An SI Newbie

[SlothMode]

Hiya everyone,

I'm in dire need of some help and encouragement 🤗 to begin self injecting. My Doctor turned around a week ago and told me my b12 was now normal (after liver blood test) and I no longer needed my nhs 12 weekly injections as I am borderline. I hate that word as you can't be in the middle you either have a condition or u don't! Anyway would anyone out there be kind enough to help me get set up with the right B12, where to buy it and which size needles I need and where I get my partner to inject. I am scared 😨like I bet you all were so some encouragement would be so welcomed right now.

Thanks

[wedgewood]

Welcome to this marvellous forum SlothMode.

Here is some information for you .

The following reliable German online Pharmacies (all registered with the German Health Authorities ) will deliver VitaminB12 Depot ( Hydroxocobalamin)single use ampoules to the U.K.

vesandapo.de( in Leipzig) Site is in German . Use Google Chrome for translation . This is usually the best value pharmacy. U.K. is “Vereinigtes Königreich”

Courier cost €9.99

apohealth.de ( in Munich) Site available in English . (Union flag , bottom left on my device .)

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 , New Zealand and USA . Drop-down country list is in German and U.K. is called

“Vereinigtes Königreich Großbritannien und Nordirl”

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 out with Deutschland / Germany .You must first change that to your own country by using the drop-down list to — U.K., 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 to the U.K. You can’t use the Pharmaceutical reference numbers to order from amazon.de . You must use the brand names .

The following brands are usually available.

PANPHARMA ( formerly Rotexmedica)

1mg x 1 ml ampoules b12 DEPOT ( Hydrocobalamin)

Packet of 10

Pharmaceutical reference number 16199653

Most popular ampoule . Good value , but often out of stock .

PASCOE b12 DEPOT packet of 10 —1.5mg x 1ml ampoules

Reference no. 07568672

Packets of 10 x 10 ( 100 ampoules ) Reference no.07568695

The Pascoe are much cheaper per packet if you buy the offer of 10 packets . If you inject weekly or more frequently, you will be covered . Otherwise , some ampoules may become out of date .

HEVERT B12 DEPOT 1mg x 2ml ampoules 1 packet of 10 reference no. 06078368

HEVERT B12 DEPOT 1mg x 2ml 10 packets (100 ampoules ) Reference no. 06078380

Use the Pharmaceutical Reference numbers to order from the pharmacies, it’s easier , but not if buying from amazon.de

The above brands also produce Cynocobalamin B12 single use ampoules. They are cheaper than Hydroxocobalamin., but reputed not to stay in the system as long. Fine to use as long as the patient does not suffer from the rare eye-condition called LEBERS. Cynocobalamin is widely used in the USA I do not have the Pharmaceutical reference numbers for the Cynocobalamin ampoules.. Cynocobalamin is referred to as vitamin B12. Hydroxocobalamin is referred to as vitamin B12 depot.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING .

Now that the U.K. has left the EU , there is a limit to the value of goods that we can order before tax is due .Tax is applicable if the value exceeds £135.00 ( roughly €158.00) Value does include delivery cost . On top of that , Royal Mail charges £8.00 for handling

I’m not sure how much the tax is , so please look it up .A member was quite shocked at what she had to pay when she exceeded the limit . YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

With best wishes .

Needles , syringes, swabs and sharps bin can be obtained from medisave.co.uk

guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/heal...

[SlothMode in reply to wedgewood]

Hiya Wedgewood,

Thanks so much for all this useful information about purchasing b12. 😊🤗

[Nackapan]

Remember you can inject subcutaneously or IM.

I've had both for over 3 yrsrs now .

Sc are just as effective .

May be less daunting.

I use a 30G needle to inject.

27-30G suitable.

A 2 ml syringe and a 21G needle to draw the b12 from the ampoule.

Single use ampoules are the safest.

The NHS use hydroxcobalamin so you ate used to that .

Meanwhile challenge your G.p surgery by writing .

Once on injections Testing not necessary.

Look at the new NICE guidelines.

Ask for you b12 injections to be reinstated

This will be put on your medical record .

[SlothMode in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks Nackapan,

I will send a letter to my surgery challenging their decision. I don't get why they are being stopped. I did send in a dated diary of my symptoms which start up on week 8 between injections. I get the normal symptoms but I also start stuttering and struggling to string a sentence together. I also black out and suffer bad falls. It makes me angry that they can cure all this but choose to let us suffer. Rant over 🤭

🤗😊

[Hockey_player in reply to SlothMode]

Even if they restart, self-injecting in addition is a way to give you control over how often you get injections. It would be best to get them often enough to avoid the crash in between. Maybe every 4 weeks?

[Orchard33]

Sub-cutaneous is how I do it. Short, fine needles, no pain if done slowly. Look up injection sites on YouTube and for SC instructions. Great sense if achievement and empowerment when you do it. You'll never look back. It's an initiation.

[SlothMode in reply to Orchard33]

Hiya Orchard,

Thank you so much for the encouragement I hate needles so needed a courage boost. Could I ask which size needles you use? 🤗😊

[Myoldcat]

I also inject subcutaneously and find it much more comfortable than intramuscular. Also easy to do at 45° angle into the abdomen. I was told to inject anywhere around the clock face with your belly button as the centre of the clock!

