Silly question about actually having the jab

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

I'll be honest and say I'm a hopeless needle phobe (or rather I was) to the point of avoiding IM injections for over 30 years ... but yesterday I had the first AZ jab and felt quite literally nothing

It goes without saying I'm delighted, but I wondered if there's anyone on here who can tell me how this works? After all skin and muscles have pain receptors, so I just don't get how they can shove an (admittedly thin) needle into them with absolutely no sensation at all

And yes, I realise there are a lot more things going on than my silliness, but I like to understand things and would be really grateful if anyone out there can help me to understand this

I have to inject myself with blood thinners - sometimes it hurts, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes i can feel the stuff going in as i push the plunger, sometimes i can't. It's weird. I'd go with skill of injector + a bit of random luck + distraction.

Had Pfizer yesterday, felt small scratch.

@Rollergirl11

I had mine done 2 hours ago and I definitely felt it go in and it stung a little after as well as there being a little blood.

Do you have thin upper arms? I would imagine if a person is thin or muscley, then the needle travels through the layer of fat (which possibly doesnt hurt so much) and hits right into the muscle. It could even nick the bone? Maybe someone medical could explain if this ever happens?

Good to see all you helpful people still on here and yes, the thing about receptors and the tiny dose makes perfect sense

Am now trying to work out how many receptors my upper arm has, and hoping that the second dose isn't much bigger ... as in whether by the time they have even more supply they'll be using bicycle pumps to get it in!!

And yes I know that's ridiculous, but that's what a (hopefully now past) phobia does to you

Dose 1 and 2 are the same volume.

New needle, new syringe, but one bottle for several people. There's always some of any injection left in the tube of the needle which can't be squeezed out, and is wasted. Like the last bit of toothpaste in the tube - you know it's there but it won't come out. They fill the bottles with a bit extra than the amount needed for the doses to account for that wastage.

By using teeny tiny needles, you minimise that waste, which is why they've been able to squeeze out an extra dose.