Self injecting b12

Helloo I have been having facial pain that my gp didn't know how to treat, after seeing more doctors and taking medication that did no effect whatsoever I know that I might have TN. I now have a neurologist appointment soon. I have read the treatment options and did research about the benefits of B12 on the nervous system. Many patients were pain free after their first couple of injections. The struggle is convincing my doctors that I need them, they don't even think I could have TN despite the electric nature of my pain and the many other obvious symptoms just because I am 20, and TN is mostly found in women of 50 and above.

Okaay so question is I need to find a way of self injecting B12 and wanted to take a course to learn but they all require previous medical/beauty training which I don't have. Any suggestions?

[Nackapan]

You need to have a first b12 injection in a medical setting incase you have a reaction. Private clinics give them at a cost!

I would wait if you can to your neurology appointment.

Have you had our b12 level tested .

Many symptoms fit many conditions.

[Hidden in reply to Nackapan]

Do private clinics need a prescription? My b12 was borderline but I have read that even that level can have neurological symptoms

[Nackapan in reply to Hidden]

Alot if places do b12 injections without a prescription but pricey.

Have you tried oral b12. ?

Injections are only needed if you have an absorption problem .

Get a second opinion from a different doctor perhaps whilst you are waiting for your neurologist appointment.

Just suggestions .

[Hidden in reply to Nackapan]

I have never heard of b12 injections without prescriptions, i live in the Uk, if you could mention any it would be great

[Nackapan in reply to Hidden]

Sorry I cant .Depends on where you live ect. Also recommendations cant be given of clinics and specialists ect.

This is for sharing b12 deficiency/ PA

experiences.

I think best to start off working with a doctor.

You say your neurologist appointment is soon.

You will hopefully get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

They may well put you on a trial.

Hope you get some answers at your appointment.

[emmac79xxx in reply to Hidden]

I’m from the uk and theirs many beauty Salam’s that do then now but I bought mine from Germany and the needles and gave them myself

[Hidden in reply to Nackapan]

Also, I saw at least 5 doctors now.. none of their diagnosis was convincing nor the medication effective

[Nackapan in reply to Hidden]

Thats why you have now been referred to a neurologist. Which is a good thing.

[Sita505USA in reply to Hidden]

Before I got a physician to prescribe B12, I found a weight-loss clinic on Groupon and got a series of three injections for about $50. Some Accupuncture doctors can prescribe B12. Best wishes.

[Dexy123]

I experienced shooting pains under my jaw several years before being diagnosed with b12 deficiency, when I had no other symptoms of deficiency. I went to the doctors but they had no answers but I worried it was TN based on how it felt and medical descriptions. I believe the TN was caused by b12 deficiency, as my levels were later found to be 111 at diagnosis, but by then I had more symptoms than just TN. I was in my early 30s when the TN started. Presumably your b12 levels are actually low as well?

[Hidden in reply to Dexy123]

My levels are borderline, acceptable medically, i think it was around 300, i would be surprised if it turns out to be b12 and not tn, do you have any pain now? Still taking b12?

[Dexy123 in reply to Hidden]

I find the TN comes back every now and again usually in cold weather so has been fine recently. Get 8 weekly injections now and take 3000ug (adenyl/methyl) oral b12 daily - don’t feel it’s enough though. Dabbled with SI but got found it a bit too scary in practice, despite getting brilliant advice on this from this group and grateful for it. Giving SI serious reconsideration again though as it’s tough getting any recognition in-line with BSH guidelines from the medical profession.

[Hidden in reply to Dexy123]

8 weekly? So like daily injections? I don't think they would offer that in the uk, many doctors think b12 can be toxic, baffling

[Dexy123 in reply to Hidden]

1 injection every 8 weeks. Yeah toxicity seems to be a common misconception

[Hidden in reply to Dexy123]

I don't think thats enough at all... there's studies from 1950s when 1000 mcg daily gave complete pain relief to 80% of tn patients in the trial, for 2 years..

