needle sizes

[FlorencePocket-Owl]

Hello, I’m currently using BD MICROLANCE 3 NEEDLES BLUE 23G X 1" to SI into my thigh, at the Doctors they use an orange needle. Which is best for the least pain? Thanks.

[wedgewood]

The higher the gauge number ( G) the thinner the needle . I use a 26 G x 1 inch needle . You will find this really good . But to answer your question , obviously the surgery uses the orange needle which is 25 G . which is finer than the needle that you use, so I would say that is the better choice. This is a logical choice for the surgery because they need a needle that is suitable for oil and water-based injections . Oil based injections need a lower gauge than water-based , because the oil is more resistant to being injected . It would take more pressure to inject it using a fine needle . B12 is a water-based injection , so lends itself very well to a fine needle . So a 25 Gauge will do for water and oil-based injections.

The needle I use is Unisharp 26G x 25mm ( 1 inch) It is brown . From medisave.co.uk

[FlorencePocket-Owl in reply to wedgewood]

thank you.

[Beadbuddy in reply to wedgewood]

Wedgewood do you get your needles AND ampoules from same supplier as ive decided i am going to have to not be such a wimp and self inject as im on 8 week cycle from Docs but supplement with private jabs at £30 each time (which seems to give me more energy than the nhs jab) but its becoming such a big extra spend on top of a gardner and cleaner as my abilities are impeded as i approach 89yr BDay. Ok getting old as long as you can still move about.

[wedgewood in reply to Beadbuddy]

Members of this forum get their B12 ampoules from excellent German online pharmacies ( no prescription needed in Germany )

Here’s what you need to know —

The following reliable German online pharmacies(all registered with the German health authorities) will deliver vitamin B12 depot( Hydrocobalamin) single use ampoules to the UK

versandapo.de ( in Leipzig) use Google Chrome for translation. This is usually the best value pharmacy. U.K. IS Vereinigtes Königreich

Courier cost €9.99

apohealth.de ( in Munich) site available in English( union flag flag, bottom left on my device)

Courier cost€20.00 for 10 packets . Lower cost for fewer packets..

apotheke-marienbrunn.de use Google Chrome for translation. also deliver to Australia, New Zealand and USA. Drop down country list is in German. And UK is called. “Vereinigtes Königreich Grossbritannien und Nordirl”

juvalis.de use Google Chrome for translation

First of all, register with the pharmacy

When filling out the address form, you will see that the country is already filled out with Deutschland/ Germany . You must first change that to your own country by using the drop-down list to— U.K., UNITED KINGDOM, Vereinigtes Königreich, Grossbritannien , etc — however it is expressed. Do this so that your postcode and the rest of your address is accepted. Otherwise you will be unable to order, and you will be tearing your hair out!

amazon.de ( German Amazon) also sell Pascoe and Hevert , but depending on the supplying pharmacy may or may not supply the UK. you can’t use the pharmaceutical reference numbers to order from Amazon.de. You must use the brand names.

B12 ampoules are only allowed to be sold by registered pharmacies in Germany, so Amazon is, so to speak a go-between.

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The following brands are usually available.

PANPHARMA ( formerly Rotexmedica)

1mg x 1ml ampoules B12 Depot ( Hydroxocobalamin)

Packet of 10

Pharmaceutical reference number16199653

Most popular B12 depot ampoule. Good value , but often out of stock.

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PASCOE b12 depot- package of 10 -1.5mg x 1ml ampoules

Pharmaceutical reference number—07568672

Packets of 10 x 10— 1.5mg x 1mg ( 100 ampoules) pharmaceutical reference number— 0756 8695

The Pascoe are much cheaper per packet if you buy the offer of 10 packets. If you inject weekly or more frequently., you will be covered. Otherwise, some ampoules may become out of date.

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HEVERT B12 DEPOT 1mg x 2ml ampoules. 1 packet of 10 pharmaceutical reference number 0607 8368.

HEVERT B12 DEPOT 1mg x 2ml 10 packets ( 100 ampoules) pharmaceutical reference number 0607 8380

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Use the pharmaceutical reference numbers to order from the pharmacies, it’s easier, but not if buying from amazon.de ( use brand names)

The above brands also sell Cynocobalamin ampoules. They are called B12. — NOT B12 DEPOT which is Hydroxocobalamin . Always enlarge the picture of the packets., to make sure you are ordering the correct ampoule that you want .

Hope that this helps .

[Beadbuddy in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you so much wedgedwood. I taken photos of all your pages as since my stroke last year my retention memory has become very poor. Combine that with the passing of my 43yr old Grandson a month ago plus my youngest is now having treatment on his bladder and maybe op on his kidneys, trying to cope with all these dramas it’s become imperative that more B12 will give the boost I need.

Beadbuddy

[wedgewood in reply to Beadbuddy]

I’m really sorry to hear about your stroke, Beadbuddy . Also the passing of your grandson is hard to bear . I wish all the best for your son .Yes , this stress means that you need your b12 more than ever . It will help you such a lot . Dont forget a modest daily Folic acid tablet ( 400 mcg ) It works with B12 . Very best wishes .

[Libuse]

orange every time. Florence. I SI EOD and the surgery use the blue needle every 3 months. It hurts!

[FlorencePocket-Owl in reply to Libuse]

Thank you.

[B12again]

I use 1ml diabetic syringes complete with 29G 13mm needle attached. I find the 13mm needle works for me perfectly well for administering B12 IM injections into thighs and arms. It’s ok for SC too. No pain. I can draw up the liquid without a separate needle. But if you want to do it the separate needle way get the 2ml syringes, 1.5” (green) needle for drawing up into syringe and 13 mm (00.5”), 29 or30G needles for injections.

[FlorencePocket-Owl in reply to B12again]

Thank you.

[FlipperTD]

This is about phlebotomy rather than injection, but the principles still apply.

Needle gauge is SWG, which is the old Imperial Standard Wire Gauge. Comparing flow rates through 19, 21, 23 and 25, each time to you go down a size, the flow rate halves. So, taking blood samples, it's twice as quick through a 19 as a 21, and 23 is the smallest I'd ever consider using for blood collection as it causes trauma to the cells, and takes much longer to get the sample. They're all fiendishly sharp, and if you don't see what's being used I reckon most folks can't tell the difference. So, bigger is quicker, but it makes a slightly bigger hole.

[helvella in reply to FlipperTD]

Which gauge tends to be attached to the Vacutainer-type collection devices?

[FlipperTD in reply to helvella]

Probably the most common is a 21g, although I've used 22g [which I'd previously never seen.] Other sizes are probably 'Butterfly' devices with a cannula, which will interface with Vacutainer, Greiner Vacuette and also Sarstedt Monovette blood collection systems. It's quite a skill to use them correctly, as many folks who try have never actually been trained in the finer points, and consequently they're learning on us! If I was aske about what needle size should I use to take blood, the answer always is 'the biggest you can get away with!'