Self administering b12

[Somethingsosimple]

My gran is 97 and has pernious anemia. Since lock down her GP refused injections and told her to buy tablets. These are really not working and her original symptoms are coming back. I want to see if her GP would prescribe so a family member who also shielding could administer it. Is this likely that would agree?

It's an IM injection which can be a bit tricky... Could the district nursing team do this whilst the GP surgery are not able to offer it? It's usually two or three loading doses then either monthly or quarterly.

Scotland here. My go was happy to provide syringes but sisters (3 miles away) go did not. It's very easy to do, lots of YouTube videos etc. All depends on gp practice. Tell them shes experiencing dizzy spells etc and you are worried she may fall. Good luck.

Check with her surgery again. As a practice nurse I have continued giving these throughout. We have also resumed smears and now routine bloods for chronic conditions, so things are slowly moving again.
It's possible for family to give but they would have to be shown as its intramuscular, and provided with sharps and a sharps bin. Easier all round for them if they just let her pop in and have it really.

If not - you can buy the B12 from Germany and the needles and syringes on Amazon.

I do, as 3 monthly injections are not enough, symptoms start coming back after a month but GP will only prescribe 3 monthly.

DM me if you want more information.

Yes, my GP surgery won't do mine either. I have some ampules and ordered some syringes off the internet. I watched a few Youtube videos and with the help of DH, really carefully we successfully injected into my thigh.

I was only 3 weeks late for my injection but I was really tired and was having serious trouble even waking up in a morning. I felt better a day or so after the injection. I will have to do the next one too.

I have had some guidance on the internet about the fact that GPs should be continuing this service but if they won't budge, you cannot force them to do it. I asked mine about giving me some syringes and I would do it myself but they said oh no we do not recommend that! So I got some off the internet.

Just do your research, for my 1mg/1ml ampules I got a 1mm syringe, draw it up very slowly, make sure all the air bubbles are out of it, inject in mid thigh, halfway down and push the plunger slowly. I was concerned that needle might not be long enough to get in the muscle but as I felt better I think it was ok. I might see about getting one with a longer needle next time.

Its not too difficult to do at all.

@IMightBeAnAlien
It will have reached your muscle I think but it doesn't matter anyway. If you get a longer needle it will also be thicker and a little more painful to put in. If you visit a B12 forum or facebook page it will give you more info. You can also do them into your stomach if it's easier - many do.

Surely your gp knows that pernicious anemia means that you lack the nessecary intrinsic factor to actually process oral b12. They are actually e endangering her by refusing to administer medical treatment. The nurse in my gp surgery rang me to arrange for me to get my injection. This is total neglect and I would be taking it further. Its shocking that we can now go into shops and children are back at school but gp surgeries can deny people basic health care.

@IAintentDead

Yeah, I thought it was not absorbed if it went into fat, so I was paranoid about trying to get it all into muscle. I have too much fat on my stomach to do it there I am an apple shape so my legs are quite slim, I thought that would be the best bet

I think it is just absorbed more slowly, or maybe a bit less of it is absorbed. As I now do mine monthly, I get enough anyway. I normally have my 3 monthly one at the GP to keep it on my records but do the other two myself. My GP is aware - it was her that told me to do it this way so I didn't fall off the radar if I wasn't able to get it from Germany any more.

IAintentDead

I might to do mine earlier than the 12 weeks now that I can do it myself. I have enough ampules. I am hoping that in October my GP surgery might do it if they are doing the flu jabs at the same time. I am not sure they can avoid giving flu jabs with Covid around this winter

I think it’s possible to get a spray which is absorbed through the gums but I’m not sure if this works or not.

Hi our surgery has continued to administer B12 injections. Guidance changes so if you haven't tried recently ask the surgery again. Some pts do suffer without the injections. Seems unfair there is such a difference in what each surgery will do.

It's a deep intramuscular injection, usually in the bottom because that has a better muscle. It can be risky because you can hit the sciatic nerve which runs through. So I think you are better leaving this the the professionals.

My mum is having b12 injections and the district nurse is doing them

A 97 yo lady is a different kettle of fish from a fit 30 yo. Muscles are more wasted and they are often thin. I've hit bone doing it in the thigh so it's not easy for sure.

I wouldn't even consider trying this in a 97 year old. Has the GP been made aware she is symptomatic? They should be able to advise now when there are to resume. We are Scotland and our practice is resuming next week.

Do not give it in the bottom. Best practice is the deltoid (arm) or thigh.