Giving myself B12 injections

[Queeniz]

I can’t take anymore of being ill so I’m going to buy my own B12 injection. How do I start??

[fbirder]

This is where I order my B12 from. The site is in German. If you use the Chrome web browser then it has an inbuilt translation facility. Using PayPal or Amazon Pay makes the process easier. Login using your Amazon account (there's a special button for it).

10 Ampoules - versandapo.de/vitamin-b12-d...

100 Ampoules - versandapo.de/vitamin-b12-d...

Shipping is the same, no matter how many you buy. So 100 is a lot cheaper. Expiry dates are normally two years.

Here is where I buy needles and syringes -

2 mL syringes - medisave.co.uk/bd-emerald-h...

Green needles for sucking the B12 out of the vial - medisave.co.uk/terumo-agani...

Blue needles for injecting IM - medisave.co.uk/b-d-microlan...

Orange needles for IM/SC - medisave.co.uk/b-d-microlan...

Sharps bin - medisave.co.uk/sharpsguard-...

[Queeniz in reply to fbirder]

How often do I take it?

[fbirder in reply to Queeniz]

As often as is needed to keep symptoms at bay.

However....

Looking back over your past posts it seems that you have never had any B12 injections before. If that is the case I'd really recommend trying B12 tablets first.

If they don't work then you really should have your first couple of injections done by a medical professional. If your GP refuses to treat you then change GP.

[Queeniz in reply to fbirder]

I’ve got to do it myself & I can’t take tablets cos my body doesn’t break them down

[theverytiredperson in reply to Queeniz]

As someone who has just suffered an allergic reaction to a B12 injection I would highly recommend you have the first one done at your GP practice and get them to teach you how to self inject for future injections. Its not worth taking the risk of trying to go it alone. If you did have an allergic reaction at home it could prove fatal. I believe its quite rare but it can happen, especially on the first injection.

[Litatamon in reply to theverytiredperson]

I concur. It is imperative that you have them done with a medical professional first.

Although a reaction is rare, no reason to take a chance.

Also wanted to add that I read about someone having a severe reaction after a second shot. First no problem whatsoever. I would suggest getting your loading doses done and then self-inject.

[fbirder in reply to Queeniz]

In that case you need to use sublingual sprays. betteryou.com/boost-b12-ora...

[Hidden in reply to fbirder]

I would also like to start self injections, so I went to the site you gave us the link for and it is in German, but I can find no place where I can have it translated to English. Is it possible to have it translated?

[witchcat43 in reply to Hidden]

Use Google chrome, you then get the option to translate to English.

[Hidden in reply to witchcat43]

Thank you witchcat43!

[Clarkie477 in reply to fbirder]

Hi. When I click the links and go to checkout it’s telling me my postcode must be in Germany and won’t let me buy.

[fbirder in reply to Clarkie477]

Have you tried using Amazon Pay or PayPal?

[Clarkie477 in reply to fbirder]

Hi. It didn’t give me the option on the first but I’ve got it sorted now thanks.

[Clarkie477 in reply to Clarkie477]

*try.

[Clarkie477 in reply to fbirder]

Hi could you clarify what the orange needle is for when you have the blue one?

[fbirder in reply to Clarkie477]

Blue needle is for intramuscular. Some people prefer to do IM with an orange needle (thinner and, supposedly, less painful). If doing subcutaneous it is normally done with an orange needle.

[Clarkie477 in reply to fbirder]

Ok thanks for the reply

[Queeniz]

I haven’t got a choice I’m soooo fed up of telling Drs and getting no where. I’m just becoming worse & im scared I’ll end up dead if I don’t help myself.

[wedgewood in reply to Queeniz]

Please make sure that you have someone with you for your first injection . Look at videos on utube . ( some are good , some are awful )

You might be scared the first time ! (I was!)

It it will soon become routine . Best wishes .

[Litatamon in reply to Queeniz]

Look this up to make sure it is valid information as I can't recall where I read it. If you won't do the first couple with a medical professional I read somewhere that a doctor suggested taking a benedryl a half an hour before injecting.

Please, as others have said, make sure someone is with you on the first few shots at least.

A pharmacist sold me wipes to clean my arm. But then told me to use another to wipe top of vial, before and after use.

Best wishes to you.

