip of the needle (flick syringe and wait a moment) or B12 ampoule not warmed up just before injecting (especially if using fridge).

The B12 when cold is thicker and can be more difficult to inject and ache after. Also, plunging syringe too fast can hurt.

Quite hard to relax muscles completely when you know what's coming. Especially if muscles are cold, so make sure you're in a warm room. I used to make myself relax, then tell myself to relax more before injection. I tried a hot bath first - but found that made my skin more sensitive.

Can't win, can you ?

Hope this helps.

[Labowner in reply to Hidden]

There are more nerves in the muscle in the thigh than in the deltoid muscle, and it is easier to find the safe place to do the injection in the upper arm (which is why this is a common used place to give vaccinations i.m.). I know change is very difficult for people with autism (my son has autism too) but it sounds like it would hurt less and be easier for you to confidently treat her if you change injection site. A change could make things safer and secure the treatment in the long run.

Another thing to consider is wich brand of hydroxycobalamin you use. I have found Hevert to be the most stinging and a bit painful. I use Pascoe (1500 micrograms) now, and did initially use Rotexmedica. I like the Pascoe most because I have almost no pain using them. With Hevert I almost wanted to stop the injections.

I inject myself in the thigh and have asked a Mensendieck teacher to show me the muscle where I need to inject, and this has helped me be more confident when injecting. I needed to correct my injection site to be more lateral on the thigh to do it in the right muscle.

I hope you find a good solution. Best wishes, Malene

[Davy28 in reply to Labowner]

I just did my first injection into my arm after years into my leg and it was agony ! Sorest one ever so I'm going to stick with the leg so in otherwords finding what's best for you and sticking with that is what I would suggest to anyone!

[wedgewood]

Choose the finest needles for which ever method you use,—

26G x 1 inch for I.M. 30G x 1/2 inch for sub-cutaneous ( tummy fat or front of thigh)

Do not use the injection needle to withdraw the B12 from the ampoule . ( it becomes blunt when it touches the glass- ouch!) Use a long needle to withdraw ( 1 1/2 inch ) Then change to injection needle .

There is a numbing cream from Amazon .co.U.K.

[Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I use one needle to draw up and a new 26g 1 inch to IM inject. The numbing cream may help, thank you

[Adsypadsy in reply to Hidden]

Is the muscle relaxed before you inject? If she has a needle phobia, she may be tensing up as you inject.

[Hidden in reply to Adsypadsy]

She tries not to tense up, but cannot help it. May try numbing cream too.

[Adsypadsy in reply to Hidden]

I've never tried subcutaneous but that may be a more suitable option for your daughter. I'm sure there are many people on here that can give advice on that.

[Nackapan]

Perhaps subcutaneous injections might suit hef better?

[Hidden in reply to Nackapan]

I will have to learn that, it may be the better option. Are you aware of any videos please?

[Mixteca]

What size needles are you using? You need to consider her body type for the correct size. I'm using a 23g x 1 inch (0.6 x 25 mm). Technique is important too. EG, I've had a lot of blood taken in my time and each nurse was different. Sometimes I never felt a thing and other times it hurt, especially if a nurse was stressed or rushed. Ambience and mood can make a difference.

[Hidden in reply to Mixteca]

I use 23g 1 inch needles, no pain for me. My daughter says she feels 'pain' afterwards, she says it travels down her leg or around her bottom. It goes after an hour or so, but I don't understand why I don't have the same sensations. Her legs are bigger than mine too

[Mixteca in reply to Hidden]

The thing to remember is that she is not you. We're all different and our pain thresholds are also different. Some of us have a low tolerance for pain.

[LittleA]

Sorry to hear your daughter is having pain. You said she is autistic, just an idea You could inject in each leg for each injection but in the same muscle area so then it may feel more comfortable and the area should not hurt.

If your daughter is tensing up each time it will hurt, when I started mine, i was anxious so my muscles would tense up more and it was harder and more painful.

Hope you find away to make it more comfortable for your daughter.

[Hidden in reply to LittleA]

She is definitely tensing up, however she won't let me use the other leg as she struggles to accept changes.. onwards and upwards. At least her neurological symptoms are easing and her memory has improved.

[Hidden]

I inject into my thigh; it feels uncomfortable when the needle goes in, seems to hit bits of tissue fibre which block the needle. Then the solution going in can hurt too; I often get warmth and discomfort afterwards.

