How to do B-12 (Vitneurin) injections?
July 19, 2015 1:06 PM Subscribe
I ordered Vitneurin (B-12) from alldaychemist.com, as seen here. It came in ampules which look like they have to be broken. I have no idea how to do this, or what sort of needle/syringes to buy. Can anyone offer more info? Thanks!
You'll need a needle with a filter. You'll need the appropriate needle length and gauge for an intramuscular injection. BUT you should really talk to your doctor before injecting yourself with anything, even "just" a vitamin.
posted by pintapicasso at 1:20 PM on July 19, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by pintapicasso at 1:20 PM on July 19, 2015 [3 favorites]
Imagine breaking a pencil held in both hands - your thumbs are where you want the break to be, and they push forward while the rest of your hands pull back on each side.
The ampule neck is 'snapped' just the same way. It's a good idea to cover the area where the break will be with an alcohol prep pad.
YOU MUST USE A FILTER STRAW to suck out the liquid! Put a filter straw on a 1 or 3 ml IV syringe. Suck up the liquid. Take off the filter straw and attach a needle. Aim the needle up, flick the syringe to get the air to the top, push out the air.
Most importantly, don't buy these ampules or administer B12 shots to yourself.
posted by markjamesmurphy at 1:25 PM on July 19, 2015 [6 favorites]
The ampule neck is 'snapped' just the same way. It's a good idea to cover the area where the break will be with an alcohol prep pad.
YOU MUST USE A FILTER STRAW to suck out the liquid! Put a filter straw on a 1 or 3 ml IV syringe. Suck up the liquid. Take off the filter straw and attach a needle. Aim the needle up, flick the syringe to get the air to the top, push out the air.
Most importantly, don't buy these ampules or administer B12 shots to yourself.
posted by markjamesmurphy at 1:25 PM on July 19, 2015 [6 favorites]
Response by poster: I am willing to pitch these ampules (they were cheap) but my doctor DID recommend Vitamin B shots for my deficiency. And was very happy to charge me $70 each for them. Other suggestions are welcome ... can the liquid be filtered and taken orally?
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 1:28 PM on July 19, 2015
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 1:28 PM on July 19, 2015
If you can, look for a clinic where a nurse or doctor can teach you about using these ampules and injecting yourself. It's a fairly common thing. I'm told that lots of senior citizens need B-12 injections, and it's not unusual for them to inject themselves -- after training.
posted by amtho at 1:29 PM on July 19, 2015
posted by amtho at 1:29 PM on July 19, 2015
Training = a few minutes with a nurse or doctor, where they explain what to do and you do it yourself one time under the watchful eyes of a professional. After that, you should be able to do it on your own.
Suggestion - get some Betadine and some cotton balls to clean the injection site.
posted by amtho at 1:30 PM on July 19, 2015
Suggestion - get some Betadine and some cotton balls to clean the injection site.
posted by amtho at 1:30 PM on July 19, 2015
Get a second opinion. Also, I am always seeing deals for B12 shots at medical spas on all the Groupon type deal sites. How often did he recommend you get them?
Also, tell him you can't afford the price and you need a different way of obtaining B12. How did he determine you are B12 deficient?
if your doc doesn't have any ideas, go talk to your local pharmacist. They can help. They can even discuss with your doctor what cheaper means of obtaining the ne essay B12 in your system could be.
posted by discopolo at 1:35 PM on July 19, 2015
Also, tell him you can't afford the price and you need a different way of obtaining B12. How did he determine you are B12 deficient?
if your doc doesn't have any ideas, go talk to your local pharmacist. They can help. They can even discuss with your doctor what cheaper means of obtaining the ne essay B12 in your system could be.
posted by discopolo at 1:35 PM on July 19, 2015
i have to inject myself (not b12). it's not that hard (not much fun either) once someone shows you how.
however, i have a spring-loaded contraption that takes the syringe and makes life much easier (you just press a button and thwack, in it goes...). once you've learnt what to do, you might try looking for one of those, if this is something you'll be doing for years.
posted by andrewcooke at 1:48 PM on July 19, 2015
however, i have a spring-loaded contraption that takes the syringe and makes life much easier (you just press a button and thwack, in it goes...). once you've learnt what to do, you might try looking for one of those, if this is something you'll be doing for years.
posted by andrewcooke at 1:48 PM on July 19, 2015
I give myself B-12 injections now, after years of having them done at the doctor's office. Ask your doctor to call in a prescription for cyanocobalamin. It's pretty cheap. You should also get a script for the syringes - they are super cheap.
