I have taken B12 shots for about 8 yrs. I have done them both SubQ and IM. I still don't understand why some say it should be one way and others say the other way.
So which is it??
I want to get my Dr to prescribe methlycobalamin insead of cyano. He will do this. I've already asked. But should I do them SubQ or IM?
His nurse asked him for another script for syringes and he ordered for IM. I've been doing it this way about 4 yrs I think.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Sublingual is said to pass into the bloodstream via those veins and arteries that are so prominent under your tongue. IM is to be sure that the B12 gets directly into the bloodstream.
The reason that either of these methods are preferable to oral supplements, is because the digestive acids in our stomach tends to destroy B12 ... so if you are deficient, oral supplements won't raise blood levels as well.
BTW, if you can tolerate liver (and onions?), this is one of the best food sources of B12.
I think that it is important to take ALL of the B vitamins together: as the nutritionist Adelle Davis said they are synergistic (work together) and that taking an overdose of one, will cause a deficiency in others. I believe that B12 is commonly given to folks with low hemoglobin? Thought to increase red blood cells that carry oxygen? Davis said that in as many times as not, this form of anemia can be caused by a Vitamin E deficiency! (Vitamin E preserves oxygen in the blood, so that it works longer, and more efficiently.)
Seems like you have been taking B12 for a heckuva long time - and your'e not seeing any improvement?? I would take the sublingual AND INCREASE my B-COMPLEX, AND take a natural Vitamin E (400 IUs to start, then increase to 800 IUs).
Since I am a smoker I have been taking Vitamin E for DECADES (Natural D-Alpha tocopherol is the most bio-active form)... and as a side benefit, people are always commenting on how I have beautiful clear and wrinkle-free skin!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I take B complex and E already.
I was asking about subcutaneous. You made me venture out and try to spell it, didn't you? So if I misspelled it you can laugh at me!
Sublinguals always contain sugar. (?)
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
I would guess it does not matter but when I gave myself the shots I did it IM. They did not work because I can't assimilate regular B12. After having the methy cycle panel mutations done, I need Hydroxy B12 and I take that orally. It has made a big difference.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Heartfixer says if you are supplementing the wrong form, you will actually get worse because your body cannot "find" the form you can use. It is hidden by the huge amounts of B12 you are taking that is useless.
Normally you would take methy B12 but if you have a COMT mutation, you have too many methyl groups "floating around" so you need to take hydroxy B12. Very complicated!
I am just saying this because it is more important that you are getting the right form of B12 that your body can assimilate than where you are taking it - sublingual, oral, IM or SL.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Lymetoo - Your spelling was perfect!
nefferdun - INTERESTING! Never heard of this!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks, neffer... I'm on a search.
Aunty, I used to be able to spell ANYTHING. Now it's not as easy as it once was. Maybe I need the RIGHT B12!
neffer... where do you find hydroxy B12?
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
I can't believe our own Ms teacher Tutu would misspell(that doesn't look right?) anything?
Pam
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
Sub Q are much easier to do. We use an insulin syringe and shoot around the navel.
Methlycobalamin is the better form to buy because your body can use right away.
Cyancobalamin has to be converted by the body to methylcobalamin. Although it is cheaper, if your body can't convert it you are wasting your money.
Infuserveamerica.com has the best pricing I have found on methylcobalamin vials.
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
I am em-bare-assed to say (yes TUTU, spelled wrong for humor)..
I have two bottles of Vitamin B12....I even have the needles.
Can't figure out how to give myself the shot in the muscle..it is a challenge since I am padded well to find the muscle.
Any ideas? My neighbor used to do my shots, but this one seems to creep me out more than the bicillin.
go figure.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by map1131: I can't believe our own Ms teacher Tutu would misspell(that doesn't look right?) anything?
Pam
- I catch myself in errors all the time. I KNOW some slip by me. Most frustrating is when I type "here" for "hear" and I know full well the difference!!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dogsandcats: I am em-bare-assed to say (yes TUTU, spelled wrong for humor)..
