[Jerwittdergut]

My husband does mine in the stomach.

[sisimelanyk]

I decided to switch to IM, but I haven't mixed my next batch of hcg yet because I wanted to know if IM injections absolutely have to be done in the butt, or if they can be done in the arm? If not, then I'll have to make a trip to the store to get more 1/2" needles and continue SQ.

[Sheefeadalfuh]

oops, I posted before I finished writing. I am sure you can do it in the arm....

[buyviagraonlineusatoday]

I give my son IM injections of something else. He has 1 1/2" needles and they told us not to use that long of one in the arm or leg. We have some medical folks on here so hopefully one of them will hop on and give you their opinion.

[wrardymar]

I only thought the arm would be okay because I remember when I was in the 9th grade they gave us vaccinations in the arm, and I was pretty sure those went into the muscle. I'll wait and see what some other folks say. Thanks!

[zdoppiklonikaa]

I do it in my outer thighs. I alternate each day. I can't reach my butt!!

psjack

[AlexanderDrew]

my doc gives me 5/8" needle lengths to do IM injections in the thigh- that probably just gets in. it all depends on how much fat you're going through. you obviously need a longer needle to do the superior/lateral quadrant of the buttock, than in the deltoid or thigh.

http://www.brooksidepress.org/Products/OperationalMedicine/DATA/operationalmed/Procedures/GiveanIMInjection.htm

[GlictStiply]

Thank you!

[interbaoui]

Actually, I just taught a class on needle lengths and injection sites. I had some x-rays to show how far in the needle goes and if it gets to the muscle. The only time a 5/8 needle is going to be good for an IM injection is a VERY small person- we are talking less than 120-125 lbs. I do not think that applies to most people doing the hcg diet. You need at least a 1" to give it in your arm (your deltoid muscle) or a 1 1/2" to go into the thigh or buttocks. The stomach is NOT an appropriate place for an IM injection. This is only for SQ injections and actually provides the best absorption of the medication- the stomach is the first choice, the back of the arms second choice for SQ injections. It is also important to note that for an IM injection, the needle goes straight in and for a SQ injection, the needle is at an angle when you inject. There are many sites to show the right placement for an IM injection- there are 4 places to choose from on the body- just google "Intramuscular injection sites" and a bunch will pop up. Wish I could show you all the xrays and help you to realize how far in that needle needs to go to be in the "body" of the muscle where all the blood vessels are, which is how an IM injection is most effective. But the answer to the original question is "yes" the arm is an appropriate place for an IM injection with a 1" needle. Hope this helps!

[ENGINESSQ]

Thank you so much! I will definitely go for the arm then. I appreciate all the info guys!

[PoideAdelereX]

Ahaha, I'm a wimp. I just did my first IM injection in the arm this morning. I thought it would really hurt but it hurt less than the SQ!!! The insulin needles always pinched the skin, and I didn't even feel this one go in my arm! But I definitely knew it was in the muscle because I got that dull ache deep down when I injected that I remember so well from school vaccination days.

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm feeling great about this!

[Noxassope]

Jen, you can't do IM in the stomach. That's for subcutaneous. I hope that's what you meant!

And you can do the IM in the top of the thigh. that's easiest to give yourself.
Colleen

[syptopsygieds]

I do IM and use 1 1/4 needle in my thighs. Have not problem losing. My husband freaked out at the needle length and he does his in the thigh with 1/2 needle and he is doing well too. He's lost 9 lbs and 3 inches around his stomach in 8 days. We both take 125 iu. I dont know if he's getting the right amount, but he's not hungry, feels great and is doing really good.

[Kdgjhytiy]

semaj- is the stomach still the best place for subq even if you have a LOT of fat in the area you are injecting? just curious. and why would the needle need to be at an angle, if it's a short needle? from what i read it only needs to be at an angle if the needle is longer and you don't want it to get to the muscle. ?? it seems like a short needle, or a longer needle on an angle would end up in the same space.

[Scukonaher]

in doing my research for the class I taught- to Nurses and Medical Assistants- the literature said at angle for SQ and straight in for IM. In my opinion, I don't think it really matters when there is adequate adipose tissue. Every site I looked at though, stated that the stomach provides the best "absorption" of the medication when doing a SQ injection. The longer needle at an angle, if there is a lot of fat there, would probably be okay- but that is not the correct way and you are inflicting more pain than necessary by using a longer needle- there is no need to use anything but 5/8" for a SQ. Hope this helps- this is the information I have found.

[imporesweemo]

I am new and preparing for starting this HCG diet. What is the difference in SQ and IM???

[mp3 free]

sq is sub-cutaneous- below the skin, but not to the muscle. IM is intra-muscular- into the muscle.

semaj- thanks for the info. i wonder if this means we could use even smaller needles for SQ, and go straight in- there are ones that are 3/16".

it makes sense when you say the best absorption is the center of the belly of the muscle- but i got IM estrogen injections for a while, and they used a 1.5" needle into the upper/outer hip. i'd think that would not reach the belly of the muscle, given the amount of fat in that area. my doc's office also gave me 5/8" needles (thigh) for b-12 shots.

it would be interesting to see what Dr. Geddes thinks about this- anyone out there who is a member who could ask her? she says that 1/2" is the minimum to reach the muscle in the thigh, if you compress the tissue- but i've not heard to reach the center of the muscle. although Dr. S. used 2" needles (hip).

[mv37afnr]

I just realized my HCG is for intramuscular. I am soooooo annoyed. I bought everything for subcutaneous. What do i do? Here is the size of my needles. Easy Touch Insulin 1ml with 28g, x .5 inch needle...HELP!!!!