I will say that I have gotten the cyanocobalamin in two different forms and I'm not sure why - one is single use and one is multiple. I prefer single use so I don't have to measure it so carefully but it does mean I have to pick it up from the pharmacy every month. I've never had it come in an ampule (the only time I've seen that is when I ordered it online while overseas and away from my pharmacy.)
posted by cessair at 2:05 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
I will say that I have gotten the cyanocobalamin in two different forms and I'm not sure why - one is single use and one is multiple. I prefer single use so I don't have to measure it so carefully but it does mean I have to pick it up from the pharmacy every month. I've never had it come in an ampule (the only time I've seen that is when I ordered it online while overseas and away from my pharmacy.)
posted by cessair at 2:05 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
Just how deficient are you? When I was deficient the solution my doctor arrived at was for me to take a 1000 mcg pill daily. It's worked well for me to get up to the proper level and maintain it.
posted by gudrun at 2:20 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by gudrun at 2:20 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
can the liquid be filtered and taken orally?
No. Do not do this.
If you are able to buy syringes and needles, you'll need both a filter needle to draw up the fluid and a non-filter needle to inject yourself.
(discopolo, sorry, but you will always hate ampules, forever and ever amen.)
posted by shiny blue object at 2:25 PM on July 19, 2015 [2 favorites]
No. Do not do this.
If you are able to buy syringes and needles, you'll need both a filter needle to draw up the fluid and a non-filter needle to inject yourself.
(discopolo, sorry, but you will always hate ampules, forever and ever amen.)
posted by shiny blue object at 2:25 PM on July 19, 2015 [2 favorites]
Are you supposed to be injecting subcutaneously, or intramuscular?
With the ampoules I use, I snap away from me, with the dot facing away, and wrap in one of my alcohol wipes first around where the break will be so I'm less likely to cut myself.
Did you pay $70 per ampoule?? This is way, way too much. There are European suppliers that break down to less than a $1US/ampoule.
Ampoules make me more comfortable because I'm not dealing with preservatives or worried about sterilization issues as much as a multi-use bottle, but yes, if you're going to be meticulous, that means you also need to invest in filter needles to draw up the B12 into your syringe, and then replace with the injection needle (size dependent on the type of injection, your amount of body fat, etc.).
If you make an appt with your doctor's nurse to walk you through this it will be worth every penny.
posted by blue suede stockings at 4:37 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
With the ampoules I use, I snap away from me, with the dot facing away, and wrap in one of my alcohol wipes first around where the break will be so I'm less likely to cut myself.
Did you pay $70 per ampoule?? This is way, way too much. There are European suppliers that break down to less than a $1US/ampoule.
Ampoules make me more comfortable because I'm not dealing with preservatives or worried about sterilization issues as much as a multi-use bottle, but yes, if you're going to be meticulous, that means you also need to invest in filter needles to draw up the B12 into your syringe, and then replace with the injection needle (size dependent on the type of injection, your amount of body fat, etc.).
If you make an appt with your doctor's nurse to walk you through this it will be worth every penny.
posted by blue suede stockings at 4:37 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
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I am not your HCP, but as someone who takes supplements, I don't recommend this delivery system. Is there a reason why you can't do this orally at a higher dose? Or why you can't get B12 shots at a professional's office/clinic? Have you discussed this stuff with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist?
(Man do I hate ampules. I'm sure I'll like them fine someday, but, ugh.)
posted by discopolo at 1:16 PM on July 19, 2015 [3 favorites]