I have two bottles of Vitamin B12....I even have the needles.
Can't figure out how to give myself the shot in the muscle..it is a challenge since I am padded well to find the muscle.
Any ideas? My neighbor used to do my shots, but this one seems to creep me out more than the bicillin.
go figure.
-
(I love your spelling prowess!)
I just give the shots in my arms. I proudly told my Dr's nurse that I can even do it left-handed! Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
We can help you DogsandCats!
Make sure your B12 vials are not expired first. Also verify that the shots are supposed to be IM.
Easiest muscles for you to use are in your legs.
Wear shorts and sit down in a comfy seat. Visually divide your thigh into 4 squares. The muscular area is in the upper outer quadrant (close to your torso, close to your arm).
Pick your site and scrub it well with an alcohol pad. If you have good padding you won't need to pinch for the shot, spread the skin tight instead. Dart the needle in and you are good to go
Sorry if my verbal instructions are lacking. I could better show you how but you live far away...
Good luck!
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
Sammy gave you good instructions for IM Injection. I used to do them that exact way.
I am curious as to why your doctor has you doing IM instead of Sub Q injections. Both mainstream LLMD's I have seen say Sub Q is fine and it is so much easier and painless.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks, sammy. I tried years ago to give them to myself in my thighs and it hurt like heck. I think I may have gone too far away from my torso.
I even tried on top of my thigh... OUCH!!!
I guess I should have been shown how to do them!! Ya think??
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
Do you mean give the shot on the top of my leg/ thigh and not my hiney?
Don't know how I would twist to see that!
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Lymetoo, I once asked THE Dr. B about this. He said to take them IM, because it goes straight to the brain this way. However, at Dr. H's, they said sub-Q was fine. Of course, sub-Q is way less painful
(not that IM is undo-able). But I bet Dr. B is right, as usual. I've just been on the chicken side, so still do them sub-Q.
Yes, I think nefferdun is really onto something important about whether we have methylation problems or not---many of us do.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by sammy:
Wear shorts and sit down in a comfy seat. Visually divide your thigh into 4 squares. The muscular area is in the upper outer quadrant (close to your torso, close to your arm).
- Dogs.. YES! But from she says, do not hit the top of your thigh like I did! Ouch!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I still wanna know where to buy Hydroxy B12. May try that if it doesn't contain sugar.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I agree, I would rather give myself a sub-q shot. They are so simple and painless.
For IM B12 it would be easiest to give yourself the shots in the thigh, it is not necessary to use the butt site (the quantity of the medicine is not large enough for you to need that site).
When you divide your thigh in the 4 squares to find your site, look more towards the middle area of the chosen square(and always feel for the muscle). This should be easy for you to see and reach, and you should have nice muscle mass here. It shouldn't really hurt much.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
The arm is not that painful.
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
I am so confused....how does one feel a muscle - I am a big girl and can't tell the difference between "fat" and muscle
what would be the downside if i don't shoot it into a muscle?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I don't know, Dogs... I have very little muscle left!!
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I was told the IM injections take longer to absorb, thus more steady/sustained release than the subQ shots...
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Usually when you sit down extra skin and fat kinda pools to the sides of your legs (sorry, I know that sounds awful!). I don't know how else to describe it. I happens to everyone.
If you flex the muscles in your leg you will see and feel them tighten and raise upwards some. Put your hand on your leg and that will help you feel it move. This will be in the middle of your leg along the bone.
If you don't hit the muscle, you will probably hit fatty tissue. It will really depend on where you inject. You may have a more difficult time absorbing the larger amount of B12 intended for the IM shot if you inject it into the fatty/sub-q tissue.
If you don't feel comfortable with the IM shots, you could also ask your doctor to change your script to sub-q and order new syringes. That way the medicine doesn't go to waste and you get to feel better
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