B12 spray

[PurpleThyroid]

I’ve been prescribed a nasal spray B12 - has anyone else had this? Did it work? Any side effects?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

I am assuming that you aren't in the UK or if you are that this is a private arrangement as there aren't actually any nasal B12 products currently licensed for medical use in the UK.Having said that I hav e used nasal sprays and found them very effective - for me they were more effective than injections - though I did use them several times a day rather than the once a day/once a week suggested on the packet. I went from stuggling to walk to being quite happy at the top of a ladder to prune a grape-vine in the space of 3 weeks and emerged from decades of depression within a few months.

Unfortunately though it's pretty hit and miss as not everyone is going to find they work for them

[PurpleThyroid in reply to Gambit62]

It's a private prescription, though this does explain why the labelling isn't in English! I've been once a day for two weeks now. Dr thinks I do have PA but wants to try this before going to injections.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to PurpleThyroid]

It is worth trying. Even if you have PA it may help - but it just doesn't help everyone. There is at least one member of this forum with a confirmed diagnosis of PA (using the schilling test from the days when it was still done) who finds oral sprays useful.There is a process called passive absorption which means that very small amounts of very high doses of oral/nasal B12 can be absorbed outside the normal mechanism for B12 absorption but there is also some resistance to the idea that this could be helpful to patients with PA or other absorption problems (including some members of this forum).

Passive absorption seems to vary a lot from individual to individual though

[nmayow in reply to Gambit62]

I’ve been using the oral spray and seen a difference only tiny bits but its an improvement

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to nmayow]

glad it is working for you.

[fbirder]

It all depends on whether or not you can absorb B12 orally.

The B12 molecule is too large to cross biological membranes unaided, so the whole dose will end up being swallowed.

[PurpleThyroid in reply to fbirder]

Ah, I see. I don't know! The Dr did say that if this doesn't help we can switch to injections.

[wedgewood]

I tried a nasal spray when a 3 monthly injection was grossly insufficient . I found that it didn’t help one jot . But it’s worth a try ,as some people say that they help .

[PurpleThyroid in reply to wedgewood]

Fingers crossed!

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Have you been tested for PA?

Pernicious Anaemia is an auto immune condition.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

PA tests

Intrinsic Factor Antibody (IFA) test

labtestsonline.org/tests/in...

Parietal Cell Antibody (PCA) test

labtestsonline.org/tests/pa...

PCA is not recommended as a diagnostic test for PA in UK.

It is still possible to have PA with a negative result in IFA or PCA test.

About 50% of people with PA test negative on IFA test.

About 10% of people with PA test negative on PCA test.

Link about "What to do next" if B12 deficiency suspected

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

UK B12 document

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

BNF Hydroxycobalamin

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

Lots of B12 info in my replies on the the thread below eg symptoms, causes of B12 deficiency, B12 books, B12 websites, B12 articles/documents and a few hints about dealing with unhelpful GPs.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

I'm in UK so some info in links may be specific to UK.

I have written other very detailed replies on the forum that you might find helpful.

I am not medically trained.

[nmayow]

I was told by my GP to use a nasal spray but said i would gave to buy it I can’t find it anywhere to buy

[Hidden in reply to nmayow]

Naturesfix.co.uk has some in stock called Methyl Mate. I have never tried it but it is available.

[briarhillcat]

I have never heard of nasal spray