just back from gp..........

[jillc39]

I went armed with literature - she said no one ever gets a b12 injection under 4 weeks.

no way would she give me one - but when I said b12 injections are available at a private doctor she said well go for it.    She would not agree that as I have PA and neurological symptoms I need more B12 (symptom led) - so what do you do when faced by a forceful doctor who will not budge.  she even said more regular injections could be very very harmful - and I thought of all my dear friends on this site who self-inject.  when I get back from Canada I shall join that crew!  I told her I wished she had seen me at three this morning crying with the pain in my feet and legs.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Sorry to hear that the appointment didn't go well.

Really hope that you have a good time in Canada.  If B12 is available over the counter there then you might be able to bring some back with you.

[fbirder]

Ask for something for the pain. Gabapentin, pregabalin and amitriptyline are all used to treat peripheral neuropathy.

Join the PAS and phone them. They may be able to help persuade your GP that lots of people need more frequent jabs, and that it is not at all harmful.

[jillc39 in reply to fbirder]

yes I am on to pregaberlin plus codeine and paracetamol.......  I have joined the PAS but no one there to speak to today.  Incredible that she denies that anyone has b12 injection more frequently than 4 weeks.  oh I am so pleased to be able to vent to you all!!!

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to jillc39]

quite likely nobody does - either because people don't realise that they need it more frequently or because they just get the answer 'nobody has injections more frequently than 4 weeks' - say something often enough and it becomes true (not)

[123harry]

at a level of 140 my surgery gave me absolutely nothing and insisted l have got plenty b12 in my body l didn't think sore feet were a symptom the soles of my feet are aching l have just got some b12 injectable from b12d.org and l am sitting on the fence as to whether to go for it or not but feel l have no other choice with the s and symptoms l have gps will give out iron and vit d and anti depressants out like sweets l cant understand why they are so against b12 l feel your frustration keep going we can only hope for change in the future!

[pugdogs10 in reply to 123harry]

They are " against b12" because it costs £10 a time for a nurse to inject and it is a long term commitment for them. Yes that is cynical!

[fbirder in reply to pugdogs10]

Wow! They must pay their nurses a lot!

One dose costs around £3.30 (IIRC) which mean that the nurse is getting £6 for 5 minutes work - or £72 per annum!

Ooops! £72 per hour. (Then again I wouldn't be surprised if Jeremey *unt the Cealth Secretary is aiming for something like £72 per annum)..

[Twench in reply to fbirder]

I think that is factoring in surgery overheads as well as the nurse's time. I don't know any nurses who earn £72 an hour!

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to 123harry]

Hello 123harry. Just thought I'd let you know that I also get very painful feet, especially when I know I'm 'going off'. Seems to be one of the many bizarre symptoms that keep cropping up. B12 deficiency - who knows! 

[Hidden]

I would have asked her why more injections could be 'very very harmful' and why if you pay for more she said 'go for it'. What a contradiction. You sound like you have a very ignorant Doctor. Sorry you have had bad pain and I hope you get some relief. Enjoy Canada. 

[jillc39]

Well I have done it.  So desperate I paid a private gp for a B12.  The trouble is that this (and self injecting) takes the burden away from the gp's.  They gave me a prescription which I picked up from the pharmacy ... £4. plus of course for the gp's time.    Be back in a week!

[clivealive Forum Support]

Please don't give up the fight jillc39 , if you win your battle it will help other troops coming along after you..

This is war against the "One size fits all" brigade (or should that be brigands?)

Have a safe trip home and I wish you well for the future

[sweetnessandlight]

You have neurological symptoms. Ask your gp to read out to you from the BNF which will be sitting on his desk section 9.1.2. It says every other day injections until no further improvement.