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Self injecting methylcobalmin- some advice please.

smithj6873 profile image
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Hi all, I have just ordered methylcobalmin online with diabetic syringes but am unsure how much to inject. My current B12 is 190 and I'm planning on subcutaneous injection. I've got plenty of info on how to inject but just confused as to how much and how often. Any advice is much appreciated.

Many thanks

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fbirder profile image
fbirder

How much is in each vial?

In the UK the normal amount is 1 vial containing 1 mg of hydroxocobalamin in 1 mL of buffered saline.

Dosing regimen is dependant on the severity of neurological symptoms. Without such symptoms normally you get 1 dose every other day for two weeks, then one every 2 to 3 months. If you have neurological symptoms then it's one injection every other day until there is no further improvement in symptoms.

If, as I suspect, you have got a multi dose vial then you want to take up enough solution to contain 1 mg. Be scrupulous about keeping the solution uncontaminated. All you need is a few bacteria to get in there and they will grow - until you inject them into your body.

If you have bought methylcobalamin powder then I would dissolve it in tap water and use it as a sublingual preparation. The chances of it getting contaminated if you make it up yourself are high. Also, you'll only be able to make it up using sterile saline (DO NOT use ordinary water). You won't be able to get it buffered to the correct pH - meaning it will go off quickly.

Speaking of which, make sure you keep the solution in the fridge and in the dark (preferably in a brown glass bottle otherwise wit will go off.

Why have you gone for methylcobalamin? It tends to be more expensive and harder to source than hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin, it is less stable than those two, and it can cause nasty side-effects in some people?

smithj6873 profile image
smithj6873 in reply tofbirder

Hi, thanks for the reply. I've purchased the 20mg, ordered sterile saline etc and will wrap it and keep in the fridge. I've been researching different B12 for weeks now as my doctor won't give it to me although I have many symptoms including difficulty swallowing at the moment and constant dizziness, tiredness, brain fog etc. Been suffering for over 2 years now and at my wits end. Methly seemed to get the best reviews if used correctly but now I'm nervous I've made the wrong choice.

smithj6873 profile image
smithj6873 in reply tofbirder

20mg cost me £25.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply tosmithj6873

To be honest, I wouldn't trust myself to keep 20 mL of it sterile for three weeks. And I used to work in pharmaceuticals. And sterile saline won't have the right pH to keep it stable. The stuff you buy ready for injection will have acetic acid and sodium chloride to keep it at the right level of acidity.

Most of us in here buy ampoules of hydroxocobalamin from Germany. 100 ampoules costs €57.19 (about £53) including shipping. versandapo.de/advanced_sear...

That is cheaper (53p per dose compared to £1.25 per dose) and a lot safer than the methylcobalamin you've got.

Personally, I would dissolve the methylcobalamin in tap water and use it as a sublingual and buy the hydroxocobalamin from Germany.

smithj6873 profile image
smithj6873 in reply tofbirder

Just looking at that now, trying to get the site in English. I will do what you said as I'm a little bit scared to use it now.

With the methyl do I just use it as a mouthwash, keep it in my mouth for a bit?

Thank you. Great to find such a fab site for advice.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply tosmithj6873

If you use the Chrome web browser it can automatically translate web pages.

Otherwise try Google Translate. Cut and paste the foreign and it will convert it to English.

smithj6873 profile image
smithj6873 in reply tofbirder

I've done it. Thanks so much for your help.

Bargain and on offer at the moment. :)

pollianna profile image
pollianna in reply tofbirder

I whole heartedly agree. The small viles are sterile and safe. You get the hang of opening and using them quickly and its so cheap.

Good luck :)

smithj6873 profile image
smithj6873 in reply topollianna

Thank you. I'm petrified but excited.

Could I ask, do you think that I should have an injection privately first to check that I don't have a reaction to it?

pollianna profile image
pollianna in reply tosmithj6873

That is the standard advice I believe. I didn't as I was super meggadosing with every possible type anyway

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