where to get b12 injections to self a... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

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where to get b12 injections to self administer?

Popcornlover1 profile image
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hello, I am an American living in the UK. I was previously being treated in the USA for my pernicious anemia with once monthly, self injections. In the UK I have been met with absolute apathy and disregard for my condition. I am genuinely just tired of fighting for my care, and don’t have the strength left to continue to fight these doctors who clearly do not care. Is there a reputable place, which is also affordable to buy the 1000mg of b12 to self inject?

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Popcornlover1
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Popcornlover1 profile image
Popcornlover1

sorry 1MG

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to Popcornlover1

I’m really sorry to hear about your bad experience. I’m afraid that’s common for the U.K. . We get our single use ampoules from excellent German online pharmacies

. It’s really shocking that doctors here treat Pernicious Anaemia / B12 deficient patients like this

. You could try local beauty parlours and hairdressers nearby for a b12 injection unti you have all that you need to self inject . They often do it . Ask google where they are near you .

In U.K. Hydroxocobalamin is the type of B12 used In the USA Cynocobalamin is used mostly .

You can get both sorts from The German online pharmacies . B 12 Hydroxocobalamin is called vitamin B12 DEPOT and is supposed to stay in the system longer than Cynocobalamin , which is simply called vitamin B12 . Im away fro home at the moment . , but I will send you an information sheet on how to get the ampoules .

You can inject either Intramuscularly ( I.M. ) into the side of the thigh ( Vastus Lateralis muscle ) or subcutaneously ( sub-cut) into tummy fat or the front of the thigh .

Needles , syringes swabs and sharps boxes can be obtained from a medical supply company in U.K. The one I use is called

medisave.co.uk

amazon.co.uk. also supply needles and syringes

So expect the information sheet shortly Self-injections are really cheap . About £2.00 all included ! Life saving ! Very best wishes

Phyloreardon profile image
Phyloreardon in reply to wedgewood

I have been self injecting for a whole (thigh) and am interested on going for the sub cut method. Do you have any information on how to do this and what supplies I will need (needled etc). Many thanks

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to Popcornlover1

It will take me a few hours to send you the information . But rely on me , you will get it . I know full well what a horrible situation you are in . I’ve been there and have an irreversible symptom because of very delayed treatment .

am111 profile image
am111

You should note that cyanocobalamin is used in the US while UK and most of Europe uses hydroxocobalamin. The body can react differently to these different types, so if cyanocobalamin was working fine for you, you should continue with it. You can get it from multiple German pharmacies. I got it from:

unserekleineapotheke.de

Use google chrome with automatic language translation and search for B12 (B12 is cyanocobalamin and B12 depot is hydroxocobalamin).

Good luck!

OldmanD profile image
OldmanD in reply to am111

Cyanocobalamin is easily available in Germany and much cheaper than hydroxocobalamin.. . . I use both and see precious little difference so I'd advise if you are buying to continue with your cyanocobalamin.. . . . . . Made in Germany and marketed by a German Pharma via Amazon.de . . . . . . I received a box last week with a 2026 date amazon.de/dp/B00ELNR6BS?psc...

am111 profile image
am111 in reply to OldmanD

cyanocobalamin is absorbed much less than hydroxy. As per some studies, about 1/3rd. That is one of the differences and the reason why cyanocobalamin shot is advised every month while hydroxy every 2-3 months. Personally, hydroxy did not suit me at all, as I felt very jittery just before the next shot was due, while cyanocobalamin provided a more constant B12 to the body. Unfortunately, we have to experiment, as each person responds differently.

bookish profile image
bookish in reply to am111

Interesting, thank you. Did you get any difference in reaction to the injections themselves (if any) and do you think that your nerve healing was generally at the same rate with both (except for the late instability)?

am111 profile image
am111 in reply to bookish

Hydroxy is more powerful and I felt very hot on the day after the injection. Also, more acne. As for nerve healing, not much difference. We need to keep the B12 constantly high to get the best results, but beyond a point, it is the same. Once-a-week gave me very good healing. Also, although this phenomenon is not described any research papers, I have found that the body gets used to a certain B12 supplement level, so one feels the effect whenever the frequency/dose is reduced, hence it must be done gradually and only once one has fully recovered on a certain B12 supplementation schedule. Also, I found cyanocobalamin easier to wean away from than methyl and hydroxy.

