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Can you settle an argument regarding where to inject B12?

maryb

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Just off the top of my head (and its foggy) I inject B12 with SC needles ie. those used for insulin injections. Therefore only into the top layer of skin, anywhere, usually thighs, belly etc.
IM injections are something else. Different needles etc.
 

Valentijn

Senior Member
Messages
15,786
Everything I've read (and my doctor's prescription) says it should be intramuscular. But a lot of doctors won't prescribe it for their patients to do themselves, so they end up doing it subcutaneously. The nurses at my GP's office showed me how to do it intramuscularly a couple times, and now I do it myself at home.

A larger amount of fluid feels a helluva lot nicer in the muscle than under the skin, but it requires a much bigger needle. The location (muscle versus fat) also determines how quickly it disperses. People doing it subcutaneously have reported very long-term pink spots at the injection site :p

So basically do it intramuscular if you can, but subcutaneous is better than nothing.
 
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maryb

iherb code TAK122
Messages
3,602
Location
UK
I think it depends on how much you're injecting as well, I use BD micro fine needles .5 or 1ml.
Sometimes it goes in like a hot knife through butter and other times ouch!!
 

A.B.

Senior Member
Messages
3,780
For what it's worth, my CFS doc says it should be intramuscolar. Don't do this without training though (hitting a nerve is bad).
 

Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
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19,935
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Albuquerque
Here is one take on it: subcu acts sort of like a time release. Some doctors seem to recommend one way and some the other.

I do it subcut in the stomach with 1/2 inch, 30 gauge needles. Pull up a big pinch of fat/flesh and inject straight down. I use hydrox. Note: in the stomach it must be below the navel an inch or two--below and to the side works best for me.

Sushi
 

heapsreal

iherb 10% discount code OPA989,
Messages
10,103
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australia (brisbane)
subcut no more then 1ml, if its greater then 1ml then intramuscular and to be comfortable up to 3mls. Can do 5 mls IMI in the thigh generally speaking.
Upper outer thigh is the location.
Subcut can be done into belly fat but make sure u have someone show u?
Needle size for subcut is 25g to 27g , the higher the number the smaller the needle.
For imi 23g is fine. insert the needle all the way leaving say 1ml outside the skin, they say this just incase there is an accidental needle breakage and its easier to retrieve the needle. 25yrs of doing this im yet to see it break off?
 

justy

Donate Advocate Demonstrate
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5,524
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U.K
I was told to do sub cut and taught how by a nurse - really easy to do, not painful and no red lumps. I did daily injections at only half the amount prescribed as I was sensitive to the effects, so perhaps not a lot in amount of liquid.

I don't really fancy injecting myself into muscle - bet it hurts like hell.
 

Valentijn

Senior Member
Messages
15,786
I don't really fancy injecting myself into muscle - bet it hurts like hell.
I like it better than my subcutaneous injections. There aren't any nerves getting hit by the intramuscular injection, whereas there's pretty much always nerves nearby for the subcutaneous injection. The straight-in angle for intramuscular is easier for me than the 45 degree stuff too :p

The muscle can hurt afterward, but usually just if I poke it.
 

justy

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5,524
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I like it better than my subcutaneous injections. There aren't any nerves getting hit by the intramuscular injection, whereas there's pretty much always nerves nearby for the subcutaneous injection. The straight-in angle for intramuscular is easier for me than the 45 degree stuff too :p

The muscle can hurt afterward, but usually just if I poke it.

That's interesting - I was never told I needed a specific angle or anything or warned about nerves. I just grab a bit of fat on hip and stick it in. Mostly it doesn't hurt at all, but some times it seems to hurt a bit wherever you try and get it in.