Any Nurses? B12 query

[itsnotso]

Does anyone know if the B12 injection can be administered incorrectly??

I've had the B12 injection every 3 months for the past 3 years. Every year I have a blood test. The process for my injection is always the same, goes in very very slowly and is often painful.

I went for my last B12 injection at the end of February and this time it was literally a stab in the arm and it was done. Felt very different. Normally, a week afterwards, I'm feeling funky-fresh, no more tiredness and generally a lot better in myself. But not this time. I'm sleeping 10 hours a night but still craving a granny-nap around 4pm (impossible with kids). The last few nights I've gone to bed with the kids at 7, and had 11.5 hours sleep. Yet I'm still like a zombie.

Is this normal?? Is it possible it's been injected incorrectly? Or am I just an overworked exhausted mum 😩

[Sforsh49]

I have B12 issues and I have the injections. They take literally 5 seconds it's not a drawn out injection by any means. I'm never great a week after it takes a good few days to kick in as it were. Maybe you need a loading dose again? I never believed a vitamin deficiency could make me feel so ill until I had this you have my sympathies!!

[itsnotso]

Ah @Sforsh49 really? Mine are always really drawn out, so much so that I get a running commentary from my 6 year old as to how much is left in the needle!!

I've not had any loading injections since I first started on it, so maybe I should ask? I don't feel ill as such, just exhausted and it's very debilitating. I'm like you, who knew it could cause such problems!

[user1471453601]

I've had these for over 20 years. They always hurt, not for long and not too much (I always liken it to pressing in a bruise). I have had injections that didn't hurt (few and far between). Like you, normally perk up within 24 hours.

What does surprise me is that you didn't have a loading dose. I had an injection every other day for a week or so.

Not sure what to advise really, just thought I'd tell you what my experience was

[swingofthings]

I inject mylsef and so took some time to find out doing it right for me. B12 injection have to be intramuscular, either in the arm of leg. I used to jab as horizontally as I could but then realised that they really need to be totally horizontal. I can't get the loading in one go, it burns too much so for me it's a slow process of getting all the fluid in. I have found that it is much less painful if the liquid is warmed up by holding it in my hand for a couple of minitrs

[Veterinari]

Usually quick and sting-y that’s normal.
Sounds like you might just need a loading dose again. Have you had bloods recently?

[Whereareyouspot]

Hi OP
Different nurses probably feel the need to give it slower whereas some whack it in! T won’t change the effectivenesss

But low B12 can be due to an autoimmune issue and they go hand in hand with others so might be worth a thyroid check if you haven’t had one fairly recently?

Just do a little body sweep mentally to check for other symptoms too like bowel changes, weight changes, appetite, pains, period changes etc and flag up to your GP if so.
If everything else is fine you might have a virus passing through so just give it time and see doc if you don’t perk up.

[boxlikeamarchhare]

I have these every 60 days and have done for a decade - quick and stingy, sometimes more than stingy.

[Bonkerz]

I've been having jabs now for a few years. Depends on which nurse objects me as to pain and speed.
I also let my friend and (then)husband inject me in my butt cheek. As long as it's into the muscle you can't actually go wrong. It does sound like you need more B12.
I find the more active I am or if I have some alcohol or if I've been poorly that I need to increase home doses.

[itsnotso]

Thanks for the replies. I did speak to my practice who are (of course) insistent that the dose will have been given correctly. I'm still so sleepy, despite knocking out 10 hours a night. I am due my bloods before my next B12, so I guess I'll just have to soldier on until then. Im not at all feeling sorry for myself🙄

[Bonkerz]

Have you thought about self injecting at home?

[itsnotso]

@Bonkerz no? I didn't know you could? I'm in the UK x

[boxlikeamarchhare]

I didn’t think you could in the UK. There used to be one doctor that sold it after a private consultation but he was made to stop.

OP I get injections every 56 days because a haematologist deemed them necessary. Make an appointment with your GP.

[Bonkerz]

I buy the B12 from versandepo in Germany. It's the same as what I get on prescription.
The needles and syringes come from medisave.
My GP knows I self inject.

[Bonkerz]

www.versandapo.de/vitamin-b12-depot-rotexmedica-injektionsloesung-100x1ml-pzn-03862305

[itsnotso]

I suppose I'd have to import them. I don't know whether it's something I could do myself, I'm a bit of a whimp! But I'll certainly discuss it with my GP.

[Bonkerz]

They deliver to UK. I've been ordering for nearly 2 years. I order online. Pay via PayPal and they deliver 7-10 days later!!!!!!

I still have my jab at doctors every 8 weeks but I have so many symptoms that I need them weekly sometimes more and despite the NIcE guidelines the GP won't let me have them more so this was the only way to make myself feel better. You can't overdose on it so it's safe!

[swingofthings]

I also order from them, you can order a big bulk that will last a couple of years. Injecting yourself is a bit trial and error, but ilas long as you get it in the muscle you're OK. I actually like doing it tool myself now much better than getting a nurse to do it. For me, it has to be a very slow going in process!

So nice to do one injection when I get the sign that I need it rather than waiting for the 3 months appointment. For me, its when I start getting out of breath just walking that I know it's time to inject again, usually every 6 weeks or so.