Topic: Is it okay if there is an air pocket in my *subcuteneous* (sorry) b-12 shot?
Hoosiers51
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posted
They are pre-filled syringes that I do in the upper-outer quadrant of the buttock.
There is a pretty decent sized air bubble in there....more like an air pocket.
Is that okay to inject into my muscle? The air?
I know this isn't my bloodstream, but I still want to make sure this is okay, that the air has somewhere to go, etc.
I'd like to do the shot soon, because I already had to switch out the needle once because the first one was clogged and wouldn't push....I just need some input.
Sammi
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Hoosiers51, I suggest calling a pharmacist. He/she should know if it is safe. Let us know what you find out.
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Hoosiers51
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ps---I tried flicking the bubble to the top, and squirting some out, but I was just loosing liquid, and the bubble was staying in the syringe.
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Hoosiers51
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Oh, good idea. I figured the compounding pharmacy would be closed, but I should call a regular pharmacy.
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Hoosiers51
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Pharmacist said try again to get the bubble out, so I did, and it FINALLY squirted out, but unfortunately I lost at least half the shot Oh well....thanks.
I paid for these out of pocket b/c they are preservative free....wonder if I should ask for a refund? haha i am so cheap.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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I'd take it in and ask for them to fill it the rest of the way up.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Carol in PA
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quote:Originally posted by Hoosiers51: I tried flicking the bubble to the top, and squirting some out, but I was just losing liquid, and the bubble was staying in the syringe.
Remove the needle cover, being careful not to stab yourself.
Hold the syringe with the needle upright.
You need to flick the syringe VERY firmly and repeatedly, to dislodge the bubble so that it will rise to the top.
Gently push the plunger, so that the air is pushed out of the syringe and through the needle.
Hope this helps. Carol
Posts: 6945 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Pinelady
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Yes that stuff is thick and requires repeated flicks to get air out.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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when giving IM injection, esp with staining meds (B-12) the air-bubble in the needle is there by the manufacturer as a "lock"
when you inject, do so at 90 degree angle, pull back slightly on plunger to make sure no blood comes back into needle. then proceed with injection. go slowly about 1ml/ per second. do NOT massage the area. the air bubble helps to ensure med goes and stays in muscle and does not seep into fatty tissues/ or out injection site.
above is info. you should have been taught by RN or MD for self injections. If you have not had formal teaching on proper injection tech. PLEASE arrage that before doing so at home !!!!!!
your MD can order home health even for injection techniques. Or even have MD office nurse teach you and you should be given written instuctions for reference
Also knowing proper muscles to use and landmarks is essential
I hope you were not given shots without instruction on how to preform self injections !!
scary thought, and have taught many pts over the years on injection tech/IV/etc. and leaving written material is important.
hope that helps. can google..nursing tech for IM injections using air lock...??
-------------------- i am not a Dr. any info is only for education, suggestion or to think/research. please do not mis-intuprest as diagnostic or prescriptive, only trying to help. **
dx in 08:lyme, rmsf, bart, babs, and m.pneumonia. Posts: 422 | From TX | Registered: Oct 2008
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Hoosiers51
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I was taught how to do my bicillin injections (or rather, someone in my home does them), and we need to aspirate the needle, so I do know about that process.
However, the B12 needle is much smaller, and they never told me to worry about aspirating. I guess I will have to ask. There is a sticker on the package that says, "Inject at a 45 degree angle."
Whereas my bicillin (which is a deep IM shot) does have to go in at a 90 degree angle. So my guess is that maybe this B12 is just a whole different procedure.
Also, the pharmacist told me that the large air pocket IS a problem, and not to inject it. (none of the other shots had that that I've ever seen)
So I finally did flick it VERY HARD, and it came out. Carol was right, you really can't be bashful with the flicking. So then I injected it just fine.
But just so everyone knows, according to my pharmacist, a very large bubble in the B12 subcutaneous injections is not okay!!!!
Also, maybe that's why the procedure is different...I don't believe this is IM, because it is labelled as subcutaneous (aka under the skin).
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Hoosiers51
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Haha, I just realized in the subject line I put "IM"...so that is probably where the confusion is coming from. Sorry!!!!! That was my fault. I don't think this is considered an IM shot, but rather a subcutaneous one.
That must be WHY it says, "inject at 45 degree angle"...because they don't want it that deep! Now it's becoming more clear to my little lyme brain, haha.
I will change the subject line so people don't think the beginning applies to an IM shot.
Because yes, my bicillin has air pockets, and supposedly that's okay. The only reason it alarmed me in the B12 is because I had never seen air in any of those for the months I've been using them.
Sorry, MY3BOYS, I probably scared you. I think the reason I assumed it was IM was because the location they told me to use was the same, probably because my limbs, etc aren't very meaty.
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Pinelady
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I have never heard of it subcue. I do mine IM.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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I had to inject testosterone when I was juicing up to join MLB, uh I mean when i had low testosterone levels. That stuff is like glue so it was even tougher than the B12. Sometimes you might have to turn the syringe completely sideways and flick it to get the bubble to even move. But keep playing with it until the bubble is right under the needle and you won't waste any when you press the bubble out.
Posts: 499 | From Indiana | Registered: Oct 2007
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Lymeorsomething
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I did B-12 Sub-Q...no problems. Generally, it's a good idea to aspirate everything. It's very difficult to put it in a vein, but I have put it through a vein and out the other side once and that leaves a nasty bruise.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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I've done B12 IM and subcutaneous. Either way, a little air is fine. No big deal. And I never pull back to check for blood...kinda pointless since the serum is red! Pulling back hurts more and causes more damage than actually hitting a vein for me!
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![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Oh well....thanks.
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