I have been prescribed daily B12 shots. I was a bit squeamish about giving them to myself, but I figured I could do it. Then I watched a few videos on YouTube that warned injecting into a vein can be dangerous or even deadly! My doctor instructed to administer the medication intramuscularly in my thigh and he showed me how to squeeze the skin before injecting. But how do I know I'm actually in the muscle and not in a vein. Now I'm really scared to do this myself. Help!
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Injecting B12 into a vein is not dangerous...
But to know whether an IM injection needle has gone into a vein, you can pull back a tiny bit on the syringe once it is in your thigh, and if you get blood return, then you are in a vein.
So just back out the whole syringe/needle a little so the end of the needle exits the vein, and then you should be ok.
But again, I wouldn't worry about injecting B12 into a vein...it is a very safe vitamin...
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
I just started doing B12 shots daily about two months ago. They were not as scary as I thought they'd be and they help my anxiety and depression DRAMATICALLY.
90% of the time I don't feel anything. The trick is to get the needle in quickly. If you hesitate it hurts more. I use the side and top of my thighs. The only reaction I've ever had to one was from the neurological symptoms I already have from Lyme.
I aspirate (pull back on the syringe) before I inject to make sure I'm not in a blood vessel. My doctor also said to make sure you clear the syringe of air (mine are pre-filled).
I also watched the youtube videos before I did it. Be careful not to watch too much and psych yourself out about it. I'm someone that hates needles and when I do B12, I don't even feel it at all. How large is your volume of liquid?
When I called the pharmacy where I got mine, they said most people with Lyme are doing them sub-Q. My doctor has me do them IM like you.
Posted by Kat1777 (Member # 39231) on :
I'm taking half a mL daily. I think my doctor ordered either subQ OR IM syringes, but the pharmacy gave me the IM. They're long and scary, but I've heard that intramuscular is better for B12. The thing I'm not sure about is if I aspirate, how do I know that there is blood? The B12 liquid is already bright red, so I'm not sure how I'd differentiate blood from it. Mind you, my doctor did not mention anything about aspirating and such. He just showed me how to squeeze my thigh and said to go in quickly. Never mentioned any precautions whatsoever. He did say I could come in and have a nurse show me how to do the first dose if I felt the need, but it's a long trip that I'd rather not have to make. As soon as I call the pharmacy to ask a question, I'm going to give this a go. I hope I don't pass out in the process!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I've wondered the same thing, Kat .. about how do we know if it's blood or B12 we are drawing up. Guess you'd know.
I have trouble keeping air out of my syringe. Seems those bubbles are hard to get rid of no matter how much I tap the syringe.
All that said, I've done these shots in my arm for about 10-12 yrs!! Haven't died yet!
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
I have done them sub Q around my belly button for a year. I used to do them IM and see no difference in effectiveness doing them sub Q versus IM except it is easier now.
Doing them IM once I did hit a vein, felt sick as a dog and thought I was going to pass out. It is sub Q for me.
Posted by Kat1777 (Member # 39231) on :
Well, I survived. I tried aspirating but I was met with resistance, so I'm guessing I hit the muscle. Not sure.
The needle didn't hurt at all going in but the site stung a little when I took it out. A bit of the B12 pooled around the injection site as well. I guess there's no way around that?
How do you all handle site rotation? I'm planning to alternate legs each day, but can I move to a different part of my upper thigh each time?
Thanks for helping squeamish me. I knew I never wanted to work in the medical field. Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
I'm glad it went well! I watch my doctor do IV's on me all the time and when he's in a vein the blood that pulls back into the needle hub is very dark red. The B12 is much lighter and clearer in comparison.
When I aspirate, I get some resistance and also the needle hub fills with clear space. I alternate legs and also sites. Sometimes I do it more to the side and other times on top of my leg.
I haven't tried them sub-q but it sounds a little less intimidating. I've been doing okay with the IM injections. That's how my LLMD wanted me doing it.
I had the .5ml first but then had it switched to a full ml. My dose is low per day (1mg) so when I did the .5ml over 1/4 of the dose remained in the needle hub. Now I get about 80-90% of the dose into my body each time with the increased volume.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Kat .. just make sure you don't pull the needle out too soon. I think that is why it sometimes will pool.
I tried doing these in my legs... hurt like %$#&!! Prefer the arm.
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