I have given myself over 20 IM injections for B12 with little pain. However, something weird happened today. There was a lot of pain when I put the needle in but this sometimes happens. As I was pressing down the plunger, I felt a weird spasm/flexing in my thigh and the needle was visibly pushed out of my leg a bit?? This really freaked me out as this hasn't happened before. I immediately pulled it out.
After changing needle, I thought I would try the other leg. This is also hurt a lot more than usual (maybe I was just tensed up?) so I panicked and removed it straight away.
Has anybody had something similar? I'm usually completely fine giving myself IM injections even if I don't relish having them. I inject weekly and alternate legs.
Written by
Mereri
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thank you for your response! Yes I have been considering moving to SC but since I bought my needles in bulk, I thought I might as well use them all since IM is usually virtually painless for me.
I don't think my magnesium levels have ever been tested but I was originally deficient in many vitamins so it probably can't hurt.
I always do the outer half of my thigh. A nurse told me that slightly higher up is fine but on this occasion it was definitely the middle third.
Good to know I'm not going crazy and other people have had muscle spasms whilst injecting.
Are you sitting down when injecting? I tried it like that at first and omg, i could not relax my muscles at all. Every injection was super painful. After watching some videos, I tried the method of stretching my legs out on the bed. That was much better. So you might try different positions and see if you can find the one that relaxes your thigh the most.
Even though I have my injections every 4 weeks at my surgery, they too have hurt, for the last 3 appointments. I understand that they are using a new company, and my thoughts were, "what's in it?"
Hi Margo, I personally haven't noticed any difference between different brands of B12 , but I know this can happen with all sorts of drugs. The good thing is, that while unpleasant, please be reassured that unless you actually experience a skin reaction, it won't be doing you any harm.
Hi, I understand how you feel, but remember there's a big difference between vaccines which may be new or are always being modified and B12 which is , after all, a long established, simple ( though vital ! ) vitamin. The only thing to change with B12 would be slight variation in the preservative/ stabiliser which you may notice as more 'stingy ' .
100% agree with you. However I would never trust anything being injected in my arm. B12 is pure, but you never know what might be added....are we ever told the truth about anything these days.
I had similar also... so never did IM again.. I find SC so much easier... I use a 30g half inch needle and inject into my belly. .. I don't feel a thing..which is good as I inject daily
Yes I've been thinking about switching to SC, but I have quite a few IM needles still to use and I've never had issues with it before... I think I will try again next week and then reevaluate.
It can be pushed out quite forcefully by what feels like a "rejection twitch", like a horse ridding itself of a fly. It is strange, but not as unusual as you'd think. Always when rushed, so more likely a muscle spasm than a nerve twitch, I'm thinking.
Any pain or tension means stop, take a breather, relax more, then try again somewhere else. Sometimes, when you believe you are relaxed, your muscles aren't yet. They need a bit more time. If there is any pain or struggle involved initially, it won't end well... so stop before it gets worse !
This is not enjoyable, and it can be difficult to feel truly relaxed about injecting.
I once got told by a consultant that "the euphoria experienced by self-injection of B12 is well-known". As you can imagine, I set him straight about that piece of fabricated nonsense.
Thank you for the response! Good to know I'm not going crazy and others have had this happen.
There is always a psychological struggle for me when injecting but even if my heart is racing I've very rarely had any pain when doing IM injections. Clearly I may need to be more conscious of keeping my thigh relaxed.
If I still have a problem when I try next week, I will consider SC or switching to the monthly injections Vitajab offer.
Hi Mereri, Please don't worry, as jade said you maybe hit something then tensed up.You won't have done any harm so don't let this incident put you off.
I'm a former nurse, and even so, I occasionally feel I haven't given my injection as well as usual, eg. more painful, sensation of " hitting something " and same as you - needle pushing out.
I'm still in the land of the living!
Just relax and forget about it and I'm sure your next injection will go to plan, after all, you've done so many successfully already 👍
Lots of good feedback here. Maybe try the subcutaneous. Lots of people do that and it works for them. I hated it too!!!! It gets easier, but it's sure hard the first 6months getting used to it. I had my niece do it until she left and I was on my own.
I still do IM, but only because I'm so thin. I would love to try si.
Keep reminding yourself how you will get better. Tell yourself that this is going to make things better and you will feel so good. The internal discussion helps calm the nerves.
Physiologically we have a frontal cortex and amygdala. The amig is the fear center. It tells you there is a veritable bear! That's its job. If you don't acknowledge that message, and literally tell it you are aware, thank it for the warning and tell it you will take care of it. That fear runs wild.
That will allow your frontal cortex (the logic center to help calm you.
This all takes practice and though this technique works wonders, no doubt the needle jabs are still nerve wracking and will just take practice and time to get used to; however this mental formula really helps swing the fear ever so progressively from fear to focusing on results which will calm you.
It's a struggle, but you will get better and better at this. Your being brave. Keep it up. You got this!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Needle problems
Hydroxocobalamin IM Injection 
Question after first im self injection
First self injection.