[Queeniz]

Do I do it once a month?

[Suzibelle in reply to Queeniz]

If you haven't had the injections before then start with the loading regime (there will be more detailed info on the site if you look for the NICE guidelines but it's roughly one injection every other day for a couple of weeks, or until you start to improve) and then start backing it off to wider-spaced intervals. It'll really be an exercise in tracking your symptoms and how you feel to sort out what's best.

As the others advise, make sure there's someone else around the first time you inject, just in case.

[wedgewood in reply to Queeniz]

You need to find out by trial and error . You need to inject often enough to keep all the B12 deficiency symptoms at bay .

[Queeniz]

Thank you

[Spain65]

Hi there. You really need to have a CBC or complete blood count first of all to see what your level is. Then you need to get your loading injections from your GP. You should not be doing this yourself as it can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. I had a very low count of 72 and I'm now around 300 with three monthly injections. I also use a sublingual b12 supplement. I hope this helps.

[Queeniz]

Mine was lower than 72 my last blood test

[fbirder in reply to Queeniz]

If your serum B12 was less than 72 then you need to write to your GP demanding injections. Send a copy to the practice manager and the local health trust.

[Queeniz in reply to fbirder]

I’ve reported my GP to the GMC ... it’s such a long story

[wedgewood in reply to Queeniz]

With such a low B12 serum result, it is really shocking that you haven’t had any treatment yet . That is really out of order . You must get treatment ASAP . Best wishes

[Queeniz in reply to wedgewood]

Tell me about it. I have lost the will if I’m honest but because my eye sight memory, balance etc has got so bad I need to help myself.

[Litatamon in reply to Queeniz]

Since it was so low and there are neurological components you should consider following the NHS guideline of loading period first every other day, until you don't see anymore improvements (I am not British and I have followed it) EDIT: My apologies, didn't read that multiple posters have already told you this information.

And then see what spacing works best for you over time going forward, based on your symptoms coming back. You will be able to see what works best for you.

I am so very sorry for your frustration with care.

[Queeniz in reply to Litatamon]

Thank you for posting & being so kind x

[Leils]

Sorry to hear you're having such a bad time.

What about trying an injection privately first at a clinic?

Hope you feel better soon

[pejka62]

It is easy to do--I never gave myself a shot in my life but it worked out for me. I used the same needle to get it out and inject it--I believe in US it was a 1 inch #25 needle. I looked on the internet to see where and how to inject yourself. I injected about 1/3 the way down on the leg from the hip to the knee. I just kind of poped it in and I never even felt it. I gave myself shots for 18 months every week. I'm much better now, maybe 35% as bad as I was and I take the 2500 mg B12 pill every day--no more shots. My B12 reading now is in the 400 range. Good Luck Jim

[Queeniz]

Thank you too of you for replying to my post x

[Judithdalston]

Just to say..good luck...my surgery refused to do any B12 /PA blood related checks despite years of symptoms from vertigo, black outs, pins and needles etc etc all put down to my hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, and insulin dependent diabetes but I had improved my own bloods/ drugs/ minerals/ vitamins re these and still having problems. So I started DIY b12 injections about 6 months ago ( first thru my dr.son, but there after my husband does it for me, as i’m a wimp). I still feel the need for it about every 2 weeks as start to feel dizzy , or fall over, and get pins and needles in feet/ legs. Oral b12 didn’t seem to be enough, tho got blood levels ok.

[gingerbear644]

First source it.

Secondly, buy needles, syringes, numbing cream. I get Retardin here.

Thirdly, you tube to show u how to inject.

Use the NICE guidelines to determine your dosage. If your eyes are involved, neurological and its loading doses (a shot every other day until all other symptoms disappear)

[Queeniz]

I don’t know what to do anymore ? I’m getting worse, I can’t walk far before I find it hard to breathe & ive been self injecting for months now every other day.... I feel like I’m going mad honestly I can only get a telephone appt with my GP which is useless 😿

[Queeniz]

I have been self injections for months now (everyday ) But actually can’t believe what’s happened???😱🤬 ....

Some ppl will “ask why I’m posting here?”

I have put up with So much from lies to force medical records And it’s nearly Killed me 😿

I can not just f**king hope for the best anymore ..... my GP is awful & if I Die it’s because of Her