1.5mg vs 1mg pascoe: Our GP refused to... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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1.5mg vs 1mg pascoe

Loupharm profile image
52 Replies

Our GP refused to continue to prescribe so we ordered b12 hydroxo using Amazon prime from Amazon.de. Haven’t started using the German product yet as I’m wondering whether to use the whole 1.5 mg or draw up (approx) 1mg? 🤔 I’ve been on 1mg every other day since February so I’m wondering if I might get problems with low potassium if I up the dose? Can anyone help/advise. Thank you 😊

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Loupharm profile image
Loupharm
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52 Replies
Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

Perhaps stick to 1mg or inject less often?

Loupharm profile image
Loupharm in reply toNackapan

thank you too 😊

jade_s profile image
jade_s

You should be fine with the full dose. Low potassium typically only happens when you first start injections, when the body gets a rush of B12 and rapidly starts building new red blood cells. For someone that has been injecting every other day for several months, the effect should be minimal. You can always slightly increase your intake of bananas, coconut water, etc, if you're worried or you notice symptoms.

I've read here a few people going every 3 days rather than every 2 after switching to Pascoe. Or you might find you do even better sticking to every 2nd day with the 1.5 mg. But I would just go by symptoms - trial and error as always ;) Best wishes.

Loupharm profile image
Loupharm in reply tojade_s

thank you it’s lovely to hear real life experience, I appreciate it 😊

I’m doing a lot better, was bedbound, now able to work (from home), amazing progress in <4 months, I really have to keep reminding myself of that!

jade_s profile image
jade_s in reply toLoupharm

That's great progress, well done!! 🙌😀

charks profile image
charks in reply toLoupharm

You say your GP refuses to give you B12. What does he attribute your amazing recovery to? Just loading doses?

rogergee profile image
rogergee in reply tocharks

That made me snort! My recovery was all in my head, according to my GP.

B12life profile image
B12life in reply torogergee

we sure as hell know it's not and we're all that matters ;) lol.

Been there!

Pearls before swine

Cool_Cucumber profile image
Cool_Cucumber in reply tojade_s

How long does the cramps and tiredness of low potassium take to disappear? I took 2 injections of 1mg each and have difficulty functioning through the day. It's been 3 weeks since the injection

Thrones12 profile image
Thrones12

I switched to Pascoe and I’m doing very well on it,my frequency has now settled at twice weekly I find it very easy to get on with,no stinging or pain when injecting ,I’m very happy with it. I just had another order delivered very quickly and good use by dates 06/25..go for it you won’t regret it. Best of luck..x

deniseinmilden profile image
deniseinmilden

I've been using the 1.5mg ones every day for 8 years, by necessity: 1mg isn't enough for me each day. I know of people who have been using 2 of these per day, to save needing to do 3 injections, for years. These ampoules are fine to use.

If you use the whole ampoule - you might as well - you should be able to space out your jabs a bit more = bonus!

If you are worried about potassium, look it up online and then include lots of sources of it in your diet - fruits, nuts, seeds, veggies and meat are all potentially good sources, with some better than others.

Good luck with your continuing improvement. If it slows, check you don't have another "limiting factor" of another vitamin or mineral that might have become deficient. Keep looking for progress - it should be available for years!

Orchard33 profile image
Orchard33

I have only used Pascoe 1.5 since January when I began EOD SI. I have made good progress and use a potassium supplement most of the time. Although I prefer bananas.

Loupharm profile image
Loupharm in reply toOrchard33

thank you, part of my potassium concern is I hate bananas!

Orchard33 profile image
Orchard33 in reply toLoupharm

Oh dear. Supplements, then.

Sid_Arthur profile image
Sid_Arthur in reply toLoupharm

. . . bananas 🍌🍌🍌. . . once said to be Britain's favourite fruit, are n⛔t without their issues ! Like all fruit, they're high in glucose & fructose, esp when ripe, which pretty much all of us get too much of already, given our carb-heavy, insulin raising ( - 'hyperinsulinemia'-causing) & maintaining diets !

Dr David Unwin would ban 🍌s if he could ! In general, ALL fruit is more likely to raise insulin levels than n⛔t - this cld be ONE contributory factor to higher B12 requirements ? ( - I'm prepared to guess! The sweeter the fruit, the more likely this effect will tend to be, generally ! Avocados, also a source of potassium are said to be less of an issue, with their lower sugar content! ( - then, having it on toast, increases the carbs again, fuelling the 'HI' !).

Great info on this 'HI' in ytbe vid 'The Bittersweet Truth' by Dr P Jamnadas ! ( - most of the UK popln is likely to hv 'HI' . . . it seems, but its rarely ever being assessed! 😮❗).

Products like 'lo-salt' usually have potassium chloride, which may be the easiest, most convenient & most economical way to increase potassium intake ?