[ATS1304 in reply to Hidden]

Was the 1000mcg daily you refer to an oral supplement? Just thinking that oral supplements are not always absorbed because of PA and other autoimmune conditions and SI is the only way to get relief. I don’t know anything about TN sorry but I know from being here people can have higher levels B12 but still be symptomatic. My daughter is “borderline” at 171 which is below the bottom range so I say deficient and I am going to SI as I think she has an underlying condition causing her deficiency.

[Hidden in reply to ATS1304]

The 1000 mcg was injected in those studies, oral supplements barely let the body have any b12. Only a small proportion is absorbed the rest is wasted, this isn't the case with injections. All this is only related to TN. Good luck with your daughter, hope she gets better soon, thanks for the reply xx

[Hidden in reply to Dexy123]

Also, dis you have any triggers? Temperature/touching the zone?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Did****

[Dexy123 in reply to Hidden]

Cold temperature definitely a factor. Felt like sometimes triggered based on neck movement or maybe slight muscle tension around region in neck. Always right side only, under jaw and near ear

[Hidden in reply to Dexy123]

For me it's neck movement, swallowing, hot temperature and even talking sometimes unfortunately, around how often do you feel it, any procedures you tried? Pain levels?

[Dexy123 in reply to Hidden]

I haven’t had it in recent months, which I believe is due to temperature being warmer. At worst got several times a fat for a few months. Always very brief, shooting pain which only lasts for a second or two but makes me think or say “ow”!

[Dexy123 in reply to Dexy123]

*day not fat

[Hidden in reply to Dexy123]

Do you mind me asking how long you have had them?

[Dexy123 in reply to Hidden]

Initially most days for over six months which is why I went to gp and got sent for an ultrasound which didn’t find anything. Interestingly the massaging of the ultrasound seemed to help which fits with the idea of a muscle pressing on a nerve etc. Shooting pains returned more intermittently once my injections stopped early last year due to the pandemic but frequency has not been as bad as initially. For me it’s just been one of a variety of symptoms.

[Hidden in reply to Dexy123]

Hmmmm so it sounds like it's been years since the first attack for you?

[ClareP5]

I taught myself to SI using PA site and YouTube videos. It’s a bit nerve wracking at first but quickly get used to it. If you think you’re B12 deficient try taking supplements and using patches to see if any impact before going for injections. I felt a difference but to get full symptoms relief I was spending a fortune on them. SI has been cheaper!

[Hidden in reply to ClareP5]

Glad to know! I trued patches and drops but they didn't seem to have any effect.. maybe injections will be more effective for me who knows

[Tanyanarialucia1965]

I self inject into my thigh every 8 weeks, I have a great doctor who is onboard and showed me, it’s easy but unnerving, you can you tube it but also some beauty salons now offer b12 injections at around 20 quid a shot which is something you could google for your area ?

[Hidden in reply to Tanyanarialucia1965]

Yesssss thank you I just found one close to me recently, they charge £30, bit costly but worth a try for sure until I learn and gather some courage to SI 🥵

[Irenekkkk]

I was also super nervous about self injecting. I have never liked shots, but my symptoms got to the point where I didn't care anymore and wanted relief. I watched a few youtubes, gathered the materials and talked my partner through it (upper arm). It was way more intense in my head than in reality. After a few weeks, I bit the bullet and SI into my thigh (I didn't want to wait until he was available 😆). I realized once again that the idea of what was happening was tripping me out more than the reality of it. I sing myself an 'I love you' (cheesy but works for me) song while I am doing it - which relaxes me and reminds me of why I am doing what I am doing. It has helped my symptoms to an insane degree (good insane!) - I 100% recommend it if you are struggling from B12 deficiency.

[Fleecie in reply to Irenekkkk]

Can I ask if you inject SC or IM? I'm still considering my options for self injecting, I can't make my mind up whether to do it subcutaneously or intra-muscularly.

[Irenekkkk in reply to Fleecie]

IM, everything I read said it was better for absorption.

[Fleecie in reply to Irenekkkk]

Thanks.