Need advise ASAP

[dommie7491]

I just received my shipment of B12; however, I did not order the syringes. Now I don't know what to do. I have heard several different things. I have heard that the pharmacy will let me purchase the syringes I need even though I ordered this online. I have heard that no, I cannot get them without a prescription. Years ago when I was taking B12 and had the prescription, all I had to do is go to the pharmacy, ask for the syringes, size I need for my B12 injections, " The pharmacy is more than welcome to look at my arms or anywhere else to see that I am NOT using needles for anything. I guess I'm afraid to order also because then the post office may think I am some type of junkie.... what can I do? I am 68 and just trying to get to feeling better. God Bless

[fbirder]

I got mine from Amazon.

[shellywidga]

Hi Dommie,

Has your GP diagnosed with you PA & are they not willing to help you?

I used medisave.co.uk/ for my needles etc

Best Wishes x

[Galixie]

Whether or not you can walk into your local pharmacy and buy syringes will depend on the laws of the state you live in. Almost all states will let you buy insulin syringes (for subcutaneous injections) without a prescription but most will not let you buy intramuscular syringes without a prescription. You could try calling your local pharmacy to ask what the regulations are in your area. (They are bound to know and they should be willing to tell you.) Or you could do a search online. Here is a page I found: temple.edu/lawschool/aidspo...

As for being cautious about what the post office will think; you'd just be receiving a box. It's not going to say on the outside what is in the box so your postal carrier won't even know. The plus side of ordering online, I've found, is that you can order a large quantity and then not have to order them again for a really really long time.

[Leilanilea]

Hello,

I'm in US and recently ordered B12, cyanocobalamin, from Canadian site and can definitely recommend their products and service: Buy-Otc.com

I also bought their syringes with needles attached: BD 3 ml Syringe, Luer-Lok Tip with BD PrecisionGlide Needle. 25G (gauge) x 1in (0.5mm x 25mm)

No prescription needed.

Good luck,

Leilani

[radyeatlantic in reply to Leilanilea]

Whoa are they ever expensive. In Canada, I get my B12 at Costco and my syringes at Walmart. For Sandoz 10ml B12 at Costco is $8, buy-otc.com is twice the price and I pay 25 cents per syringe at Walmart so 10 X are $2.50, buy-otc.com are $10. Sandoz B12 at most pharmacies average $10 CDN. I think the highest I ever paid was $12.

Not to mention the shipping costs.

[Leilanilea in reply to radyeatlantic]

Yes, they are expensive, but here in California, to my knowledge, one cannot buy B-12 for injection or appropriate syringes, without a prescription.

I tried to arrange with my primary physician to self-inject my monthly cyanocobalamin, which I've been receiving from the office nurses at Kaiser (HMO) for quite a while. This is because in addition to B12 deficiency I have MAC/NTM lung infection that causes lack of energy and breathing difficulty, making it hard to get to the doctor's office.

However, my physician ignored my requests until I finally decided to just pay for B12 and supplies myself. It's such a relief to know I can stay on my med schedule and not become exhausted going back and forth to office. I'm grateful I can afford to do so.

[radyeatlantic in reply to Leilanilea]

I see your point especially with the dollar exchange rate these days. Makes it a little more manageable.

[deniseinmilden]

Are you UK based?

If you want some immediately - today - you can walk into your local agricultural store/merchant and buy 2ml syringes off the shelf.

Try Googling Mole Country Stores for your nearest one or any ag merchant.

They'll think you are buying them to

treat an animal and won't bat an eyelid. I got some draw up needles from my local store this week too.

[ljmulledy]

I think a rx is required for needles. I had to get one from my dr.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

I am UK based so not familiar with prescription rules in the US. I order my needles (I use insulin needles and do sub-cutaneous) on line so they arrive by post but I don't think anyone would ever guess what is in the package - it might say medical supplies but that could mean anything.

Generally there are charities around that will have needle exchange programmes as the last thing that the medical profession really wants is people using needles over and over again and sharing needles as that compounds problems so that might be one option to explore if there aren't any other ways of getting hold of needles - I know in the UK one charity is used by people with B12 problems as a source of safe saline to mix dried methylcobalamin (it's injectable substances that tend to be the problem here - and it's probably the same in the US).

Hope that you manage to find and source needles.