[SlothMode in reply to Myoldcat]

Hiya Myoldcat,

Thanks for the advice and information. The injecting description made me chuckle. I am thinking of injecting into the stomach too. I also have spinal nerve damage and fibro so my leg would be too painful. 🤗😊

[Myoldcat in reply to SlothMode]

Most of us have a little padding on the abdominal area so it's easier. I also have numbness from previous surgery so sometimes find a completely sensation-free spot! Who knew that would be a bonus..?😄

[SlothMode in reply to Myoldcat]

Lol I have some extra padding there too 🤭 Hmm... maybe I can use numbing cream too that would make me feel a lot better. 😊

[Myoldcat in reply to SlothMode]

That's a very good idea!

[Nackapan in reply to SlothMode]

Use info I posted before about needle size.2" away from belly button advised.

You could numb with ice?

It is such s fine needle it really is okay.

Make sure site is dry before inserting the needle

[Myoldcat]

Here's a copy of my first order from Medisave, for subcutaneous injection.

Order for medical supplies

[GalDriver]

Others, here, will give you the advice you want, I just want to say good luck. For me B12 SI is a game-changer. I was feeling defeated and oh so exhausted before it. Mo-jo? Hah, that'd long gone but it's back now. Enjoy. x

[SlothMode in reply to GalDriver]

Hiya GalDriver,

Thanks for your encouragement I really appreciate it. I'm glad that you're feeling much better. I'm hoping that more regular injections will take away a lot of my neurological symptoms and if it can help my fibromyalgia in any way, I will be so grateful. 🤗😊

[GalDriver in reply to SlothMode]

I have secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and it certainly helps my neurological problems. It's no "cure all" but it helps me, massively. x

[SlothMode in reply to GalDriver]

Ur reply made me cry then! 🥲 I never tell others what I battle daily. You've given me hope thank you 🙏 Hold On Pain Ends 🤗

[GalDriver in reply to SlothMode]

Sending an enormous hug! HUGGGGGGGGLE 💟🤗

[SlothMode in reply to GalDriver]

Awww thanks gentle hugs back 🤗😊

[debra_bill]

I have SI'd for 7 months. I use the distraction technique, where you scratch away from the injection site while injecting. I still hesitate a bit before I start, but I don't really know why. The needle itself is painless. When pressing the plunger I often feel nothing, and very occasionally it's a bit uncomfortable.

Warm the B12 a bit, if it goes in cold you can feel it.

As with a lot of things the idea of it is far worse than the reality.

[SlothMode in reply to debra_bill]

Hiya debra_bill,

Thanks for those great tips. 😊🤗

[Orchard33]

I use a yellow SC 30Gx1/2 inch injecting needle and a red BD blunt fill needle 18Gx 1 1/2 inch to draw up. It makes drawing up much easier. Make sure to get all the air out before injecting. If you have a medic friend ask them to supervise the first time, although youtube is very good. Plus syringes and swabs from Medisave.

[SlothMode in reply to Orchard33]

Thanks Orchard. Nate is off work next month and my injection is due 10th May so we will go for it then 👍🤗

[ClaireWF1346]

Just to say that I'm also going to start self injecting soon and I hope we can both get to grips with it! I have ordered the same as Myoldcat, as advised by a specialist. I'm relying on the excess belly fat I've been storing up for exactly this purpose 😝

[SlothMode in reply to ClaireWF1346]

Hiya Claire,

I want to wish you all the best for your first SI. I have also the same as Myoldcat too and the ampoules from Amazon.de. May 10th is my day I will start injecting. I just want to get the first one over with. I have set up my sharps box collection service with my local council so I am almost ready to go. I just need to ask a question about the drawing up needle. Good luck we can both do this 🙏😊🤗

[ClaireWF1346 in reply to SlothMode]

Got it and will reply to you shortly on msg!

[pinkpaddleboarder]

guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/heal...

[SlothMode in reply to pinkpaddleboarder]

Hiya pinkpaddleboarder,

Thanks for that handy injecting information. That answered my question I was wondering about how easy it was to swap the drawing needle to the injecting one 😊🤗

[pinkpaddleboarder in reply to SlothMode]

I use an empty syringe to break the top of the ampule, too scared to do it with bare hands. also the needles we use are different to the ones in the picture, but I do just slip one off the syringe and pop the other one, keeping the cover on until I need to use it

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I'm sorry to read that your B12 injections have been stopped.

I can't help with SI info but thought these links might be useful.

NICE published a new B12 deficiency guideline on March 6th 2024.

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239

Blog post about being symptomatic for B12 deficiency with normal range serum B12.

b12info.com/your-serum-b12-...

Unhappy with treatment?

Letters to GP about B12 deficiency

b12info.com/writing-to-your...

Thread about Patient Safety, has links that may help those having difficult health experiences with B12 deficiency

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

[SlothMode in reply to Sleepybunny]

Hiya Sleepybunny

Thanks you for the links they will really help. Sorry for the delay I've been in corpsemode. A few energy drinks have helped 🤭 😊🤗

[Stepp]

Hiya,

Just wanted to say ive been there done that!! On my previous pregnancy notes it said all over in big that im needlephobic and now iv been SI for over a year. The first time I needed a load of courage but it definitely gets easier! Best of luck!!

[SlothMode in reply to Stepp]

Hiya Stepp,

Thanks for the encouragement. It has really helped especially as u were needlephobic! 🤗😊