My experience with PA and Covid-19

[Dakota17777]

Hello, I am 20 years old and I recently contracted covid-19 and I also have pernicious anemia. I have been treating my pernicious anemia for 6 months. My only symptom was a mild fever and sore throat that lasted 2 days. I recovered within 48 hours. I just wanted to post this to ease some of the tensions because I dont think having pernicious anemia puts you in the high risk group while your pernicious anemia is being treated.

[Nackapan]

I'm so pleased you had mild symptoms and now have antibodies to that virus.

I agree if you have PA and are staying well on b12 treatment that is the case.

Age of course is another high risk factor with or without a chronic ongoing condition .

[wedgewood]

Thanks for letting us know your experience . I would agree that having Pernicious Anaemia doesn’t place one in a high risk category with Covid 19 as long as one is treated adequately for P.A. Many P.A. patients are under -treated for their condition , which does leave them vulnerable. This. happens because P.A. is a grossly misunderstood condition , and a “one treatments fits all “ policy is applied , i.e. one B12 injection very 2 or 3 months. In actual fact the requirement varies enormously . That’s why many of us are obliged to self-inject . But many patients are left below par, suffering varying degrees of deficiency. And this has been exacerbated by the edict that tablets can be used during the pandemic instead of B12 injections , which P.A. patients cannot absorb. This has been a source of great anxiety . The edict has had to be revised because of intervention from the Chairman of our society, Martyn Hooper , but many doctors are failing to comply . Hence the great concern .

I’m really glad that you overcame Covid 19 relatively easily . But , bear in mind that you had “ youth on your side”! Very best wishes and thanks for getting in touch .

[Frausch in reply to wedgewood]

I live in the US and in Germany

I selfinject once a month to treat my PA for the past 40 years. In the US I have to get a prescription for cyanocobalamin or METHYLCOBALAMIN which is absorbed faster into the body. In Germany I get Cyanocobalamin over the Counter.

I fail to understand why so many folks have so many problems getting this stuff in the UK?

[fbirder in reply to Frausch]

No. Methylcobalamin is not absorbed significantly faster than cyanocobalamin. Indeed, slower absorption is better as it means less will be eliminated via the kidneys.

Once they get into the cell both methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin are the same, as they are both converted to cob(II)alamin.

[wedgewood in reply to Frausch]

You can also get Hydroxocobalamjn ampoules OTC in Germany at any pharmacy . You can obtain single use Methylcobalamin ampoules in Germany directly from the manufacturer— Arnika in Munich by emailing — [e-mail]

Or phoning 089 452 468 468

arnika-apo.de is their site , but you cannot order from there .

I actually didn’t find Methylcobalamin had any advantages over Hydroxocobalamin.

B12 ampoules in UK are strictly prescription only , as in USA

I’m afraid it’s not easy to get a prescription for B12 ampoules in UK . Firstly you usually need a diagnosis of Pernicious Anaemia, which is difficult to get , because it cannot be relied upon ( The Intrinsic Factor Antibody test which gives about 50%negative result for P.A. patients ). . It’s not encouraged in the U.K. to self-inject.

We , in the U.K. need to get our supplies of B12 ampoules from German online pharmacies . Luckily they are very efficient and controlled by the German Health Authorities .

[Frausch in reply to wedgewood]

Great, didn’t know about the hydroxycobalmin availability at the Apotheke locally, will try.

Also thanks for the link in Munich since I live just outside of it. I get my kit for Methylcobalamin from a Texas Compound pharmacy which I have to mix myself, grate instructions. Empower pharmacy in Houston. Tx,

877-562-8577. It’s a 10 000 mcg vial. Must be refrigerated after reconstitution.

Thanks

[wedgewood in reply to Frausch]

It’s much safer to use any injectables that are in single use ampoules . Arnika make 1mg x 1ml ampoules and 5mg x 1ml ampoules . They are best kept refrigerated ,as Methylcobalamin is somewhat unstable , though if you ask Arnika , they will say that you don’t need to refrigerate it ! They have a shop , selling mainly homeopathic remedies . Am Sportpark 5 in Unterhaching . As you are often live in Munich ,you might find that German online pharmacies are cheaper for Hydroxocobalamin and Cynocobalamin ampoules than the high street ones . Have a look a 2 that are used by many on this forum — bodfeld-apotheke.de and versandapo.de. They send free of charge if you spend over a certain amount . Look for Rotexmedica B12 depot - depot indicates Hydroxocobalamin. If you don’t stipulate “depot” you get Cynocobalamin ampoules . You can buy a pack of 10 and multiples thereof or 100 ( 10 x 10 )

Greetings to Munich - I lived there for 5 years . Just bought a few bottles of Erdinger Weißbier for old times’ sake ! GRÜSS GOTT !

[Frausch in reply to wedgewood]

Really great info and will check it all out. Actually I live in Freising home of TU München for lots of research activities and of course it’s home of Weihenstephan, the oldest and “biased” best brewery in the world.

I’ll hoist one for you

Stay healthy

Getting ready to watch Chelsea on sky

[wedgewood in reply to Frausch]

👍👍👍🍻💉

[JBCADR]

Thank you! My husband just tested positive for Covid and I just took my kids and we all got tested tonight. I have P.A. and have been treating for four months. My kids are all on B12 injections as well and I am worried. Thank you! ❤️