Hi all, I was wanting to know if anybody out there can recommend good quality/reliable vitamin b12 injections.
I have been attending a local private clinic on a weekly basis for a vitamin b12 injection (which has greatly improved my symptoms I might add). It's becoming quite costly (£30.00 per shot). I was thinking of ordering the B12 and injecting it myself. I
I would really appreciate any advice regarding this matter.
Many thanks. 🙂
Written by
Henbud
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Welcome to SI'ing I posted links to wedgewood's posts where she kindly explained it all. Most of us order from these reputable online german pharmacies. Please see here: healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...
Please ask if you have any questions after reading through these.
Hi wedgewood, i was thinking, could you perhaps create a new post with all the info, and we can just link to it? You could split up the info into multiple replies, to get around the character limit, and edit it or add to it when sources change. Perhaps replies could be turned off to, so it doesn't get cluttered up. Just a suggestion Thank you for all your efforts disseminating this life saving info!
Hello jade_s! I’m useless at anything technical ,( very elderly is my excuse ) but I’ll send you the information in 2 parts
HELP FOR PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA/B12 DEFICIENT PATIENTS AND OTHERS WISHING TO SELF-INJECT B12 in U.K.
ALWAYS MAINTAIN STRICT HYGIENE WHEN SELF-INJECTING .
WHERE TO OBTAIN SINGLE-USE B12 DEPOT ( Hydroxocobalamin) AMPOULES
As B12 ampoules are strictly prescription only items in the U.K. we have to obtain our ampoules from reliable German online pharmacies, which are strictly controlled by the German Health authorities . These ampoules are an over-the-counter ( OTC) item in Germany ( thank goodness for their wisdom!) But only obtainable from pharmacies .
Every pharmaceutical item has its own reference number on the pharmacy site , so it’s easy to use those numbers to get straight to the item you need ,without searching .
Depending on what you want to order, here are the reference numbers to use in your search .
PANPHARMA ( previously known as Rotexmedica )
A packet of 10 ampoules of B12 Depot ( Hydroxocobalamin)
1mg x 1ml Ref no. 16199653.
Panpharma do not sell the 100 ampoule packs any longer.
The Panpharma B12 depot ( Hydroxocobalamin) are the most popular ampoules .
HEVERT -Packet of 10 ampoules 1mg x 2ml ref no 06078368
HEVERT Packet of 100 single-use ampoules 10 x 10 packets ref no. 06078380
PASCOE -Pack of 10 ampoules 1.5 mg x 1ml ref no 07568672
PASCOE Pack of 100 ampoules ((10 x 10 packs) Ref no 07568695
Here are German online pharmacies that will ship to the U.K. by courier usually DHL FOR €9.89 no matter how many you buy .
versandapo.de ( it is in German , so you might need Google Chrome or a translation app)
If you ask, or email this pharmacy if they send B12 ampoules to UK, they will say “no” , because they will say that are not allowed to send a pharmaceutical item to a country where that item is a prescription only item ( which is the case for B12 injectable ampoules in the U.K. ) This is correct in essence, because so many drugs are prescription only, for a very good reason .
This does not apply to B12 , for we know it is not dangerous , and cannot be overdosed . In Germany , it is an over the counter item anyhow . So , you can obtain B12 ampoules from some German online pharmacies . But do follow the instructions .
It’s really best to register . You will save time with subsequent ordering ,and they have a points system if you register . 200 points when you first order , and one point for every Euro that you spend . When you have 250 points , that represents €2.50 which you can use against your next purchase .
You register and subsequently sign in by clicking on the head and shoulders silhouette ( top right on my iPad)
When filling out the address form , it is important to FIRST OF ALL SELECT YOUR COUNTRY FROM THE DROP-DOWN LIST. The U.K. is shown in German as VEREINIGTES KÖNIGREICH . (United Kingdom) So click on that and then the computer will accept your postal code and the rest of your address . If you don’t do this , your address will not be accepted .
You need to pay with PayPal ( easily obtained online ) or bank transfer. Free of charge with online banking . £25.00 at your bank !Versandapo.de does not accept card payments from U.K.
AT THE MOMENT VERSANDAPO.DE KEEPS RUNNING OUT OF STOCK OF THE POPULAR PANPHARMA AMPOULES . THEY HAVE A BOX WHERE YOU CAN GIVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND THEY WILL INFORM YOU WHEN THEY ARE BACK IN STOCK .
