Hello all! I don’t know if anyone will remember me as it’s been a few years since I last posted. I’ll try to keep my update brief (and positive) as it’s not regarding myself that I’m drawn back to this forum, although I may well start posting more about myself once I’m back into the swing of it! I expect my previous posts can be tracked down if anyone wants to.
Things have changed loads since I last posted, for the most part I’m like a different woman now! My GP still prescribes 1 injection a month as he knows it generally keeps me off his back, although I actually SI twice a week and the monthly prescription as far as I’m concerned is just to keep my need for more frequent than 3 monthly B12 on record.
My MH is better, lots of my symptoms have gone, I’ve held down a very physical job for the last 2+ years, my mental function has improved enough that I’ve completed 10+ home learning courses alongside my job and my balance even improved enough that I was able to start cycling!
So that’s enough about me, and onto the reason I’ve been drawn back to the forum…
My 14 year old daughter has just been diagnosed low iron and B12 (110, mine was 107). I suspected it was coming because I’ve seen some potential symptoms creeping in but I haven’t noticed any neuro symptoms thankfully.
She’s lucky she’s got a mum with knowledge (deeper than most GPs 😂) of this subject who can make sure she gets treated appropriately and doesn’t end up getting as poorly as I was/felt.
So, here we go again! But folks, I have a stumbling block.
My daughter is terrified of needles!
Wish me luck 😂
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Ms_J
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I can suggest one thing . I have been self-injecting since 2014 , using the I.M . method ( 1 inch needle) which is the one used in U.K. . i have now changed to sub-cut ( using 6 mm needle ) I cannot manage with the needle that is attached to the 1ml syringe . Can’t get all the B12 out of the ampoule
I have found a 6 mm needle on Amazon . I use that after I have withdrawn the b12 with a 1 1/2 needle . This sub -cut method works perfectly . That needle is so short , that it will not intimidate your daughter like a long one . I read on this forum that other members use this method too , with success .
On the packets of ampoules that I get from Germany , I see that sub- cut is listed as a possible method , apart from I M.
6mm is 1/4 of an inch . Sub-cut into the fat layer means that it takes longer for the B12 to get into the blood stream , because the fat layer doesn’t have such a good supply of blood vessels as the muscle .
Why I.M. only is used here in U.K. i don’t know . But it is obviously used in Germany as well as I.M., and the Germans aren’t absolute dunces when it comes to matters medical . I dare say that loading doses will not work as quickly using sub -cut . and therefore take longer to take effect But once fully loaded , sub-cut is perfect .
Also , the whole of the front of the thighs can be used for injecting , which is a good thing when using sub-cut Tummy fat can be used as well, but i only use thighs . I honestly didn’t think it could possibly work , because i didn’t feel as though I’d given myself an injection, using such a short needle . !!!
So it’s not like having a normal I.M. injection . That might be a help for your daughter . I know that sub-cut works . I have Pernicious Anaemia, diagnosed with a positive Intrinsic Factor Antibody test . Also have Vitiligo on my lower legs and R.A. I’m a P.A. trooper !
That’s the way I do my injections. It works! No more bruising either. In my thighs , they are mostly muscle tissue, hardly any fat there. I used to also use my tummy, but I stopped that for no reason really. My original prescription is for 1 every month , after I moved my new GP( very condescending) decided 1 every 3 month. I was too tired to pick a fight. I just manage myself. Sometimes need more depending on activity levels and after sickness ,COVID, twice .
I inject once a week . One finds out by trial and error how much B12 is required to keep symptoms at bay .
You need to be asking the WEIGHT of B12 used for a standard dose . It is 1 mg ( stands for 1 milligram) - The amount of saline it is put into is not so important .
I use Panpharma B12 depot ampoules 1mg x 1ml . That’s 1mg of B12 dissolved in 1ml of saline This a a popular brand .
