B12 injection - lower dose possible on NHS?

[betwelve]

I've been having side effects from the B12 injection which the Dr and nurses seem to dispute is possible for some reason (I wasn't asking to stop them, just mentioned the effects). It's bizarre how they deny this possibility (saying "it's only a vitamin") and yet won't increase the frequency (every two months).

I get unwell in a general way the next couple of days after the shot and have sharp stomach pain which I never experience at other times. The pain has me doubled over but admittedly is transient. Difficult to work while it's happening, though.

I was wondering if I could ask them to give me a lower dose. I think everyone is given a standard vial of 4ml so could I ask for 3/4?

I'm grateful for any thoughts on this.

I have always had 1mg/1ml

docs stopped mine during Covid even though I am supposed to be on them for life so I buy them from Germany now and do them myself

I sometimes get a headache the next day but then am ok for the next 9 weeks

That's shocking that they were stopped!

Where do you inject into, is it the thigh?
Isn't it hard to stab yourself with the needle?

yes, i do it in thigh, its a large muscle away from any nerves, i do mid thigh and to the side, during lockdown i had to watch some Youtube videos of people who do it to teach myself. I had to research what size syringe to buy.

My DH draws up the solution, first time I spent ages making sure that there were no air bubbles in it, now we are a dab hand at it and can get it done in 5 minutes! It was hard stabbing it in the first time but I use a finer needle now and it just glides in, I stab it in and then DH gradually but carefully depresses the plunger till its all in

shocking state that we are having to do this ourselves but thats the NHS for you

You can take a high dose lozenge (under the tongue rather than swallowing it) so you absorb it through the skin under your tongue, still bypassing absorption issues with your stomach. I only take it about once a month now and levels are back at the top of normal.

I take these ones Jarrow Formulas Methyl B-12, Methylcobalamin, 2500mcg

Thanks both of you. I had the shot and they wouldn't give a lower dose. It is unfair though because doses are calculated for men and then women just have to put up with that.

The lozenge looks interesting but I tried a sublingual spray before and still became deficient, that said perhaps the dose or delivery would be more effective. I could try it but I'd need blood tests to before and after to monitor it.

Just an update, strangely enough after having had dreadful shooting stomach pains and fatigue after all my loading doses and the regular doses I've had (about 4) since then, I've now had no reaction this time! 😀 🤸🎉