Advice please - Where do you learn to self inject?

[debra_bill]

I'm hypothyroid, self sourcing T3 since the NHS took it off me, and now it seems my B12 'is a bit low.' That was the receptionists considered opinion anyway. My doctor has asked NO questions about symptoms, there are a few that could be thyroid or B12. I assumed thyroid as they have been messing my meds about for the last 3 years.

No advice was offered on what I could do to raise my B12. She just arranged another test, so we could see that miraculous cure everyone experiences after doing absolutely nothing!

A bit of investigation has convinced me the restless feet and painful, tingly toes are more than likely B12, not just age related or arthritis, but my doctor didn't even know I had them, as she was too busy attributing everything to the T3 I've happily taken for over 20 years & taking my T4 off me as a result.

So, I started taking an otc B complex & eating lots of cornflakes. Test 2 = 130, and test 3 = 182. Da da! No problem! Cured.

Everything was 'going in the right direction,' so no need to do anything else. Again the receptionist's professional opinion.

I have now changed my GP, so no access to medical records at the mo. As soon as I get everything in place I will check previous results to see how long my B12 was falling for, to try & see a pattern, and get the ranges used, but while I wait...............

I've had 3 privately sourced injections, with some success (restless feet all but gone away, ) but after reading, reading, reading I don't think that I'm going to get very far at a month apart.

I want to folllow the recognised protocol of having a loading dose, but this isn't realistic using beauty clinics, so I need to learn how to self inject.

[Nackapan]

Push for Gp to recognise b1e injections may be the way.Have you had any benefit from oral b12 high dose?

Sometimes a high dose orsl b1e works if not PA or an absorbtion problem.

If all else fails I would Tey subcutaneous b12 injections .

Less to learn.

I've been on them 3 years now with good effect.

I do get a prescription snd IM one 6 weekly presently by the practice nurse .

Go by symptoms .

Ask GP for s 'trial 'of b12 injections.

Offer to self inject.

May teach you then. ?

I didn't get taught as sc of licence and although prescribed nurse wouldn't show me .

There are plenty of posts on this if needed.

Ignore receptionist.

Write to Gp?

They should not be commenting on clinical matters !!!

[debra_bill in reply to Nackapan]

I voted with my feet, and changed GP. Any comment question was taken as 'abuse' of staff, which says more about the receptionist in question than my manner. I am putting in an official complaint.

I'm hoping for better things with my new GP, but I really can't be bothered begging for teatment any more. In my initial conversation with the pharmacist, she was interested in all my symptoms & what I'm doing, and immediatly spoke to the GP. Initial bloods next week, followed by a consultation.

The oral B12 increased my levels but had no effect on symptoms, so may be the way for maintenance but not repair.

I've ordered some ampoules, so will gather as much info from this site as I can while I wait for them to arrive.

Thanks for replying, it's helpful to know others have managed without training.

[jade_s]

Hi debra_bill, many of us have learned from youtube to be honest 😂 A few have been lucky and learned from GPs/nurses with their blessing. A pharmacist taught one of my relatives.

I have also sent you a Chat message.

[debra_bill in reply to jade_s]

Thanks. I never thought of youtube!

[Wheat]

hello, debra_bill, sorry for the 'problems' you're having getting treatment.

I too looked at many youtube videos on how to self inject.

Subcutaneous in the tummy is easier for me. Sarah myhill gives a good written account . salesatdrmyhill.co.uk/b12--...

Best wishes.

[wedgewood in reply to Wheat]

I cannot understand why Dr Myhill describes injecting into “ the muscle of the leg between the knee and the hip” , when she is describing a sub-cutaneous injection, which goes into the fatty layer of the skin , not the muscle. That does not make sense . I don’t approve of the multi- dose vial of Hydroxocobalamin that she sells . As we know , single use ampoules are safest . But I suppose that it is a life-saver for people who find it too difficult to order the safer single- use ampoules from German online Pharmacies .

[debra_bill in reply to wedgewood]

I've gone for the single use ampoules, thanks

[debra_bill in reply to Wheat]

Thank you, I'm not sure about my tummy, for some reason that's more scary than my thigh, but I'll take a look.

[Nackapan in reply to debra_bill]

Yes I found that.Started with outef thigh .

Then when confident injected a roll of fat side of stomach at least 2 " away from. Belly button.

A more ditsect route alternate now.

[debra_bill in reply to Nackapan]

thanks

[Thrones12]

youtu.be/eXR1G7_Rqj4?si=2_L...(Not working as expected?)

Hope this helps I’m not very good at this xx

[debra_bill in reply to Thrones12]

I'll take a look thanks

[Maisal11]

I learnt by watching YouTube videos of drs and other medical professionals self injecting.. you could try subcut first to get confidence up, a small 5/8 inch needle into belly fat, make sure it’s at least two inches away from your belly button..

there are also cofactors to take alongside injections.. 5mg folic acid daily if doing every other day injections, b complex with no more than 10mg of b6, magnesium malate or glycinate and the recommended daily allowance from food of potassium..