bookish profile image
bookish in reply to am111

Really useful points, thank you for your reply. Best wishes

OldmanD profile image
OldmanD in reply to am111

Acme . . . . . I use B6 which near to stops my spots. . . . . . The B12 spots are pretty sore and very "bleedy" and as a man they would have to appear on the shaving bits of the face although not confined to. . . . .

am111 profile image
am111 in reply to OldmanD

The first time I had B12 acne, it was pretty scary as it was big and red and I had not had acne for a long time. And yes, I have had problems with shaving with these spots. I have been using a B-complex lately and have not had acne recently. Perhaps it is the B6 effect as you say !

OldmanD profile image
OldmanD in reply to am111

I had acne of a much, excuse the term pusy type all my life yet the first week of my loading jabs it said goodbye but by the end of the loading jabs this other we'll call it B12 Acne started to appear. . . . . Without the long story it disappeared again at the end of loading but so did my energy. . . . .With SI it returned to the point I was limiting my intake of SI. . . . . I knew I needed more because if I gave my self more as in every other day I'd feel a lot better but the acne would appear everywhere . . . . . . I tried everything, , , , , Creams, you name it. . . . Nothing worked but I had read the symptoms of all the B deficiencies so tried a load of oral but to no avail. . . . . . Based on the idea that if its availabke there must be a reason so I bought I think it was 6 or 10 ampoules of B6 and I've never looked back as such. . . . . I have no sound evedence, I dont think anyone has but I think that the gut may have problems absorbing various things especailly the B's. . . . Just my personal findings on the subject of these spots. . . .

OldmanD profile image
OldmanD in reply to am111

I am far from convinced by the supposed differences but everyone is different.. . . . . I honestly cannot see one bit of difference and I have both here and have been using week about or month about for some time. . . . . I would think I am going dow the Cyano route give the price difference and to date my findings on the use by dates which are often more favourable with cyano. . . . . I have of late got Hydroxo with 2 years dates which is good but I have had to use out of date hydroxo becasue of short dates. . . . . . . Like the "stinging question" there may be more than meets the eye. . . . . So far I havnt had many stingy events but so far I have figured out the causes with me personally. . . . . That is not to say I have the answers to all stinging but I have used near to every brand and type without much problem. . . . . We rely too much of supposed experts . . . . . . How many of us get stung by the trained and very experienced nurse and many doctors are actually even worse . . . . . Very few if any practitioners inject themselves or maybe ever injected themselves. . . . .. I'll bet there is a few nurses on here who could give you a jab without barely feeling it at all because they have learned on themselves not simply an orange. . . . . Some do say that Cyano suits SC better and certainly in Europe SC is accepted or advised whereas IM is the UK norm. . . . I would say that SC is a slower route that may suit Cyano better as per some reports but all research on this B12 subject is so limited as to be of little use . . . . . . As one professional, i think it was a pharmacist who she herself suffered from B12D stated and she held up what she had been given by big pharma. . . . . . All the info from Pharma on B12 fits a couple of A4 pages while the same companies can fill a file of many 100s of pages on paracetamol. . . . What I have learned from moving away from NHS land is that it is propelled much more by money than I was taught. . . . . The Gov has allowed or encouraged our NHS to start down the beholden to Pharma route .. . . So while I know that Hydroxo is advised many places it has not taken over the world . . . . . In other words I am doubtful about some of these supposed bits of research . . . . . The US is huge with countless people very happy on Cyano . . . . . . .

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to am111

The pharmacy you mention is no use to Popcornlover1 as they do not shop to U.K. where she is living . I’ve just looked it up—Strangely they do ship to Northern Ireland !! Incredible!

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood

All the brands mentioned produce Cynocobalamin, which is what you would have received in the USA . if that is what you want , just search for Vitamin B12. ( not vitamin B12 depot )I’m sorry that I haven’t got the pharmaceutical references for them .

Follow the instructions for registering carefully , putting in your country FIRST on the address form .

The following reliable German online pharmacies ( all registered with the German Health Authorities) will deliver B12 DEPOT , single use ampoules( Hydroxocobalamin) to the U.K.

versandapo.de ( in Leipzig) Site is in German .Use Google chrome for translation . This is usually the cheapest pharmacy.

