Can I Give it

[Bathtime]

My husband has just had a phone call from his GP saying they can't give him his B12 on Monday as it's not safe.would I be able to give it him,is that allowed.can anyone help please.thanks.

[wedgewood]

Is the surgery supplying the wherewithal ? ( ampoules , syringes , needles and swabs ) I’ve been self-injecting for 4years . ( because 1 injection every 3months was not sufficient , and I could not get any extra) I must confess that I was very nervous at first . But it becomes second nature in no time . I’m sure that you could do it -it’s not rocket science . I will send you some hopefully helpful tips if you would like that . There are some videos demonstrating self-injection on Utube — some good , some poor . Have a look !

[Bathtime in reply to wedgewood]

hi Wedgewood,thank you so much for replying.any info you have would appreciated.i will have a look on utube about giving the injection.where do I get the neadles front? Can I buy them or do I get them from the GP.Thanks again for you info.Bathtime.

[Miss-guineapig in reply to wedgewood]

My husband gives me mine, and always has. In two weeks time I plan to help a neighbour learn to give his wife hers. This will be fun, trying to show him with 6 feet apart, think we might try on a soft vegetable first with water hahah. Wishing you well Wedgewood

[wedgewood in reply to Miss-guineapig]

I think an orange is the best to try out injecting on . Hope that you have one in these difficult times . 👍🍊

[Miss-guineapig in reply to wedgewood]

Had a wee smile, at first I thought you meant an orange needle, I was about to say no, use blue hahaha

[Bathtime in reply to Miss-guineapig]

I am contacting doctor on Monday to ask if I can do it but will need someone to show me what tod thank you for getting back to me.a lot of support on this group.very grateful.

[fbirder]

I don't think there is any law against having somebody else do it. I hope not because I've had a friend do it twice when my arthritis was too bad to do it myself.

[Bathtime in reply to fbirder]

Thanks Fbirder for you advice.can you tell me where I would get the neadles. From.?

[Hidden in reply to Bathtime]

Have you had a look for a Needle Exchange in your area? I know these are for drug addicts but they should be able to help. Somewhere like Medisave would supply but they do it in quantities of 100.

There are also suppliers of smaller quantities on EBay.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

You need to speak to the GP and find out exactly why 'it isn't safe'. B12 is an essential medication and is given to prevent your husband becoming B12 deficient. As one of the symptoms of B12 deficiency is increased susceptibility to infections, failing to treat your husband would actually be risking making him more susceptible to COVID-19.

Advice on dealing with situations in which injections are being denied can be found here

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[Bathtime in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you Gambit for your advice I will contact our GP on Monday.I will let you know the out come.

[juanacalpe]

I had my last injection in our health centre here in Gibraltar yesterday. I was told that if we are still locked down when I'm due for the next one, they will send a District nurse.

[Miss-guineapig in reply to juanacalpe]

Thanks wonderful if the can send the DN. I have also replied above under wedgewood, wishing you well Juanazalpe

[Bathtime in reply to Miss-guineapig]

Going to contact doctor on Minday to ask if I can do injection,but I will need nurse to show me what to do..thanks for you help.this is a lovely group.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Have a look at these two links which both have ideas on what to do if jabs cancelled because they are seen as non essential during pandemic.

From PAS website

pernicious-anaemia-society....

From B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/blog/

[Sallyfr]

Hi, my Drs this week have taught me how to self inject. They have provided everything I need and I will get a prescription sent in the post that I can take to a chemist just prior to my next one being due. I did my first self injection this week under nurse supervision in to my outer thigh and it was a lot easier that I thought it would be. Take care.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Sallyfr]

Good news !

Hope that more nurses will be offering the same.

We are hearing of too many B12 deficient patients just getting refused treatment and turned away with no offer of help.

[Bathtime in reply to Cherylclaire]

This is the problem we have just been left in limbo.going to phone GP Monday to ask if I can give it,but will need help showing me how to give the injection etc.

[Bathtime in reply to Sallyfr]

That sounds good I am going to contact doctor Monday and ask if they can show me what to do etc.many thanks.

[Cattywampus]

As a Comunity nurse myself I would ask please, if at all possible, that whoever is able, try to do your injections yourself while the pandemic is ongoing. District nurses will be over run helping to manage the overspill from the hospital such as caring for people to prevent admissions and also supporting patients following discharge home (patients will be sent home at the earliest possible time to make more space for new suffers) this is alongside their usual work. If you can’t self inject for some reason then it is more than acceptable for a member of your current household to administer it for you. Yes it takes guts but we all have to step up at the moment to help our NHS.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Cattywampus]

I agree with you.

