Hi...I have PA for which I have had IM injections for the last 15 years approx. by the nurse at my GP surgery. I am now at a different surgery and have noticed the nurse pinches the skin on my arm ? I have read that you do this for SC injections and you stretch the skin for IM? Is this correct and will I be getting the full benefit of the injection when given this way.
Thank you in advance
No-one has ever pinched my skin when getting a B12 injection. I have had pernicious anaemia for many years now. My mother had this condition and had injections for many years, until the GP told her (in her late 60's) that she needed no more B12 injections.
Both my sister and I thought that was 'good' but unfortunately it turned out awful as my mother developed stomach cancer and sister and I both believed that it could have been due to removing her regular B12 injections.
Thank you for your reply. It is very sad the things that can happen to people with PA when doctors are giving out this kind of advice! It is quite unbelievable the lack of knowledge of many GP's. Thank goodness for all the help we get on this site so we can try to move forwards.
Hi All
Not often we have an applause for social media. The method may not be current protocol but appears to have not caused harm.
I wouldnt worry as clearly B12 is finding its destination.
In years to come -who knows this method may be a break through!
🤗🤗🤗
Thank you for your reply I feel somewhat relieved. I have been quite concerned that my B12 is not going where it's supposed to, maybe because I haven't felt too good...I need to start giving my own injections!! when I pluck up the courage 😂
Hi shaws, oh dear that sounds possibly related. Wondering, what was it that got the GP to suggest she no longer needed injections? My GP also has told me that I do not need injections years ago already because of my B12 levels being normal.
If our B`12 iblood tests are normal we wouldn't be given regular injections.
Somw people may have low B12 but don't have P.A.
I assume - due to my mother's GP s response - that the GP was completely ignorant about the purpose of B12 in our bodies if the patient had already been diagnosed as having 'pernicious; anaemia.
My mother had been previously diagnosed years ahea and had an injection every three months.
If my GP could not diagnose me as being hypothyroid when my TSH was 100 other mistakes could be .
If it's in you, it's in you and will work OK! Good luck with plucking up courage to do it yourself. It's easy - much easier than the idea of it suggests.
thank you for your reply...I have been watching UTube on how to self inject 😃
Like you I have been having b12 for many years now! My time comes every 8 weeks, and as I live on a narrowboat sailing the system, it can be with a different person every time.
Most nurses seem to use two fingers to measure down from the top of the shoulder to the side where the muscle is, then merely insert it into the muscle. I have had someone pinch skin but only once in over 10 years, so I think that method isn't right however if the needle pierces the muscle then its probably ok anyway.
What I do know is that it is possible to give b12 pain free and it is also possible to cause you quite some pain with it. That seems to depend upon the person carrying out the task. Some, I believe, were trained as butchers, or maybe they are just unkind people. From my experience it's about half and half.
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