Previously, I have performed IM self injections. This has largely been fine and unproblematic, but a painful incident on the most recent attempt made me want to seek alternatives.
I'm sure SC injections might be nicer for me as the needle is smaller and a lot of people on this forum report less pain.
The problem is, I am very thin, and cannot pinch up much skin on my thigh or belly. I am also hesitant to use a technique (pinched skin and 45 degrees) without having a nurse to teach me and check I'm doing it right (a nurse originally showed me how to do IM 90 degree injections into my outer thigh).
As far as I can tell, the reason for pinching the skin of your thigh is to avoid hitting muscle. But B12 can be injected into muscles as this is what you do with IM injections. So could I just use the normal IM injection technique but with a smaller SC needle? I think this would be easier for me psychologically.
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Mereri
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Totally get where you are coming from and I am sure you will find your solution from members here. I have nothing useful to add other than support and encouragement. 🤗🤗🤗
Hi Mereri, if you are going to do SC into the tummy, then it's best to pinch. You can see how they do in this video at around time 7 minutes 30 seconds youtube.com/watch?v=fkBuY4i... Even if you can't pinch much skin/fat, they do into the side part. But still at 90 degrees. I too would not do 45!
If you are going to do SC on your thigh, then I see no reason why you can't do it like IM - no pinching. Just remember that it might sting - I've noticed that IM never stings but SC can for sure do that - due to the nerve endings on the skin I guess.
I don't know why the thought of pinching freaks me out so much but it just does. I think because I usually like to have both hands on the needle whilst injecting to keep it very steady.
It seems most people agree IM technique into the thigh would be fine. Your stinging comment is intriguing. From what I observed, the general anecdotal consensus on these forums have been that SC is less painful than IM.
I had the exact same problem as you, where I was not able to pinch up skin to do a SC injection as recommended. My solution was to purchase 4mm needles which do not necessitate pinching of skin - these work fine for me.
Hi Nackapan, great info for Mereri and all of us on here - thank you. I'm just plucking up courage to start SI - will do subcut as I find the IM by nurse very painful, again might be like Mereri a bit thin on the padding! Have managed to get some ampoules from the German website many of you use, and just about to get an order in for equipment from Medisave. This is the syringe I was thinking of ordering, it's a combined all in one - is that ok? Link as follows and would value opinions please before I order:
I find it very difficult to draw from the ampoule using a fixed needle syringe..the needle is too short... they are also very expensive.I order 2ml syringes
30g injecting needle
23g drawing up needle
From Medisave.co.uk...about £13 ?for 100 of each including postage
Thank you Lincsangel1, I am totally new to SI so appreciate any information about the basics that are needed. I'll look at your suggestions - thanks again.
I've just checked..and the ones on your link are no good as they are only 0.3ml...ampoules are either 1ml or 2ml depending on brand... so they wouldn't be any good, as well as not being long enough to draw up the B12
Thanks Lincsangel1, appreciate all the information, am a complete novice so finding my way forward at the moment and obviously want to ensure the purchase is relevant!
Thanks Nackapan, as said above to Lincsangel1 am just starting out with supplies so very much a novice at the moment! So many choices on the Medisave website I have found it very confusing and just gone round in circles!
I do SC everyday. I use insulin needles - 6mm 31G 1ml. I only inject some 0.2ml, as I think a lower dose is better and about 50-100mcg/day is more than enough and I found the lower dose (50mcg) better actually. It is very simple and does not sting at all. I think the key is to use a smaller and thinner needle and as low a dose as possible. With 4-6mm, there is no possibility of hitting muscle even for a thin person, so you should be fine.
Great explanations from Nackapan. I use a very thin 1/2 inch 30 G second needle to inject subcutaneous. Straight in , you can pinch but not necessary. It might sting a bit if like Nackapan says the liquid is cold or a drop of it is sitting on the tip of the needle. I sit down and relax the leg I inject into.
Ok wonderful! Just wanted to check that injecting into thigh (without pinching) at the usual 90 degree angle was fine. I couldn't think of a good reason why it wouldn't be. Do you use a 45 degree angle or 90 degrees?
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