Advice regarding IM injecting please

[yorkshiregirl4]

I self inject SC hydroxocobalamin most days but also ensure that I receive the two monthly IM injection at my GP surgery. On a recent appointment a new HCA gave me the IM injection and for the first time drew up the injection whilst I was there rather than having it prepared before I arrived, as usually happens.

The HCA snapped the ampoule, drew the contents into the syringe and used the same needle to inject the contents. I was very surprised because I use a needle with a filter to draw the liquid into the syringe and change to a thinner needle to SC inject.

I know we have very knowledgeable assistance here and wonder if this process was inappropriate and should I comment upon this for future appointments? Many thanks.

[wedgewood]

It’s not inappropriate to do that . The ampoules are designed to hold onto the liquid when turned upside down . I tried this at first when I started self-injecting . But I wasn’t very good at it and spilled b12 in the process

Also in the withdrawal process , using the one needle can lead to it being blunted ( OUCH!) on the glass of the ampoule . That’s when I took to using a long withdrawing

. But yes it is a correct way of injection to just use the one needle .

[yorkshiregirl4 in reply to wedgewood]

Many thanks for your advice. I do think the injection was more painful. I guess it is just once every 8 weeks!

[Wheat]

hello, I used to use filter needle but rather expensive. so researched and learnt that likelyhood of glass being injected and causing problems is minute. So smallest guage long needle for draw up and then use small needle to inject.

Also that medical staff do not use filter needles. It is usual for them to only use one needle. Like wedgewood this is a knack Ive not mastered. x

[yorkshiregirl4 in reply to Wheat]

I just wondered what happens at other GP's particularly as I have always had the syringe prepared before I arrive but many thanks for your reply.

[Hockey_player]

I use the same needle to draw up the B12 and to inject. The bottles have a rubber seal on them and the needle goes through that.

[yorkshiregirl4 in reply to Hockey_player]

I understand about the rubber seal as some covid jabs were prepared like that over here in the UK. My concern was in relation to shards of glass. Thank you for your advice Hockey_player.

[Fluffyfloo]

The pharmacist told me I needed to use a filter needle to draw out of the ampule. Then change the needle. I'm in the US.

[yorkshiregirl4 in reply to Fluffyfloo]

That's interesting. I thought that the B12 in the US was predominantly stored in a glass container with a rubber stopper/stopper. Your pharmacist obviously has high standards and I will certainly continue to use a filter needle for self injection. Thank you for your reply.