Fanfare please!

[Enuffisenuf]

Well I've just done my 1st B12 IM into my thigh. I was very brave and just went for a lull in the shaking and got on with it.

Possibly washing my hands 15 times followed by santitiser could be described as a delaying tactic, but at least they were clean if a little devoid of skin.

All the supporters on this forum and those youtube videoers (not a real word) were telling us SI virgins the truth. It doesn't hurt. I got a shock when I realised that the needle was in and I hadn't felt a thing.

I went for the Z track method, with a bit of scratching from a spare super clean nail as a distraction, lined up and............ 'oh, it's in, I'd better start pushing the plunger then.' Not a drop of blood to be seen.

I did waste a couple of drops of B12 doing my Dr Kildare bit to expel the air, but I can live with that.

Off for a little lie down now to recover my nerves!

Thanks for all the help

[Nackapan]

Well done !!

[WIZARD6787]

Good on you! Hard work that.

It is a big step for some of us. I have no real issues subcutaneous injecting now. I never was OK with the IM.

[Bellabab in reply to WIZARD6787]

Think you mean subcutaneous. PLEASE nobody try to inject sublingual = below the tongue.

[WIZARD6787 in reply to Bellabab]

Thank you for that!

[jade_s]

Well done and Congrats!! 🥳🥳

I've been doing IM trials this year and I still can't manage to use fewer than 10 alcohol swabs on my leg, out of paranoia 🤣 so I feel you!

[wedgewood]

Excellent and congratulations ! Your description takes me back to 2014 when I did my first I.M . I was terrified . I had 2 very large G & Ts before I could summon up enough courage ! I thought that I would faint with terror.

You will get more and more confident as time goes by . Very best wishes 👍

[Wheat]

Congratulations, a big step indeed. Im a bit o.t.t. with pre and post hygiene/sanitising. It helps reassure me. With brain fog I daily forget many things but not sanitising 🙂.

[B12life]

Hurray! You are on your way to recovery. It is very stressful in the beginning. I still sometimes really just don't want to do it, but always think of how I will feel if I do!

I love that you reached out to allow us to all celebrate your journey to getting better!

Congrats!!!!

[Enuffisenuf in reply to B12life]

Had to say thank you for the help I've received and hopefully let other newbies know, it really isn't anything to be scared of.

[Orchard33]

Brilliant. Taking back control!

[eclilley]

Well done! I did one IM in my thigh, it was horrible and hurt like hell! So I switched to doing SC in my stomach and it's better for me.I don't think there's any way not to waste a few drops - it's the little bit left in the syringe end that annoys me!

Hope you start to feel better x

[MorningMist]

I can remember taking ages to pluck up courage and being unable to stop my hand shaking to press the plunger. I think it helped that my first injection was done by a friend so I knew it was just a matter of overcoming nerves to do my own. Congratulations!

[Myanna23]

That is such a hurdle, the first time and you done it!!! Well done.

[JanCymru]

😍😍Well done you!! Sounds like you've nailed (sorry for the pun!), first time! Hadn't heard of the Z track distraction idea before but sounds like a useful tool in the SI process. 👍

[Enuffisenuf in reply to JanCymru]

Z Track just means that you stretch the skin where you're going to inject & the scratching was in one of the many 'How to SI B12 videos on youtube

[JanCymru in reply to Enuffisenuf]

😍Aah, got it now! Sorry for the confusion! I've not tried stretching or flattening the skin yet, but will give that method a go. Have been 'pinching' up a fold on my outer thigh so far with the SI. All info is good and sharing on here is beyond value. 👍

[Kazania]

Well done👍😃👏

[EiCa]

Congrats for over-coming your fear, Debra. My fear was opening the ampoules. I cut myself a few times and then bought a good ampoule opener, and though I still get a little nervous, I feel so satisfied to be able to do the whole thing independently. (Took me about 4 months to NOT let my husband do it all for me). I hope your hands recover soon. 😀

Eileen

[Ghound]

Well done! The beginning of better health! Xx

[Narwhal10]

Congratulations. 😘

[Yeswithasmile]

Hi.

I’m new on this forum and new to SI. Boy do I get where you’re coming from. First one in a chemist and then I tried. I didn’t know whether I was in a state from all the adrenaline or if it was a potential 2nd jab anaphylaxic shock!!

I have to say that 3 jabs in and I’m still nervous and I’m sure I’m doing it right but can’t help but feel I need someone to watch just to double check!!

I also noticed mobileb12 website. They come and do it or sell you the ampoules. Has anyone tried them? Just it seems a lot less bother than buying abroad. I already do this with thyroid meds and feel like sooner or later I’ll flag up as running a pharmacy! Lol

Any input gratefully received.

[Enuffisenuf in reply to Yeswithasmile]

There are lots of places that give B12 injections, but the cheapest I found are £15. It's not realistic to use this sort of service for more than 1 or 2 a month. It's considerably cheaper to SI. As long as you use a reputable overseas website you should be fine.

[Yeswithasmile in reply to Enuffisenuf]

Oh I definitely take your point there. It could work out very costly. I do need to do it myself and it does get a little easier each time. Thanks 🙏🏻

[Narwhal10 in reply to Yeswithasmile]

Hello Yeswithasmile,

It is a brand new skill and so takes time to actually feel comfortable with the equipment. Then you have to pierce your skin and press the plunger. If you wrote the actual method down (like a recipe) you would see there’s a lot of steps.

Just a funny, I was 6 and made my parents a hot drink so they could drink in bed. I was so pleased with myself I did not make a mess in the kitchen. I carried the tray up the stairs and again did not spill any. I managed to lift the coffee to my mother and still balance the tea for my father.

One problem, I had not boiled the kettle. A little one learns and continues to through life.

😘

[Yeswithasmile in reply to Narwhal10]

Lol yes you are right. Loved that! Thank you 😊

[Cobalt1312]

Congratulations!!! We're cheering for you!