Ensure your iron levels are good too as treating a b12 deficiency draws on iron in the early days..

Check your vitamin d level is good too as it seems common to also have low vitamin d alongside b12 deficiency and thyroid problems

[debra_bill in reply to Maisal11]

Thanks. I take vit D & B complex, B6 content is 6mg, it contains folic acid & I eat lots of beans, lentils etc so think I'm good on folate?

I probably do need to add iron, as we mostly avoid iron rich foods for my partner who has haemochramotosis.

I can't wait to get back on the bananas which I dropped due to the sugar content and my increasing belly fat, which I think would need a much longer needle than suggested.

I'll be shopping for the magnesium & iron today.

[Nackapan in reply to debra_bill]

You won't need a longer needle for sc as only going into the fatty tissue.Sometimes a longer needle needed to reach the muscle for IM

Another reason nurses use upper arm for IM

[debra_bill in reply to Nackapan]

Sorry I was joking about the needle, I forget that things don't read how they're written! I should have added a smiley face!

[Nackapan in reply to debra_bill]

Oh okay .Thanks for telling me i missed the humour.

Some do think that .

Taking into account we csnt think clearly when ill

[Libuse]

I was in the same position as you Debra but in reverse. B12 deficiency identified, 6 loading doses and 3 monthly injections- woefully inadequate. I joined the Pernicious Anaemia Health Unlocked Society and now happy self inject whenever I feel the need. It’s a brilliant group and you don’t have to have PA to join. I am now a member of this group as a result of hypothyroidism being discovered which may have resulted in lack of B12 in first place. Hope this helps. Message me if you like.

[debra_bill in reply to Libuse]

Thanks. Not sure if it's autoimune or if it's just diet. I've never been a big meat eater, and since my partner's haemachromotosis diagnosis we eat even less. Once I get access to all my blood test results I'll see if I can spot a pattern

[am111]

b12 182 is still very low. Monthly injections will work very slowly. Try weekly for a month followed by gradually lesser frequency OR when/if you feel the need. Monthly injections or orals are for maintenance.

[debra_bill in reply to am111]

Yes agreed. I'm keen to get started, thanks

[Delilahmy]

I agree that you following the b12 is helpful. I have been self injecting b12 since March 22 and have found a significant benefit. My daughter is also following the b12 protocol and her improvement is remarkable. I will be posting to the B12 forum re her progress. Self injecting - you can find YouTube advice. If you are already supplementing with b12 this will give you an elevated b12 result. It will be interesting to see your results. Good luck Debra-bill

[debra_bill in reply to Delilahmy]

They're not going to do my B12 levels this time, just thyroid. Once I feel that no more progress is being made on symptoms, I'll stop the B12 so they can get a better reading.

My mum (B12 level 182 with serious sysmtoms) will be joining me, once I get to grips with self injection, I'll help her. She has had 1 injection so far & is taking a B Complex. Maybe one of those auto injectors would be useful.

Thanks

[Hockey_player in reply to debra_bill]

If it is obvious that B12 immproves your symptoms, why stop?

[Delilahmy]

I’m Stafford are you local to area? The reason I ask is I’m a retired nurse …

[debra_bill in reply to Delilahmy]

Not really I'm in Northwich, Cheshire, but I really appreciate the thought. Thank you

[shaws]

Do you have Pernicious Anaemia? I have this condition and my mother also had P.A. but her GP told her that she didn't need any more injections as her blood test was fine.

The decision by the doctor caused my mother to develop cancer in stomach which caused her demise.

My GP has stated that I can have as many P.A. injections I think I need, so am having a monthly injection instead of quarterly B12 injection.

[debra_bill in reply to shaws]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that, they play god don't they! I'm fed up of bl**dy numbers being more important than symptoms. Saying that, my mum has bad numbers and bad symptoms and still doesn't warrant a cheap injection. Why don't they just admit they're not experts and let you speak to someone who is!

I have no idea what the cause is yet and I'm not sure how long it took to get here, so need my test history. Once I'm stable, I'll request a test and l'll monitor how I feel against bloods. Any decline in blood or how I feel & I'll inject again.

My symptoms are not too bad compared to what a lot of people struggle with, and I'm not sure which is thyroid & which B12, tbh. I won't let it slide again

[Hockey_player]

A family doctoe taught my husband how to inject B12 into my arm. It's very convenient to have him do it instead of having to see my doctor. I live in BC, Canada and the B12 is not expensive here and a prescripton is not required. It's about $1.30 Canadian dollars per dose.

[debra_bill in reply to Hockey_player]

My partner has offered, so that'll give me 2 more sites that I can alternate.