Pleased to hear you made great progress in a ~4 months . . . ! 🙂

Sid 🤕

Friday 9 June 2023, . . . on a 🌞nny summer's day.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B12life profile image
B12life in reply toSid_Arthur

amen to the avoiding fruit and the insulin spiking diet we have!!! Nice explanation.

I would like to suggest using potassium citrate instead of chloride- causes lesions with long term use.

I have been using potassium supplements since 2016. Potassium is very dangerous if overdosed on so I ensure I know the amounts I am consuming. Sid aurthor nailed it with the fruit and toast is just carbs that spike out insulin. Quit the tangent for some but I hear you on this sid. Low carb was a game changer for me.

mountainice profile image
mountainice in reply toB12life

What do you have instead of fruit - it's good for us surely. We eat quite a lot! I know my heart beats fast when I eat anything really, more noticeable when I lie in bed at night and if I eat too late in the evening.

B12life profile image
B12life in reply tomountainice

low carb fruits like berries: black, blue, strawberries.

vit c can be obtained from other non carb loaded things like parsley or other things, other than sugar loaded oranges. we are told as a society that the only sources for things are things that have sugar. not true.

mountainice profile image
mountainice in reply toB12life

I did know fruit has sugar but I don't worry about it. My husband and I eat oranges, and clementines or satsumas when in season every day, plus banana every day and grapes, blueberries at breakfast, apples in salad. We hardly eat parsley. We eat a varied diet and never worry too much about what we eat, apart from being sensible and not stuffing ourselves with fast food, cakes and biscuits. I think whatever works for you is good.

B12life profile image
B12life in reply tomountainice

well, we are all built different and if you don't have diabetes or insulin resistance (just as bad), or problems with excessive weight then I would say eat away. You got lucky and got a great liver than can handle the excess sugar. :) enjoy!

My recommendations on diet are not for everyone for sure. but for those that feel raunchy after eating sugar,.... it might just be the insulin resistance. I say no to viva la resistance in that case. lol.

mountainice profile image
mountainice in reply toB12life

Thankfully I don't have diabetes, am not overweight. I don't think I have insulin resistance (just looked it up). I do notice I feel yukky if I eat too much sugary things, but maybe everyone does, or they don't notice it. I did have a special test in hospital, can't remember why, testing sugar - fasting then drinking a sugar drink. The blood draw sagar test was ok but the nurse mentioned that the finger prick test afterwards showed my sugar up a bit, but no-one followed that up.

B12life profile image
B12life in reply tomountainice

I have never been overweight. It's a COMPLETE misnomer that weight has a direct correlation with diabetes.

I felt like crap, would get tired after eating sugar, then if I did any physical exertion I would get hypoglycemic so bad I would get nauseated for hours. if you have anything like this, it's insulin resistance; however, low carb diet may help with the asthma regardless but wouldn't worry about that until the b12 is normalized and you feel good enough to do something like that. It was wild. I did the low carb because of the insulin resistance problem but ended up noticing that the asthma completely went away.

mountainice profile image
mountainice in reply toB12life

Yes, I realise people can also be thin - my mum was with undiagnosed diabetes when she died and a friend who has diabetes is very thin.

No, I don't get like that after sugar.

Oops, perhaps mixing me up with someone else, I didn't mention asthma or B12. I do my own B12 injections plus have them at the surgery; or perhaps you are talking about your asthma and I'm glad the low carb diet helped that.

tomdickharry profile image
tomdickharry in reply toLoupharm

and they give me terrible indigestion, have problems with nuts, too. I've not found a good potassium supplement so I'm open to suggestions....

Asselchen profile image
Asselchen

In Germany most of us inject 1.5 Pascoe EOD or even up to twice daily.

Loupharm profile image
Loupharm in reply toAsselchen

thank you, 😊 do you supplement?

Asselchen profile image
Asselchen in reply toLoupharm

You mean with b12 injections? Yes, for two years now.

Asselchen profile image
Asselchen in reply toLoupharm

Or do you mean potassium? I supplement, as it started dropping after a year. I don't know anyone else who had that happen though.

WIZARD6787 profile image
WIZARD6787 in reply toAsselchen

Thank you for that. Good information!

DiNL profile image
DiNL

Ive also been using Pascoe and inject everyday. It has done wonders for me! Good Luck

FlashHippy profile image
FlashHippy

Thank you all for your advice on this forum. It has been so helpful. Re: the 1.5 ampoules of hydro can you post a link please. I’d like to take a slightly bigger dose. I always find some gets left in the syringe. Thank you

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply toFlashHippy

I used to find that 1ml syringe was too small to take the full contents of a 1ml ampoule . I changed to usung a 2ml syringe and I can totally empty the 1ml ampoule now .

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply toFlashHippy

I buy these

apohealth.de/en/products/vi...

Into 2ml syringe, sc, daily, with 1/2” fine needle. Warm the B12 in my palm first, inject slowly, wait 20 seconds before removal - by far “best” aka least worse self injecting experience!

