Just had a call from a locum doctor from our surgery as I'd asked for a replacement inhaler.
She started by saying that I was overdue a medication review (basically surgery only offers telephone diagnosis) so we could do it over the 'phone. Did I have a blood pressure reader and a peak flow meter? If so do the tests myself and ring the receptionist with the results.
But before that we had a long discussion about my B12 injection ampules. My last blood tests showed levels were extremely high and this was dangerous. I could overdose.
When I said I don't think so I got a lecture about 6 years of clinical training and duty of care. Told her about the fact that doctors should treat the symptoms not the blood test results - another long lecture.
By then I had had enough and told her that if she stopped the provision of the ampules I would just buy them online and my husband would do my injections. We already do this anyway as I need more regular injections than the eight weekly they prescribe, although the surgery doesn't know that.
She "won't stop the prescription at the moment". I suppose I should be thankful that she didn't start to lecture me about tablets!!
Will have to see what happens when I do my repeat prescription.
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sueeaton
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Thanks - apparently her 6 year of "clinical training" trumps any knowledge I might have! I simply can't be bothered to try to change her attitude - anyway with the turnover rate in our closed surgery for locum doctors I doubt I'll ever have to deal with her again.
What a sad state of affairs though - some one might believe her and stop the injections that they so badly need.
Sounds like my surgery, run by locum Drs got a really bad name and they’ve stopped my injections because of toxic levels of b12. You just can’t educate some people!!!
"we had a long discussion about my B12 injection ampules. My last blood tests showed levels were extremely high and this was dangerous. I could overdose."
Have you considered putting your queries about treatment into a letter to GP?
Here's some ammunition if GP tries to stop them again in future.
"Can you give me your references in writing, please" is one of the most powerful phrases in our language these days. It's sad it's come to this but if needs must...
I'm very sorry you have had to deal with this and want to send you my sympathy to help balance back up the knock it has dealt you! You are right. She is wrong. Please pick yourself up and know that you have done a good deed by trying to educate her - for all of us - thank you!
Thanks to everyone who replied. This forum gave me all the information I needed when I was first fighting for a diagnosis and when I decided to start self injecting.
It continues to be a source of support and I appreciate it. I shall wait to see what happens when I order my next B12 ampoules. If they are not prescribed I shall write to the Practice Manager, using the information, and ask for an explanation.
I did give them all the printed information when first being prescribed but I suspect they have never bothered to put it onto the computerised records.
"I did give them all the printed information when first being prescribed but I suspect they have never bothered to put it onto the computerised records."
May be worth quoting from relevant guidelines etc directly into the body of any letter to GP.
My understanding is that letters to GPs are supposed to be filed with patient's medical notes.
Hi I was having mine every 8 wks felt really good on it and had been having them for the pass 10 years plus no problem at all my doctors was taken over by the health authority I think when for my 8 wks jab and was refused by the nurse because b12 cannot be given every 8wks, because my level was high just under 800 so put on b12 holiday for 2 years in Sep 18 I've monitored my level dropping since then felt tired and pushed for My level to be check several times now my level has gone up from 9 months ago having and problems with platelets and ferritin not right I have to say to self inject is not for me.
"was refused by the nurse because b12 cannot be given every 8wks"
I think the nurse was wrong.
BNF specifies injections every 2 months ( which is 8-9 weeks) for those with neuro symptoms and injections every 2 - 3 months for those without neuro symptoms.
My level hasn't been 800 ng/L since August 2016. I'd never felt so ill in my whole life.
It now remains at a constant level of over 2000 ng/L . If I didn't give myself frequent injections, I would have continued to deteriorate. I'm never going back.
I have been told that B12 is "carcinogenic", "toxic", "highly addictive" and more by consultants, who should know better. Or perhaps they do know better- and are fully aware that they are lying. In which case: why ?
I'd probably have laughed if I hadn't been so busy crying.
It is perfectly evident that this cannot possibly be true if it is also true that for those with a genetic inability to process B12 at cell level, the NHS treatment frequency is 2 injections a week. That much I know to be true, as I was told by two DNA experts on two separate occasions that this is their standard recommendation to GPs in these (thankfully rare) cases.
I have also been told by a consultant that he was "well aware of the euphoric sensation experienced" when self injecting with B12. Must've been doing it wrong for the past 3 years then !
sueeaton : So despite the locum thinking that you could overdose on B12, she won't be stopping your prescription for B12 ? How very odd. The consultant (also a locum) who told me that B12 was toxic and highly addictive, told my GP in her report not to give me more injections than the recommended 1 every 2 months.
( Note: This is also the level that Bettyboo has been told "cannot be given")
Well, she did say “I won’t stop it for now” but I have no understanding of the amount of control over that she, as a locum, has. I also told her that if she stopped it I would just buy it on the internet and my husband would do my injections. (We do that anyway, as 5 weekly prescriptions are not enough to keep my symptoms at bay). I suppose I shall find out when I do my repeat prescription whether she did stop it or not.
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Where did I go from here - if anywhere. High b12
If you are going to be ill, be a dog!
I must be going mad!