HERE ARE OTHER PHARMACIES THAT WILL SUPPLY B12 AMPOULES TO U.K.
bodfeld-Apotheke.de sell Panpharma, ( will only let you have 3 packs maximum of Panpharma) Also supply Hevert and Pascoe . DHL courier €9.89. Only accept Bank transfer as payment from U.K. purchasers .
I believe that you can now use “ Amazon pay” as well
juvalis.de is another German online pharmacy that will ship to U.K. Will only accept Bank transfer payments .
apotal.de also supply Panpharma , Hevert and Pascoe B12 ampoules. Cards , PayPal and Bank transfer accepted .
These sites are in German so you might need Google Chrome or a translation app.Also sell Panpharma, Hevert and Pascoe .
Courier €19.90. . Register and chose U.K as your country from the drop down list , before you add the rest of your address.
amazon.de ( German Amazon) is available in English ( click on the globe to change language) On my iPad it is at the bottom of the page.
You cannot use the Pharmaceutical reference numbers when ordering from amazon.de
amazon.de does not supply Panpharma ampoules.
They do supply HEVERT and PASCOE .
When you get the ampoules, they need to be kept dark and under 25 Celsius .I keep mine in the top shelf in the door of my fridge . It’s the warmest spot . On no account should the ampoules be frozen .
NEEDLES, SYRINGES , SWABS AND YELLOW SHARPS DISPOSAL BINS .Obtainable from ———————-
For I.M. injections. ( Intra Muscular ) I use a long coarse needle to withdraw the B12 from the ampoule into the 2ml syringe . I use 21G x 1 1/2 inches.
Blunt filter needles for withdrawing are also available, but quite a bit more expensive . BD Blunt Fill Needle with Filter £20.39 for 100 Ref 0130382903052 from medisave.co.uk
Use a 25G x 1inch needle for the actual injection . This is fine, unless you have a very thick layer of fat on your thighs, when you might need to use a 26 G x 1.5 inch needle .
26G x 1 inch needle now also available. This is slightly finer than 25 G
A 2ml syringe is needed to get every last drop of precious B12 out of a 1ml ampoule .Also fine for 2ml ampoules , as the 2ml syringe is actually a bit larger than 2ml .
For a subcutaneous injection ( sub-cut) use a fine short needle - 30G x 1/2 inch . I have not used this method , so please look up instructions on the internet.
If you look at the packaging , you will see that sub-cut is a recommended method of injecting B12 .
SO FIRST WASH YOUR HANDS, AND PLACE YOUR INJECTION ITEMS ON A FRESH PIECE OF PAPER KITCHEN TOWEL
If the temperature is low , or you have taken the ampoule from the fridge, warm the ampoule to body temperature before injecting . ( I put mine inside my bra!)
Open the ampoule at its weakest point shown as a spot on the neck . Wrap a swab round the ampoule to avoid nasty cuts
Failing that buy an ampoule opener (Amazon smile and choose Pernicious Society as your charity ) There are plastic ones and sturdy metal ones . The metal one is great .
If you are Needle -phobic , there is help in the shape of a device known as an “Auto-Injector “ available from a Danish Company
I don’t use one , but you could enquire about it from members . I know that some do use this device .
There are other devices , but I don’t have any information. But don’t buy needles or syringes if you are thinking about it .The Danish device takes specific sizes for different sizes
If you are sensitive , a numbing cream is obtainable from Amazon .
I use I.M.method for injecting. I use my thighs ( the outer middle third ) That muscle is called the VASTUS LATERALIS . It has a large injectable surface area — much larger than the top of the arm ( deltoid muscle ) I swap thighs each time I inject.
If you wish to inject sub-cut , please look it up on the Internet ( I believe it’s the tummy fat and the whole front of the thigh)
If you are injecting with B12 for the first time , please have someone with you, in case of anaphylactic shock ( like some people have after a bee-sting ) It is really very rare , but I feel obliged to tell you .
Do not worry about overdosing on B12 . You cannot . It’s a proven fact .
I’ve been self-injecting for 8 years , but I still remember shaking like a leaf 🍃when I injected for the first time ! Now it’s just routine.
Remember to include a good quantity of Vitamin B9 in your diet ( green leafy veg) It works together with B12 . It’s called folate in food and folic acid in a tablet. You could take a modest 400 mcg tablet daily. ( these are recommended in pregnancy . ) You cannot overdose on folate in food , but you can overdose on folic acid in tablets .