Education will be key here:

it also took guts for you when you had to do your first one. Hopefully, good training and confidence-building helped you. Someone to show you, then watch you do it. This is how people without any experience can be helped to feel safe about what they are doing to themselves or loved ones.

What could go wrong ? What can they do to minimise that risk ? What are they most afraid of ? Where is the best area ? Where to steer clear. How to access sufficient B12 ampoules and equipment. That sort of thing.

It is not that difficult - but a lot of conflicting advice and, frankly, some bad practice on youtube videos. Also B12 deficient patients can have shaking hands, jerking legs, cognitive problems, anxiety, memory problems - all of which could make for impeded learning or impaired practical aptitude. Some of these symptoms might also mean partners or family would be reluctant to administer injections without any professional training or advice.

But firstly, practices have to agree that this is the route they are all taking. A united front.

So far, I am not seeing this in the forum posts. A lot of people might really welcome autonomy - but still need teaching.

Advice here on this forum was invaluable to me when none of the practice nurses would show me how to self inject, and watching videos on the library computer either wasn't enough - or was way too much.

I'm not a medical professional, just a teacher who still believes education to be the answer to nearly every question !

[Bathtime in reply to Cherylclaire]

Thank you so much for your comment.i am contacting doctor on Monday.going to ask if someone can show me how to do this.many thanks,

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Bathtime]

...worth a shot (haha)!

[Nackapan in reply to Cherylclaire]

Yes i agree.

Even though I've asked several times even before shut down with the virus no teaching or instruction of self help was offered. Even for an IM injection

I am awaiting a prescription to be left for me.

My surgery at present phone on the day or day before to see if you symptom free then the door is unlocked for you to go into a room with a masked gowned nurse.

Which is alot better than some. So I'm pleased on alot if fronts I will be going less and less often for Im. Working with them.

Also so glad I've now got supplies like so many.

One of my daughters is due her b12 Injection had no contact if what to do from surgery and surgery not replying to emails and havent it seems left a line open for incoming calls. It says to phone but a week of trying and being on hold for up to 5o minutes stressful and unacceptable.ive had ti push her ti phone and phone tk no avail. She is poorly and I've urged her to now call 111 .. some like her get too poorly as you say to think straight and push for what she needs. Then could end up in hospital. Not what she needs or the NHS need !! So frustrating so many miles between us

Autonomy is needed with the surgeries as you say.

Would save time for everyone to get that sorted.

[Bathtime in reply to Cattywampus]

Thanks for your help.i am going to phone GP on Monday to ask if I can do my husbands injection.but someone will ha e to show me how to do it.

[Bathtime in reply to Cattywampus]

I know times are very difficult at the moment,but when doctor phoned my husband she just said it wasn't safe to do it and would let him know when they could.will be phoning on Monday to ask if I can do it.will need someone to show me what to do .many thanks for you comment.

[Cinders70 in reply to Cattywampus]

I’ve just had my first two loading doses and asked the nurse if it was possible for me to do them myself to save them the time. I’m used to giving injections (ex vet nurse) although not to myself, but think I could do it. I was just told a straight NO, my surgery won’t allow it.

[Cattywampus in reply to Cinders70]

That’s such a shame. I know some surgeries are not as progressive as others. I would ask them for the rationale behind their refusal and see if you can work from there. Maybe explain that you are on this forum where many patients do self inject and that you would be happy to be observed doing the first one.

My surgery were more than happy to let me do mine and my mum’s - no questions asked. After all many people have to self inject for various reasons, diabetics, those having IVF etc so I can’t see the difference. Good luck

[Cinders70 in reply to Cattywampus]

Thanks julesr21. I have my next dose tomorrow with a different nurse, so I will ask again.

[Cattywampus in reply to Cinders70]

👍🏻🤞keep us posted

[Nackapan in reply to Cinders70]

Yes keep pushing. I had to! The nurses have to be given the go ahead ti cover themselves . It dies happen in many many surgeries .

Diabetics even before injectable pens were taught and expected to do it themselves at home .

B12 issues are just so behind on research, treatment and policies.

Hope you get it sorted

[Sleepybunny in reply to Cinders70]

Might be worth putting what you want to say into a letter to GP.

[Cinders70 in reply to Sleepybunny]

Went for my third loading dose today and the nurse was off sick, so the lady who did it was... I’m not sure... phlebotomist maybe? She said not a full nurse anyway (sorry, I know I should have found out). However, she seems to have dealt with a lot of B12 cases over the years in other practices and has said that she’s used to hearing about people doing their own shots, but it would be down to a nurse to make a decision about whether they would let me or not! I told her the one I saw last week said no, and she suggested to keep trying. I have an appointment. With a different nurse on Wednesday, so will keep asking.