Pascoe B12 depot ampoules are 1.5 mg of B12 depot dissolved in 1ml of saline .So that dose of B12 is 50% stronger than the Panpharma
Hevert B12 depot ampoules are 1mg of B12 dissolved in 2ml of saline . So they have the same dosage of B12 as Panpharma , but in 100% more saline . That is a 1mg of B12 , but in double the amount of saline .
I prefer to inject 1ml ampoule as I inject sub-cutaneously .
Thanks for your reply wedgewood . After further probing, it’s the actual needle and possibility of blood that causes her fear. She can’t even be in the same room as me when I do my injections.
Have you read GoneWithTheWind1972 post about a needleless injection ? I’ve been online to injectneedlefree.com Read all about it . For a subcutaneous “ injection” the device costs $399.00 Australian dollars ( £207.00) Worth looking into .
We had a similar issue- they struggled with the injecting at first but Elma cream helped with this, plus using thighs at first (now use stomach) also them eventually making the connection that they felt soooo much better when they’ve had a jab meant they were fully engaged with it
Also you could try the auto injector- we haven’t used one but others report success with it
Thanks for your reply @loupharm. I will definitely suggest the Emla cream. An auto injector could be a possibility, then the needle would be less visible.
I hate needles too but my husband has gotten really good at giving me my injections. If you your other choice is being totally exhausted and nerve damage to your toes, it is a fear worth getting over.
Thanks for the link Mixteca , I don’t know if I’ll be able to get her to watch it though as she can’t even be in the same room as me when I do my injections.
It seems even just the thought of the needle brings her out in a cold sweat, I’m going to have to work of desensitising her because I can’t sit back and watch her get more and more unwell.
I also haven’t posted for a long time but, I read everything posted on this forum. I’m currently in a much better place health wise, I still inject myself daily and I have had major reversal of all my neurological issues which I put to this forum and my persistence in understanding my PA, which required going against the medical profession. In my continuous research I discovered a website and a product that will revolutionise the need for needles. It’s based and manufactured in Melbourne Australia, and suits all who hate using needles of any age and for those that bruise easily with injections. The product is called Comfor-In (trademark) website: needlefree.com. It uses pressurised air to inject the product into the skin rather than piercing it. It’s a game changer for all who hate needles 💉 whatever it’s for, vaccines or B12 options are endless. I’m hoping anyone who doesn’t like needles to check this product out, they export around the world but, the only downside is it’s a pricey product to initially purchase $399 AU. Maybe inquiries can be made to the company for advice.
I thoroughly appreciate reading all posts on this forum and thank everyone for helping me out during my very dark days I had with all my neurological issues and all my other symptoms when mainstream medicine completely failed me. I sincerely wish you all the best with your health journeys.🙏🥰
it sounds like great idea . Yes $399.00 Australian dollars might sound a lot ( about £207.00. ) but it’s worth it for your health . Thank you for that valuable piece of information. GoneWithTheWind1972 .
I hope your daughter is getting adequate treatment for B12 deficiency from her GP and that the GP surgery has found a way to help her with her needle phobia.
This BNFC (British National Formulary for children) link outlines treatment patterns for children with B12 deficiency. I would expect GP surgery to be following a similar pattern of treatment.
I think it's helpful for parents of children with B12 deficiency to seek support from PAS.
There have been cases of parents being diagnosed with a serious mental health condition for treating their children against medical advice and of children being taken into care.
Martyn Hooper is the former chair of PAS and wrote these blog posts about parents of children with PA/B12 deficiency.
Hi Sleepybunny , the GP has offered no suggestions on how to deal with the needle phobia, he gave her the choice of injections or oral treatment and she opted for the tablets. I wasn’t happy about it, knowing what I do from my own journey, but I have to say that *maybe* she did make the right choice because, so far at least, she seems to have improved and feels better than she did before starting treatment. The deficiency being dietary isn’t an impossibility as unfortunately she has suffered from some disordered eating. She’s due another blood test when she’s finished the tablets.
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