I wrote to my GP advising the fact I had an iron infusion and hade started EOD B12 injections, etc. and asking if I could have the B12 ampoules on prescription. Needless to say I didn’t really expect them to say yes, and they didn’t surprise me!
However I am very angry that they won’t accept the fact I am deficient in B12. I am putting a copy of their reply in comments. I suppose it’s to be expected.
copy of GP reply
Try not to waste energy on being angry with them, I was the same post my treatment but it’s really not worth it. You can source supplies yourself quite easily and you’ll probably need things that aren’t prescribable on NHS prescription. You can use that energy better in getting well, as I’m sure you will. 😊
🙈 6 months down the line for me! No px for B12 ampoules not deficient etc…. All normal! Even the consultant said don’t give her any! I’ve given up asking 😟
I think I will be in the same boat. If in the uk I believe there’s ways to complain about your gp so I may go down that root.
If you can, it would be better to find a GP who supports you better. Complaining will likely damage the doctor-patient relationship and make things worse. It would also take away some of your life energy that might be better focused on getting better. You might need to do self-injections (or find someone to give them to you) like so many on this forum.
I am SI EOD already and have just ordered some B12 from Europe, but it’s the principle. I didn’t think I would get them on prescription, but hopefully by bringing it to their attention, it may make them think twice in the future when someone presents with similar symptoms. I had already upset her anyway and I am not afraid of rocking the boat! I think it needs to be done. I have just done an extensive letter to my MP, but realised because of election coming up he is not available to look into the problem. So I will save it for ‘post’ election.
I already am self injecting. Number 6 today.
Different g.p.s vary so much don't they? Before Xmas my surgery refused increasing my b12 to 8 weekly as I requested, because they were "worried it was dangerous". They also said they didn't agree I needed monitoring for folate, ferritin etc as requested by an nhs gastroenterologist. After being seen privately like you, they accepted the requests for more blood tests and now do my injections every 2 weeks as recommended. They initially prescribed the b12 for me to self inject but the nurse later suggested they would do my injections there if I preferred that. There's also the fact that different g.p.s at the same practice respond differently. Before seeing the private specialist a different g.p. at my practice agreed to the 8 weekly b12 that 2 others had refused.
I think the more we all pester our GPs, even though we know we won’t get anywhere, it raises the profile of B12 deficiency and gets them to one day maybe start to question if there is a problem. So I say, keep the momentum going we will wear them down in the end.
I have battled to get B12 on prescription. When I walked out of the pharmacy with 55 vials, I felt like cheering! I had to complain to a professional level and will be complaining about their response to my complaint too. If I have the energy, I'll escalate it above the surgery. I agree, if it just makes the GPs at my surgery think twice about prescribing oral B12 with no further investigations when the next patient comes to them with the same issues as me, then I would like to think it's worth it. I have found one GP who is genuinely interested to see the changes in my symptoms from EOD injections. And I do keep reminding the practice that they don't follow guidelines (as they state they don't need to improve their knowledge) such as adding B12 to my blood tests in July which I've told them to remove, quoting the reasons from the PAS website 😜
Unhelpful GP
GP appointment update
doctors reply
Please help me explain to my GP