But you are right, if I don’t get anywhere then it’s easier to set out a valid argument in a letter.

At the moment I’m just glad my practice are still doing them as I’ve read about so many of you having problems being told they aren’t immediately important.

I haven’t felt any better yet... maybe a SLIGHT lessoning of the pins and needles and numbness in my hands..

Oh, but since taking the folate tablets which I started a week before the injections, I’ve slept loads better at night and don’t have to keep getting up to go for a pee several times a night.

[Sleepybunny in reply to Cinders70]

Maybe if you write a letter, you could point out the positives of surgery allowing you to self inject.

1) It's cheaper.

B12 ampoules are relatively cheap but nurses' time to do injection isn't.

2) Less risk of passing virus

[Cinders70 in reply to Sleepybunny]

There’s definitely a really positive reason for DIY! Thanks Sleepybunny

[Cattywampus]

Well done all of you that are willing to do this yourselves. Just one or two visits less for a District Nurse makes a huge difference. Education is definitely key and I would be more than willing to talk someone through the process if they wish to contact me.

[Dragon2014]

Hi Bathtime.

I am 39 year old male living in UK. I have been self injecting for the last two years. 1mg every month. It is very easy to do and almost does not hurt. I do it into my arm. I bought all my gear from Germany at mycare.de/

You need the following:

B12 - Hydroxycomalamine - Rotexmedica,

Terumo Syringe without needle , U-100 , 1ml

Cutisoft wipes

Terumo Agani needle 21Gx1

Terumo Agani needle 25Gx1

[JOLLYDOLLY]

I am a bit worried now myself, as I am due one in a couple of weeks and now shielded for a minimum of 12 weeks. I will have to find out where I stand.

[Bathtime in reply to JOLLYDOLLY]

Hi Jollydolly.i have got sorted today.the nurse is going to give this injection then they are going to show me how to do it.i hope all works out for you.take care and keep safe.

[JOLLYDOLLY in reply to Bathtime]

You too Bathtime - take care and be safe xx

[Dragon2014]

Good idea

[Dragon2014 in reply to Dragon2014]

I thought some links could be useful

mycare.de/online-kaufen/b12...

For Syringes BS-01H( £8.05 for 100) Terumo 1ml Insulin Syringe x 100

For withdrawing needles ... AN- 2138R (£2.35 for 100) - Terumo AGANI Needle 21G Green x 1.5" x 100

For injection needles ... AN- 2525R ( £2.35 for 100) - Terumo AGANI Needle 25G Orange x 1" x 100 - Cutisoft Wipes - Box of 50 x 2 Sachet Injection Swabs

SKU: 72383-01

[tessanw in reply to Dragon2014]

Site says it currently only delivers within DE.

[Movian]

Hello 😊

I self-inject and have done for a couple of years. It's easy really. I do it just to save the NHS and myself the bother.

I bet that there would be a YouTube video to help.

I sit down and inject in to the top of my thigh. Soon over ☺️

[Jcilom]

Your husband could give himself the B12. I inject myself with B12. It’s easy. Maybe he could get some help from phone nurse or from any other reliable source.

[Cinders70]

Thanks beginner1 I have ordered my own stocks from Germany this afternoon as I thought it sounds like a good plan to have spare available anyway.

I will go to the surgery tomorrow as I also need to point out to them that I have bad pins and needles in my hands. I think the GP has recommended doses based on no neuropathic symptoms, despite me mentioning this. I wasn’t asked about any other possible symptoms but have found since reading up that I tick a whole load!

[Sleepybunny in reply to Cinders70]

Hi Cinders70,

I wrote a detailed reply on another forum thread with links to B12 books, B12 websites, UK B12 documents and other B12 info which you might find helpful.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

[Cinders70 in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thanks so much Sleepybunny ! That’s really helpful and a lot of info!

I have bought several books, including vitamin B12 deficiency in clinical practice, which is quite fascinating.

I wish I’d known about all this B12 stuff before, I think I’ve had this for ages! My B12 serum was 85 ng/L a couple of weeks back, and folate low as well (2.8 I think). Looks like I need to push for more injections as I have pins and needles and lots of other symptoms too.

[Angelann69]

I got the same thing and the under the tongue type work okay. Not great but okay. Mine are 2500mcg and made by Nature's Blend. Expensive little devils. The shots were free.