[Hectorsmum2]

Bloody hurt me every time. I had to do it very slowly and tried everything suggested with little change except now that I have changed brands to pascoes. I have done two jabs and it is much better.

[Hidden in reply to Hectorsmum2]

Interesting I've just bought that brand.

[Boserhm7]

Yes it hurts afterwards in my arm .. I must say.

If you self inject where do you purchase from please? I could do with doing it myself. Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Boserhm7]

.I purchase from German pharmacies, learnt all about it from this great group. In fact just over purchased from Germany and got given my annual prescription from my GP. So have too much B12, never thought I'd say that!

I buy needles and sharps bins from medisave. I use 26g 1 inch needles to inject and use a separate larger needle to draw up liquid from ampoules

[Hidden in reply to Boserhm7]

I couldn't get from usual pharmacy so purchased from here. shop.apotal.de/(I seem to have 2 accounts on here, need to sort this. I'm Terri Green too, replying on my own thread!)

[Hectorsmum2 in reply to Boserhm7]

I bought my pascoes from amazon de (the german amazon site)

[WIZARD6787]

When I inject in my thigh I say out loud "little prick" Then I count out loud one two three then inject.

[GalDriver]

Hiya, I am very sensitive to pain so, after quick insertion of needle, I inject very slowly, a little at a time, and stop as soon as it hurts, rest a few seconds, then resume. Also, as someone else said, make sure you injectin a different area each time. That's easy when using thighs. I alternate legs usually and, on me, have a big area to choose from! When finished, I rub the area to help the B12 dissipate but also to make the site feel better. Good luck.

[SigNi]

I feel burning with some B12 solutions. My remedy is to add an ampule of lidocaine to the syringe after I draw up the B12. I am in Germany and noticed my first B12 prescription included this, so I assume it is safe. It usually takes care of the problem. If not, it seems I may be too close to a nerve or something (I inject in the thigh). In this case I stop, change needles and choose another site. This usually solves it. Please note I'm not a medical expert - just my personal experience. Good luck. 😊

[Hidden in reply to SigNi]

Interesting re Lidocaine. Not sure where I'd buy that in UK.

[helvella in reply to Hidden]

When I needed some lidocaine (for shingles), my GP prescribed Vagisil. (I am male. Caused confusion at pharmacy.)

boots.com/vagisil-medicated...

There are many other lidocaine products:

medicines.org.uk/emc/search...

As well things like Lanacane which is based on the similar Benzocaine.

[Labowner in reply to helvella]

Good to have product names. Now it is just needed to find out if these products are made for injection.

Every bit of information seems to lead to new things to work out..

I have shifted to Pascoe, and they are almost pain free. That is a relief since I have used Hevert for quite some time and they are really stinging, ouch ☹️

[helvella in reply to Labowner]

I was assuming you'd apply it topically - and that would help by migrating inwards.

I know lidocaine injections are widely used but probably difficult to buy.

[SigNi in reply to helvella]

I order it along with my B12 and other ampoules from the online German pharmacy ( I live in Stuttgart). I get the Hevert Heweneural 1% (Lidocainhdrochlorid 1 H2O 20mg). I don't always use all of it - I just top off the syringe. Hope this helps.

[SigNi in reply to Labowner]

I order it along with my B12 and other ampoules from the online German pharmacy ( I live in Stuttgart). I get the Hevert Heweneural 1% (Lidocainhdrochlorid 1 H2O 20mg). I don't always use all of it - I just top off the syringe. Hope this helps.

[SigNi in reply to Hidden]

I order it along with my B12 and other ampoules from the online German pharmacy ( I live in Stuttgart). I get the Hevert Heweneural 1% (Lidocainhdrochlorid 1 H2O 20mg). I don't always use all of it - I just top off the syringe. Hope this helps.

[chill234]

I rarely don't experience pain no matter where I inject. In my thighs I almost always get lumps and bruises. In my belly I'm less prone to getting bumps, but the injection site hurts at the time of injection (sometimes only slightly, sometimes so much I have to withdraw) and often through to the next day. Parts of my belly are a little discolored, though I try to use as much variation as possible in my injection sites. I have trouble reaching my upper arm, and when I used to get the Dr to do it in the arm I would have pain for hours that radiated down my arm. I've brought this up before on this forum and got all the same kind of advice you got, and I do everything properly, and I've been doing it once or twice a week for years, so for me it's just become a fact of life that it's going to hurt. I'm quite thin, which may have something to do with it.