German pharmacies and ordering

[Frogit]

So it's been quite a journey trying to order more B12 ampoules . First I went back to Panpharma and accidentally ordered the cyanocobalamin which I am not brave enough to try using...yet...if things get worse I might. Then I tried a new to me one Apohealth (Apogesundheit) I ordered the goods, paid with my credit card, all was well. Two days later they cancelled the order and refunded my order.

I went back to the Bodfeldapothekie which I had used successfully before. They could not take my order. On Bodfelt and on Panpharma there is now advice in red letters at the bottom of the page saying not to self-inject.

I ordered Hevert ampoules (100, I was going to share with another B12 deficient self-injector locally) from Apohealth again two days ago. I thought all was well but once again they refunded my payment and said there was a technical issue. (Sad to say I had actually forgotten that I had been down that road before a couple of months ago after which I had the cyanocobalamin incident!) Yeah, don't order B12 when your brain isn't working properly.

The same red letter advice was on Versandepo.de but I was able to order Pascoe ampules today and the order seems to have gone through ok. I will hold my breath! I only ordered one pack of ten in case it was the size of the order which was the problem but that means I cannot share with my friend.

Meanwhile I saw the advanced nurse practitioner at our practice because of a urine infection. She had already prescribed antibiotics which didn't work. I had to see her before I could have more. She also checked for blood results which I hadn't been told about and found I was iron deficient (surprise surprise...not) . She asked if there was anything else, I took the plug because she was so nice about everything and told her that the doctor was insisting on a blood test before giving me back my B12 injections because it had been more than 2 years since I'd had one ....I told her I hadn't gone over to self-injecting when Covid stopped mine and that I though it was highly unfair that I would have to stop taking B12 for a long period in order to have the test and would not be able to function for work. She said that she ws happy to put me back on the bi-monthly injection I had had before. A minor miracle....but over the last two years I have been injecting monthly as that is what I need in order to function. By the 4th week I am unable to stay awake in the evening, losing my words, having a constant headache and becoming anxious and depressed as well as out of breath. I don't think I can go back to bi-monthly and I am not up for another round of fighting with our part-time docs who never follow up so it is always a different one you see. I am very grateful to the nurse practitioner but I don't want to push it until she knows me better (if she stays around ). So, I am back to pursuing B12 from Germany and wondering who is suddenly enforcing the "don't sell to the UK" rules.

I think we might be running into big trouble soon and should be working out what we can do about this. Without the supplies from Germany we will be at the mercy of the GPS who seem to treat us like drug addicts. Sorry for the big moan but I am seriously worried about the way things are going even though I am delighted that B12 is back on my prescription!

Come on government....give all the PA and B12 deficient patients a present from Santa....as much B12 as we need, when we need it....it's not a lot to ask. I'm sure we'll all go on doing it ourselves if you give us the prescription so we can buy B12 here like others buy paracetamol...a far more dangerous substance that can kill you!

[clivealive Forum Support]

Cyanocobamalin is quite safe to use Frogit although you may need to use it more frequently (3-4 weeks) - I've been using it for over fifty hears and I'm still "clivealive" aged 81

I wish you well

[a-wonderful-seed in reply to clivealive]

Now that we’ve run into this issue, am trying to recall what is the fundamental difference between the two? Especially in terms of uptake?

It’s been a few years since I first started treating with B12, and now I can’t remember from the pages and pages of preliminary research what is was..

[Technoid in reply to a-wonderful-seed]

I believe for most people, hydroxocobalamin is retained longer in the body, but I vaguely recall mention of studies that showed some exceptions.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to a-wonderful-seed]

As far as I know the "end result" is the same with the "recommended" period between injections is four weeks for cyanocobamalin, However many contributors on here find injection frequency needs to be increased even with hydroxocobamalin with 12 weeks considered to be far to long.

The "one size fits all" syndrome does not work with everyone.

I wish you well

[Frogit in reply to clivealive]

thank you clivealive, it would be daft to have it and not use it, i will get over myself and give it a try!

[Reemy]

I’m from the U.K. and purchase the Hevert brand of ampoules via Amazon.de. I’ve never had a problem at all, shipping is cheap and I usually get them in around 7 days or so. I gave up purchasing elsewhere for the reasons you gave and I can honestly say using Amazon.de was a game changer👍🏻

[andepande in reply to Reemy]

i use Amazon less hassle for my husband

as he does it for me . Only the last time they didn’t have as many as he normally orders got 60 not 100 .

[Frogit in reply to andepande]

Thank you andepande I will remember for next time…in fact I will write it down in my diary so I remember what to do when B12 brain has kicked in

[andepande in reply to Frogit]

Mine is normally in 2ml not 1 ml xx

[Marz in reply to Frogit]

I read on-line that Cyano takes a week to work in the body and Hydroxo has immediate effect for many. Cyano needs a week to progress to Hydroxo. I have just received Cyano via Amazon.de having always used Hydroxo. Googling Cyanocobalamin v Hydroxocobalamin should bring up information for you 🌻

[MoKayD in reply to Marz]

Can I ask where you read that? I can tell you from experience my cyanocobalamin shots take effect immediately.

[Marz in reply to MoKayD]

As mentioned - google Cyanocobalamin v Hydroxocobalamin. As discussed here often - we are all individuals. My understanding is synthetic Cobalamin goes through several processes before becoming usable. Glad it works well for you 🌻

[Frogit in reply to Reemy]

Thank you Reemy, I have never tried the Amazon route but I’ll look into it next time

[Frank77 in reply to Reemy]

I agree. I have tried the other German pharmacies we hear about on this forum and have had nothing but problems. I now use only amazon.de - it never fails...

[Baklava22]

Just wanted to say that the cyanocobalamin is fine. It’s all they use in Spain. I alternate with hydroxocobalamin from Germany.

I have also experienced Apohealth refunding my purchase and saying due to technical issues. It’s very frustrating. That’s when I have to rely on the local cyanocobalamin.

[Yentil]

I have just received my second order from Versandapo with absolutely no problems.

[Lincsangel1]

Very recently ordered from versandapo.de..no problems at all..great price and arrived in just 4 days

[Monbretia]

I had exactly the same experience with Apohealth took my order got email to say goods dispatched then next day email saying cancelled due to technical problem! Have not as yet received refund . I then ordered from Amazon.de which was quite a bit more expensive .Due to arrive Dec. 19th. Fingers crossed ! I do wonder if problem due to quantity Apohealth only seemed to have packs of 100 ampoules on their site. I am really concerned about supply as once again the nurse refused my bi monthly jab ( which I have been having for 3 years Said only prescribed 3 monthly sent me away saying GP would phone to discuss next day 10 days later still waiting.