No more b12 injections

[pieris]

I wentto my surgery today for my B12 jab and was told it had been cancelled and there would be no more until further notice as they are not a priority! Seeing my face drop the nurse said she would do it this time seeing I was there. I am now very concerned and not sure what my next step should be. Any advice please? I have been having injections for six years, every 8 weeks.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

see this post with links to advice on the PAS website

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

There is also a link within the article to on the website specifically about the situation you mention

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

There are some useful suggestions on what to do if B12 jabs stopped due to being considered non-essential in next link to another forum thread.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

Are you a PAS member?

If you join PAS you may be able to talk to them although some disruption of their helpline due to impact of virus is likely .

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK. Has members in other countries.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no 01656 769717 answerphone

PAS support groups in UK

pernicious-anaemia-society....

If you're a PAS member, you can access contact details for the PAS support groups in UK.

Many on this forum choose to self treat and usually source supplies from online pharmacies in Europe. In last few days forum members have reported that usual suppliers have stopped delivering to UK though.

I recently tried to get high strength sublingual B12 on a popular online retailer's website; stocks seemed very low with hardly any of the brands I'd normally choose.

Many on forum report that high strength oral B12 eg sprays, sub lingual lozenges, oral tablets, sub lingual drops and B12 patches are not very effective particularly for people who have problems absorbing B12 in the gut.

Have you considered writing a letter to GP, also copied to practice manager, that expresses your concerns?

I suggest reading the forum thread I linked to at top of this post before you write any letter.

I hope you find an answer soon.

[pieris in reply to Sleepybunny]

That was quick! Thankyou for all your info. I will follow all leads. Yes I am a member of the PAS.

[Nackapan]

I'm glad you got it. Akso that you ate used to the frequency of 8 weeks. Gives you some time for response from Gp. Obviously nurse not 100% sure as otherwise she/he wouldn't have given it!

[pieris in reply to Nackapan]

No she wasn't sure and had to check computer. She did concede I would get to feel bad but "they" don't feel it's a priority. ...and why was I at the surgery when I should be self isolating???!!!

[Nackapan in reply to pieris]

One confused nurse

[Nackapan in reply to pieris]

Was she gowned and masked mine was. I think no clear guidelines at present

[topazrat]

My elderly parents where supposed to be having their B12 jabs next week. They've also been told that they can't have them 'for the foreseeable future'. As I self inject, I have offered to give them a few of my vials to tide them over. They aren't too keen, but if they start to feel too ill, the offer is there. I also know of two other people in my neighbourhood that have been denied their jabs. It's scandalous! I can see a lot more people going down the self injection route just to stay alive at this rate!

[carer999]

I have an appointment for a jab in early April plus my annual medication review. I wonder when mine will be cancelled.

[Nackapan in reply to carer999]

Insist on your injection. Review might be done over the phone

[HeartyGilly]

I was told mine was cancelled too as not considered important. I appealed, quoted that diabetics were not being refused their jabs, but then they relented saying those symptomatic can have them. But I have to go in by the back door and the GP will do it, not the nurse. Mind you we are on a committee that does a lot for our surgery ( fundraising etc) so that might help!

[Peasncarrots]

Tracey Witty (who campaigns for over the counter b12) is wanting people being denied injections to comment via this post - to help her build ammunition :

change.org/p/dr-june-raine-...

[Hidden]

Ask for a telephone consultation with your doctor.

I was initially refused by the surgerys receptionist. I had a consultation with my doctor on the telephone the same evening and he put a note on my records saying I had to have it. The next day I rang for a appointment, telling them to look at my notes and they then arranged for me to visit the deserted surgery to have my jab.