Best of luck.

mountainice profile image
mountainice in reply toWwwdot

I've been using Pascoe when I got them by mistake, but even with a 2ml syringe I've never yet been able to get out 1.5 ml. Don't t know why

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply tomountainice

Hi mountainice. It’s 1ml liquid which contains 1500ug B12. Generally the volume of liquid stays the same but the amount (concentration ) of B12 in it changes. Does that make sense?

mountainice profile image
mountainice in reply toWwwdot

Well, I didn't know that! Thank you. I could never understand why I only got 1ml out, now I know! I've been using it for months, I don't really notice any difference to my other one in how it makes me feel. Sometimes it doesn't sting at all, sometimes it does. I've got lots to use up!

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply tomountainice

Hi mountainice

My injections sting if:

I inject b12 too cold - inject body temp

I inject too quickly - inject slowly.

Hope this helps 🤗🤗🤗

mountainice profile image
mountainice in reply toWwwdot

Thanks. I always warm under my arm or against body beneath underwear. I do it slowly. No rhyme nor reason why it's sometimes different. Also, sometimes the needle stings going in, sometimes painless

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply tomountainice

I think then it’s just what it is. At least we are able to self inject and it’s uncomfortable but we are worth it! 🤗🤗🤗

Maisal11 profile image
Maisal11

I use the 1.5 Pascoe, use the whole ampule, you’ll be fine.. the longer you self inject the less draw on potassium so as long as you eat/drink the rda each day of potassium you’ll be ok

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot

Hi Loupharm

I think the message from above is don’t worry and get on with it! There are lots of other sources of potassium including carrot juice and dark chocolate!

I inject 1500 ug every day and it’s made a big difference from 1000 ug every day. I am on my second box so past the 100 injections mark. I feel so much better.

I hope you make great improvements with your new self care regime. 🤗🤗🤗

Pickle500 profile image
Pickle500 in reply toWwwdot

That is so positive to hear! I'm about to 'go Pascoe' after dedicated years of Panpharma and your note gives me hope (Although it's weekly for me these days!)

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply toPickle500

Thanks Pickle, I can only get boxes of 100 from Pascoe but the last use by date was April 2024.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

Be wary of supplementing potassium. Unless on prescription .

There are safer options.

High potassium foods.

There are loads.

Lo salt too.

I was concerned about this too.

I had regulat bloods and potassium levels stayed fine.

Did eat more potassium rich foods though.

Bellabab profile image
Bellabab

I have been using Pasco 1.5 mg. IM for several months. I find I get by fine injecting it every third day - so inject, then two days not injecting and on the next day inject again. Saves scaring and needles/syringes. I am going to see if every forth days works as urine noticeably coloured so suggests a lot is being excreted.

rogergee profile image
rogergee in reply toBellabab

Is the urine changing a colour a thing from the injections?! That hadn't occurred to me as a reason...

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply torogergee

Hi Rogergee

Yes for me urine colour is a good indicator of what I think is going on … for me anyway. When I am active I appear to use less B12 as the urine is a stronger colour for longer. But when I rest my urine is lighter in colour which suggests to me that more b12 is being used for repair - that’s not scientific it’s an interpretation that feels right to me. There is an alternative interpretation that is equally valid and that is that more toxins are being excreted when active than when resting. Whatever the real reason is I find urine colour a useful indicator and as I inject every day and can feel myself getting stronger and stronger and I feel more positive about rest days. 🤗🤗🤗

rogergee profile image
rogergee in reply toWwwdot

Thanks. That's really interesting. I've been wondering why my urine is consistently darker than before, regardless of the amount that I drink. I think I may have my answer.

tomdickharry profile image
tomdickharry in reply torogergee

It's the cobalt that colours urine. There are chemical tests but the reagents are rather nasty.

rogergee profile image
rogergee in reply totomdickharry

Thanks for that

ACritical profile image
ACritical

Just use the full amount in the ampoules. It has 1000 ug/ 1 mg Hydroxocobalamin added to the injection fluid.

In other words;

2 ml Lsg. 1 amp. bevat:Hydroxocobalamineacetaat 1 mg= Hydroxocobalamine 0,957 mg(H) Natriumchloride    (H) Natriumacetaat    (H) Azijnzuur voor pH aanpassing    (H) Water voor injecties

The Pascoe brand has less injection fluid but 1500ug/1.5mg Hydroxocobalamin to injection fluid.

B12 is the same / Hydroxocobalamin . Pascoe has 0.5mg more in the ampoules than the Hevert brand. Don’t worry, it’s a water soluble vitamin , not hard drugs you inject. Don’t start messing with keeping 0.5 mg for a later date, not hygienic!

Motheroflittle profile image
Motheroflittle

I switched up Cyano 1m to Hydroxo 1.5 . I feel better and plan to alternate weekly shots. The Cyano was prescribed and the Hydroxo is from the same source as yours. I have not experienced any issues. Since reading your post and replies, I have added a banana a day.

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