Courier cost €9.99

apohealth.de( in Munich ) Site obtainable in English . Union flag , bottom left on my device. .Also deliver world wide . Courier cost- €20.00 for 10 packets . Lower cost for fewer packets .

apotheke-marienbrunn.de( in Leipzig) Use Google Chrome for translation. Also deliver to Australia and New Zealand.

juvalis.de Use Google Chrome for translation

First of all register with the pharmacy .

When filling out the address form , you will see that the country is already filled with Germany / Deutschland. You must first change that to your country by using the drop-down list , to — Grossbrittanien , UK. United Kingdom, Vereinigtes Königreich , however it is expressed. Do this so that your post-code and the rest of your address is accepted . Otherwise , you will be unable to order , and you will be tearing your hair out !

amazon.de also sell Pascoe and Hevert . But depending on the supplying pharmacy may or may not supply the U.K. You can’t use the pharmaceutical reference numbers to order. You must use the brand names .

The following brands are obtainable .

PANPHARMA ( formerly Rotexmedica )

1mg x 1ml ampoules - b12 depot (hydroxocobalomin) Pharmaceutical refefence number 16199653. This is the most popular ampoule used by members. It is good value , but quite often out of stock . You can then opt to be emailed to be told when it is back in stock.

PASCOE B12 depot

1.5mg x 1ml ampoules Packet of 10-

reference number - 075686672

1.5mg x 1ml ampoules. 10 x 10 packets — 100 ampoules reference number 07568695

The Pascoe are much cheaper per packet if you buy the offer of 10 packets . If you inject weekly or more 10 packets would cover you. But if you inject less frequently, the ampoules may become out of date .

HEVERT B12 depot 1mg x 2ml ampoules 1 packet of 10 reference number 06078368

HEVERT B12 depot 1mg x 2ml ampoules 10 packets (100 ampoules) Reference number. 06078380

Use the pharmaceutical reference numbers to order from the pharmacies . ( but not from amazon.de )

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING

Now the UK has left the EU, there is a limit to the value of goods that we are allowed to import from the EU , before tax is due. Tax is applicable if the value exceeds £135 ( roughly €158.00 ) Value does include delivery cost ! But please look everything up , because things might change . On top of that, Royal Mail charge £8.00 for processing it. .I’m not sure how much the tax is - so look it up please. A member was quite shocked at what she had to pay when she exceeded the limit . I believe that even the cost of delivery is included in the total . It was when I ordered something from the USA .

Best wishes.

Popcornlover1 profile image
Popcornlover1

thank you all so much… I am going to order, I just honestly can’t deal with the NHS any more it is so bad for my mental health to constantly have to go to them for this and them meet me with complete apathy.

Has anyone tried also the b12 patches? I was looking on Amazon and also saw there are patches that stick to the skin. Not sure if anyone’s had luck with these, as I assume it is going into the blood similarly to the injection.

Thank you all so much.

Motheroflittle profile image
Motheroflittle in reply to Popcornlover1

Hi Popcornlover1, Welcome to the forum. I use the multi vitamin patches and am happy with them. I have not bothered with the B12 patches as I have Megaloblastic anemia and must have the injections. If you have PA I suggest going with injections for life. I tried going without the shots for years just taking the tablets and I regret it. I would have less damage & symptoms to repair had I started the shots at diagnosis 20+ years ago.

I buy my Cyano B 12 vials from Amazon.de out of Germany without prescription. I purchase the Ankerman brand. I live in the south east US so I get my syringes from a US company. vitalitymedical.com/bd-syri...

BUT you can probably get them for less in the UK or Amazon over there due to shipping costs. Wedgewood has the links you need.

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to Popcornlover1

I tried patches for weeks before I found out about how to get b12 ampoules . I found them totally useless. A scientist on this forum said that the B12 molecule was too large to be absorbed through the skin . For me injections are the only thing that helps ..

Technoid profile image
Technoid in reply to Popcornlover1

The patches would have no benefit beyond placebo. In specialized experiments, it is possible to get B12 absorption through the skin but attaching electrodes and special preparation of the skin is required, among other things. This unusual experiment is described here : scitechnol.com/peer-review/...

There is also emerging technology for nanofibre delivery but this has not been commercialized yet to my knowledge.

ref : pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/366...

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