TO INJECT INTRAMUSCULARLY
Flick the ampoule to get all the B12 into the bottom .Open it by either wrapping a swab around it to avoid cutting yourself , or use an ampoule opener . Break it at the weakest point , which is marked with a spot on the neck of the ampoule
Use a 2ml syringe .(with a 1ml syringe ,it’s impossible to get every last drop of precious B12 out of the ampoule!) Fix the withdrawing needle on the end of the syringe . Pull out the plunger on the syringe and SLOWLY inject air into the ampoule . Now pull out the plunger and all the precious B12 will be sucked up into the syringe . Now take off the withdrawing needle and replace it with the injection needle .. Now gently press the plunger to eliminate the air in the syringe , until a tiny bead of red B12 appears on the needle tip. 💉
YOU ARE NOW READY TO INJECT INTO THE VASTUS LATERALIS MUSCLE. ( it’s nearest the surface of your thigh in the middle outside third of your thigh - look up info online .There are also diagrams of the thigh and the muscle ) Inject at 90 degrees .
For sub cut please refer to internet , as I’ve not used this method , or ask members on the forum .
After injecting please dispose of needles into a yellow sharps bin . When full, ask your local council how you can dispose of the full bin . Disposal varies in different areas . I can take mine to a local chemist .
Sometimes Pernicious Anaemia Patients suffer with “gut” problems , tummy pain and bloating etc . This happens because P.A. patients have low or no stomach acid . Hypochlorhydria/ Achlorhydria. ( due to the destruction of their parietal cells by the Intrinsic Factor antibodies ) The parietal cells produce stomach acid and The intrinsic factor. This low acid environment allows bad bacteria to flourish, which upsets the flora ( good bacteria ) in the stomach . Some P,A. patients find that taking an acidic drink like diluted organic cider -apple vinegar , lime / lemon juice with meals ,especially protein meals , really helps this .
Some people do a “ home -test “ for stomach acid . Dissolve a 1/4 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a little water, and drink this on an empty stomach — when you first get up in the morning . If you have adequate levels of stomach acid , the bicarb. will be neutralised , and converted into gas . this means you should experience burping within 3-5 minutes after drinking the solution . If no burping occurs , it suggests that you have insufficient stomach acid . Don’t tell your doctor about this . Mine said he had never heard anything so ridiculous! But it is logical . Of course it’s not scientific . But your doctor will not help you to get accurate information about your very important stomach acid . I would do the test on 4 or 5 consecutive days, to get a better idea of the situation .
The greatest help for my “gut” problems was a probiotic called Symprove , a water-based liquid . But there are probiotic capsules The probiotic encourages the growth of the good stomach flora . Also good to take after a course of anti-biotics , which destroy all bacteria good and bad .
Natural probiotics work well e.g. Organic sauerkraut , real yoghurt, kimchi and kefir .
Since getting the B12 treatment I need by getting adequate B12 injections, and the probiotic Symprove, the gut problems have disappeared . I no longer need Symprove ..
It is a good idea to eat smaller meals more often if one has low stomach acid ( as Pernicious Anaemia patients do ). Also chew food very thoroughly, giving the enzymes in saliva a good chance to start the breakdown of the food .
In severe cases of very low or no stomach acid ( Hypochlorhydria / Achlorhydria ) a capsule called Betaine Hydrochloric acid with pepsin will increase the acid in the stomach .( Amazon smile) Taken at mealtimes , can be used , but best to ask a nutritionist about dosage . It will vary according to how much stomach acid you have . There are instructions about dosage online .
A modest multi-vitamin and mineral tablet can also be helpful , as a low acid stomach is not good at breaking down our food to make minerals and vitamins available for absorption.
STOMACH ACID IS VERY IMPORTANT. WE NEED IT TO BREAK DOWN OUR FOOD , SO THAT WE CAN ABSORB ITS NUTRIENTS .
Whew, posted! healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po... I told people not to PM me but you can, if we need to make some chages I just can't keep up with PMs to be honest. Thank you for sending the info and preparing it all so nicely!!
Henbud, so sorry to have hijacked your post!!!! I posted to wedgewood on a whim and the discusson grew like a hydra. LOL. Thanks for letting us discuss here.
Awwww thank you 😊 But *you* are the real star, collating all this info and writing it up so nicely so i'm awarding you three gold stars!🌟🌟🌟 And one more for teamwork 🌟😁
Jade_s, you and Wedgewood are both wonderful! This was so helpful. Thank you both so much for taking the time to put this all together. There was so much info that I didn't know anything . Thank you both very much for all this work.
I saved this post because I clicked on the link above and it said that the post had been deleted.(?) I'm not sure what happened there. But at least I saved this thread.
Hiya don't worry the info wasn't lost and yes luckily it's still here. I've put it all online and those wishing the info can PM me or wedgewood for the link.
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