Different B12 injection but why?

[ecrituredouce]

I have regular B12 injections so I'm very used to them by now, I've had tonnes of them.

Today I had one privately and it's gone totally differently to usual or ever before. I didn't feel it "going in" (not the stab of the needle but anyone who has B12 knows that feeling pressure as they force the liquid in, it's very distinctive).

My arm also doesn't hurt at all whereas normally it's very sore afterwards. I can't feel that anything has happened at all which is really weird. This has never happened before so I'm a bit worried about the effectiveness.

How could it be so different to normal?
(I don't have any doubts about the injector, by the way, they are a healthcare professional and very experienced.)

Thanks for any thoughts or advice.

I’d say it’s just a different (and better) injector. Depending on who does DD’s B12 injections they’re either really painful or else she feels absolutely nothing. When we got a private aesthetics nurse to do it she had no idea it had even been done! Usually when we go to our regular GP practice nurse they’re very stingy and painful. Exact same B12 solution injected each time as we always provide it and I watch it going in!

If it was red solution then it’s the usual hydroxocobalamin.
It hurts less if you use a bigger syringe, you don’t need to force it as much. Also, if injected really slowly instead of slamming it in, it hurts less. It’s supposed to be injected slowly over 10 seconds because the solution stings so much, but not every injector sticks to this.

It also hurts more if your arm/muscle is tense. If your arm is relaxed and floppy down at your side it hurts less so it could be a combination of factors.

It can depend on the temperature of the liquid. It should be STORED refrigerated, but if it’s allowed to come up to room temperature before administration the injection nips less/ feels less “pressurey”.

I must have had more than 20 different injectors, maybe 30 plus, and it's never not hurt. Even if the first stab and push in of the liquid goes well, my arm has always, always been painful and achy afterwards and I have to not practice my cello afterwards for a few days until it calms down.

Well, this is an eye-opener. I've been going through pain with the NHS all for no reason, is that right? That's really quite upsetting if true. 😟

Why can't the NHS inject me like this?
I've been worried sick about the injections affecting my cello playing when they could have just injected me with a better technique? 😭

It didn't take any longer if anyone's wondering that, btw 😕

Why are you seeming so concerned about it? If it didn’t hurt this time then surely that’s a bonus? DD has had about 15 (diagnosed with pernicious anaemia a few years ago) and yes usually they are quite sore but sometimes not so much. No big deal

I thinking blaming it on the NHS is a bit extreme and over dramatic to be honest. We go to a private GP practice nurse a lot of the time and it still hurts. It’s individual skill between different practitioners

Never not hurting and not being able to play cello is definitely not normal. Sometimes they nip more that others , but I’ve never had arm pain (like with a Covid jab or travel vaccination) for more than a minute or so.

I usually (by which I mean every time before this) have arm muscle pain for about 24 hours following the shot. And I always have a relaxed arm.

I’ve had loads -always on the NHS. Some have hurt, others haven’t. I’ve always put it down to injector technique.

I think it's supposed to hurt?

I have needles stuck in me all the time, and the only one that really hurts is when I get my B12 jabs. A nurse explained to me that it's not about the needle size or how they inject it... it's the solution inside that causes that stinging each time.

I've had the same nurses do different jabs (and some really have been just a scratch), so I'm inclined to agree the pain is generally down to the B12 and not the person injecting it.

Why are you seeming so concerned about it?

Because I've had wayyyy more than 15 injections, and it's suddenly totally different for the first time in my life. And I have PA too so I need to know it's been effective.

It was injected, maybe painlessly but it was still done. The B12 will have gone in and you’ll be fine

Thanks, you are right. I need to remind myself of the facts 🙏