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Original poster

Begged the doctors for my B12 injection.

26 replies

Paranoidmarvin · 28/05/2020 07:29

Did anyone else have their cancelled.
When they cancelled it I was told that my last injection should last me for six months. Not a chance as I always knew when I was due one.

The last week my feet have been awful and I have been sleeping during the day and sleeping over 12 hours a night.

Yesterday after crying with the pain in my feet I phoned them and begged for an app to have my injection. Luckily they said they would. And I should start being a normal human tomorrow.

Anyone else disagree that the injection lasts for 6 months?

OP posts:
Itsjustmee · 28/05/2020 07:43

If your not squeamish you can buy ( perfectly legal) B12 from Germany and self inject
It’s actually very cheap 10 vials for 7.50 euros

Mightymurphy · 28/05/2020 07:44

The BSH changed their guidelines again on 24 April to state that injections should continue. Can you ask your practice manager to review those or send them to him/her by email?

I had to do the same at my surgery to get my injection which I got a few weeks ago now. Hopefully getting the next one will not be the cause of which upset.

Gammeldragz · 28/05/2020 07:44

I've still been giving my patients their B12 injections, I'm sorry your surgery isn't doing this. I'm sure if you call and stress how much you need it, they will let you have it.

Gammeldragz · 28/05/2020 07:46

Sorry, missed the bit at the bottom of your post, glad you are getting it.
Given how many patients tell me they can feel theirs wear off, and the fact that it can now be given sooner than the 12 weeks, I would think 6 months is rather pushing it! While. Blood levels of B12 may be higher after 6 months than if you'd never had it, whether they are therapeutic could certainly be disputed.

cptartapp · 28/05/2020 07:49

We've never stopped doing B12 injections throughout all this.

Original poster
Paranoidmarvin · 28/05/2020 08:18

Even after I told them how bad I was feeling and there wasn’t a chance I could go to work tomorrow I was still told government guidelines were saying no to b12. I feel so awful.
Whoever decided they lasted for 6 months obviously doesn’t have to have the injections

OP posts:
peridito · 28/05/2020 08:26

I have an elderly friend ( 80) in Worthing .His surgery have refused to give him his next B12 injection and told him he will have to take tablets .

He's not the shy retiring type and I'm sure he argued his case .

I am outraged for him and know he will be driven mad by the itchy rash he gets without the injection .Does anyone know what I can do ?

mrpumblechook · 28/05/2020 08:27

They are supposed to give them if you are very symptomatic as long as you understand that there is a risk of Covid.You could also try oral tablets 50-150 micrograms per day.

GeriGeranium · 28/05/2020 08:29

Look at the pernicious anaemia society website - lots of us had this issue and have had to fight for our injections. They have useful resources you can share with your GP.

mrpumblechook · 28/05/2020 08:29

I am outraged for him and know he will be driven mad by the itchy rash he gets without the injection .Does anyone know what I can do ?

He would be better to try tablets at the moment. At 80 risks from Covid will be high so not much point being outraged.

StillDumDeDumming · 28/05/2020 08:30

The dr told me tablets would never do it because the problem is you can’t absorb the vitamin through the stomach and so you have an injection that goes into the muscle. We got a right result and was prescribed the vials and needles to self inject 😁

Original poster
Paranoidmarvin · 28/05/2020 08:35

I was also told tablets do nothing if it gets this bad. I’m so cross that people are having to fight this. No way I could carry on working like I feel like today.
I really did have to fight my corner to get it though.

OP posts:
mrpumblechook · 28/05/2020 08:36

The dr told me tablets would never do it because the problem is you can’t absorb the vitamin through the stomach and so you have an injection that goes into the muscle. We got a right result and was prescribed the vials and needles to self inject

If the dose is high enough some will be absorbed through the stomach and it may be enough to prevent symptoms if there is a delay in injections.

mrpumblechook · 28/05/2020 08:40

BSH are suggesting , "oral cyanocobalamin can be offered at a dose of 1 mg per day until regular IM hydroxocobalamin can be resumed"

Tartan333 · 28/05/2020 08:44

Mine was cancelled too, I was getting very worried as I can tell when I need one. I was researching how to self inject but the surgery phoned to say they had started doing them again and I had mine but it was 2 weeks late. I was so relieved.

I had the intrinsic test years ago but it came back inconclusive so my doctor said that it is likely I have pernicious anaemia but I think it's on my records as B12 deficiency. I have tried in the past to correct it with diet and supplements but each time this has led to dangerously low levels of B12 requiring loading doses.

Anyway hope everyone gets their injections now, the Pernicious Anaemia society have information regarding guidelines on their website.

Itsjustmee · 28/05/2020 08:54

Tartan333
I do mine myself by self injection as my level were very low I watched You Tube videos on how to self inject
I get 4 monthly test ( private ) to check my levels are ok - they are
Honest it’s dead easy to self inject and I bought 4 pack of B12 Vials from Germany each pack had 10 vials so it last for ages inc the needles syringes sharp box I think it cost me about £40
If anyone wants the name of the pharmacy I used I’m happy to pm them it
Not sure if I can link to it on here

SpiritEssence · 28/05/2020 08:55

I have to have it every 3 months and they stopped doing it and gave me a prescription for b12 instead

Mightymurphy · 28/05/2020 08:57

Please don’t suggest the OP take tablets. They can’t be absorbed.

Tartan333 · 28/05/2020 09:05

Itsjustmee

Could you send me the name of the pharmacy please? Thanks x

innitlush · 28/05/2020 09:10

I cried down the phone to them when mine was refused. I'm a fully grown woman, two kids...I thought I was made of stronger stuff! But lack of B12 is so debilitating. Thankfully they restarted doing them recently, but I was just under 4 weeks overdue and feeling very crappy.

mrpumblechook · 28/05/2020 09:12

Please don’t suggest the OP take tablets. They can’t be absorbed.

Assuming you are not a haemotologist why do you think you know better than the BSH (British Society for Haematology)?. They suggest that high dose tablets can be offered if the injection has to be delayed.
b-s-h.org.uk/media/18275/bsh-guidance-b12-replacement-covid-1901052020finalv.pdf

Original poster
Paranoidmarvin · 28/05/2020 09:12

@innitlush I did as well. I just begged as there was no way I could of gone to work again until they did it. My feet are the worst and I struggle to walk. Unless you have to have them people don’t understand just how awful it can be.

I slept for over 12 hours last night and I am exhausted this morning. And I could walk when I got up. Just off to have mine now. I’m so sorry for people on here who can’t have it. I all really am

OP posts:
innitlush · 28/05/2020 09:27

I don't have any other symptoms, just the extreme fatigue. Even my kids notice when I am due my injection as I "nanny nap" as they call it when I come home from work. I asked them to be moved to every 10 weeks, as after that point I really go downhill, but this was declined.

Original poster
Paranoidmarvin · 28/05/2020 09:29

@innitlush I used to get mine every ten and then they slowly extend it. And I’m okay every twelve weeks. But one week over I start to feel it.
I didn’t realise how bad I was feeling before they diagnosed me until I had the injections.

OP posts: