Needle size for Surgery injections?

[Libuse]

Yesterday I had my 3 monthly B12 jab and was rather taken aback to be injected in the shoulder with a 21G 1 1/2 “needle which was quite painful unlike when I self inject with 25G x 1” needle. I don’t remember needles being this large in the past and wondered if this is common practice to draw from ampoule and inject with same rather coarse needle 🧐☹️? Before I complain (yet again) I would like to know if I am justified or just being a moaning minny 😂. Thanks for reading

[wedgewood]

It’s cheaper to just stock one size of needle. Both oil and water - based injection material can be quickly administered with a 21 gauge needle . Oil based injections need the coarser gauge needle .

It would be kinder , and at very little greater expense to stock 25 gauge needles to inject water - based b12 . Also , unless you are obese , a 1 inch needle is long enough. But, using a the same size needle for all injections, it’s obviously cheaper .than having different gauges and lengths .

[Libuse in reply to wedgewood]

Thanks Wedgewood. I guess I will keep my moans for more important issues 😊

[wedgewood in reply to Libuse]

VERY WISE !

[Nackapan in reply to Libuse]

Just ask for a finer needle I have. A G.p used a finer one and 1"long The nurse uses a 21G 1" but as long as I book with the right nurse doesn't hurt .

One explained why larger guages are used for both adults and baby vacs .

J got lost half way through .

Ask??

[Libuse in reply to Nackapan]

Yes, I will next time but I am afraid of being taken to task if they discover I am self-injecting ..😮

[Nackapan in reply to Libuse]

Isn't it ridiculous the position we are put in .

[OldmanD in reply to wedgewood]

I use 16g x 1 1/2 to draw and they 27 x 1 to inject . . . . . The bigger needle is near twice the price. . . . . I have 5/8 for tummy when traveling and they just a wee little cheaper again. . . .

[wedgewood in reply to OldmanD]

Useful information for newbies . Thank you.

[Nackapan in reply to OldmanD]

I use 30G 1/2 " for sc . 27-30G God fof sc .

K always use s different needle to draw if up and change it to inject.

As does the nurse

[OldmanD in reply to Nackapan]

I like the draw needle. . . . . . While many will say it is okay to use the same needle for both I would not . . . . . If one takes any modern needle and puts it below a magnifying glass . . .. . I have one with light built in for PCB repair and if you just touch the needle point against any hard surface such as glass you can see how easily it is to bend the very point of the thing. . . . . It is still pretty sharp as in it will puncture the skin but it is quite painful, more so than a larger needle would ever be. . . . . A bent point is also painful to withdraw. . . These needles are beautifully machined items but made for single use only and def not made to be touched against glass or I;d imagine used to puncture rubbed , , , ,

[Sailinglady]

If they are drawing the injection from a glass ampoule (where you break the top off) they should use a filter needle to draw the injection up and then change to a different needle to administer it. Otherwise, there may be glass fragments in the injection.

[Sailinglady]

If they are drawing the injection from a glass ampoule (where you break the top off) they should use a filter needle to draw the injection up and then change to a different needle to administer it. Otherwise, there may be glass fragments in the injection.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

I think that you should at least query why the same needle was used for drawing up and injection - in a clinical setting this would be considered to be bad practice at best.