Self Injections B12, Abdominal or Elsewhere?

Thanks Nancy!

Sissy.

Hi Sissy,
I have Kaiser for my insurance, and my PCP prescribed them for me.  A 3 month supply, with 3 needles cost me $10.55.

I went to my pharmacy and bought it over the counter for 5.00 and its a 10ml bottle. I'm in southern ontario. 

I'm in Southern Ontario as well.  I didn't know you could get it OTC.  So you can just go to any pharmacy and ask for injectable B12 and they give you that and syringes?  Also, what type of B12 do they give you?  I can only find cyanocobalamin but am looking for methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin.  Do you know where I could find those?

The vial of B12 cost me 6.00 and a few bucks for the syringes, theres 30ml in a vial.

The nurse told me it was not a good idea to give myself B12 injections because they should be given in the hip and in your hip there is the siatic nerve.  If you hit it you could permenetly numb it.  I just go in, to me its better safe than sorry.  Have a great day and God bless, Penni

My hematologist and gastroenterologist said that intramuscular was best, so I give myself a jab in the thigh once a month. I don't find it painful at all, but I've been known to have a high tolerance so your mileage my vary.

At any rate,it makes me feel a lot better and really helps with my iron absorption.

A nurse gave me my shots (B1 and B12) in my stomach 1 time..and only once..it hurt like hell. My brother (yes, my brother) gives them to me in my upper/outer butt. As someone else mentioned they need to be intramuscular. I know that I am (and im sure my brother too) are happy to only have them once a month now and not every day.

I take my B12 once a week. I take it IM. Fortunately I am an RN so I can easily get someone at work to give it to me. I call it "Give your boss a shot day!" Surprisingly the best shots are give by some of the "non" nurses. I think the absorption is better for me in the muscle. I take them in the arm or hip. If you want to get them in the hip: divide one side of your butt into 4. Stick in the upper, outer quadrant. You should not have any problem with the sciatic nerve. Good Luck!

 I do it all the time, lean on a chair, after you drop your draws lift a leg and on the same side stick it in the booty.  The leg being lifted helps the burning sensation and better absorbtion.

I am not a medical professional, but that was I was told from the nurse.