Hi all I need help with self injections and safe place to buy vitamin B12 vials from pls

[Bulb20]

hi having problems with GP and how often I get B12 injections

[wedgewood]

We get our B12 ampoules from excellent German online pharmacies .No prescription needed for B12 ampoules in Germany .

I get mine from apohealth.de You can get this site in English ( Union Jack bottom left on my device . )

The favourite ampoule is Panpharma B12 depot . ( Hydroxocobalamin, as used in the NHS)

It is a 1mg x 1ml ampoule

You can use the reference number 16199653 to find it - about €10 for a box of 10 ampoules

There are other makes. Pascoe b12 depot 1.5 mg x 1ml and Hevert b12 depot 1mg x 2ml

amazon.de sell Pascoe and Hevert “Depot”: indicates that the B12 is Hydroxocobalamin . Don’t forget to specify “DEPOT”

IMPORTANT — When filling out the address form on the pharmacies’ site, make sure that you select your country first from the drop down list. “Vereinigtes Köinigreich “ means U.K. .Only then can you enter your post code and the rest of your address . You can register which will make subsequent ordering simpler l

In the meantime you need to decide the method of injection Intra - muscular with an inch long needle into the middle outer third of your thigh . Or sub cutaneously with a very short needle into your tummy fat or thigh fat . You can buy needles , syringes sharp box from medisave.co.uk

You will need further information about injecting .

[Bulb20 in reply to wedgewood]

Thankyou for your reply I have heard of this place but had heard some bad reviews , how long have you been using their B12 vials , it’s the safety aspect I’m worried about not so much on not receiving an order or having to pay extra tax , I worry that the content of the vial may not be at all b12 , so it’s good to hear that you are using it and it is good . Do you know if many people on this forum are also happy with this company sorry if I’m being over cautious 😒

[Wheat in reply to Bulb20]

I have used as wedgewood says apohealth.de occasionally but quite ok.

Majority of time use versandapo.de or juvalis.de. Both are same group and reputable. Depends on best price for me.

Do not go over £135 total or you will incur customs charges.

I subcutaneously inject. Taught myself watching medical staff inject on youtube.

Best wishes

[Bulb20 in reply to Wheat]

Thank you for your reply 🙏🏻

[Bellabab in reply to Bulb20]

I have used Apohealth.de for quite a while and they sell all makes of B12. I avoid using Amazon for buying anything because monopolies are not helpful.

[wedgewood in reply to Bulb20]

I have never heard a bad review of apohealth . Where did you hear it ? They don’t manufacture anything . They are just a pharmacy . All German online and High Street pharmacies are controlled and licensed by the German health Ministry. Apohealth has a High Street pharmacy in Munich and has branched out into online .Ive always received my ampoules on time ( about 4 working days . ) I’ve often used versandapo.de as well , but recently they have increased the delivery charge to €17 .which I find excessive . Do not order in excess of £135 about €159 ( this includes the delivery cost) or you will have duty to pay and also Royal Mails handling charge .

Panpharma is a reputable pharmaceutical manufacturer , in Germany, French owned .

Panpharma seems to be the most popularly used B12 ampoule on this forum .

[Bulb20 in reply to wedgewood]

Hi Thankyou so much for your reply it was just scrolling on here it was mainly referring to non delivery but I’m very anxious about taking medication anyway , it’s good to know from others experience of using it .and all your info was great , I’m in a right bad place at moment I’ve been on 2 monthly injections from GP for 10 years starting at every 3 months .but due to me having a spinal operation I completely 4got my b12 so went nearly 5 months without only realised when I got symptoms back GP is refusing to give extra doses and only gave me one on 17th dec and said I have to wait my 2 months even though I’ve got numb toes pins and needles and many more symptoms back so I think I need to do loading dose again (I’m going to inject my self )then do monthly after that . should I do a b12 injection every day or every other day till symptoms go then do monthly? It’s a mine field for me not knowing what to do ,any advice would be great thankyou

[wedgewood in reply to Bulb20]

I really feel for you , Bulb20 . You need to start self injecting . I had terrible treatment from doctors when I had awful symptoms of B12 deficiency. I had blood tests which, I was told showed everything was normal . I was sent on my way , having been made to feel that I was a hypochondriac . I never asked to see those blood test results ( unfortunately) but managed to see that my blood serum B12 was well below range many years later . So , I was misled and I consider that I was lied to.

I did eventually get to see a private GP who found that I tested positive to the Intrinsic Factor Antibodies test — so had P.A. This took a long time , and as a result I am left with irreversible peripheral neuropathy in both feet which has impacted my life . This story is actually much longer , but I won’t bore you with details . I tell you this as a warning , as I don’t want you to get any horrible irreversible symptoms caused by a lack of this cheap vitamin ( I do not regard it as a “ medication “ )

Doctors now try to fob patients off with B12 tablets, when these patients can only benefit from injections . They want to avoid employing more nurses, as that cost would impact their salary.

B12 is the one vitamin/ mineral that cannot be overdosed . ( my GP told me too much could be toxic - was that through ignorance, or some other reason ?)

I’m getting carried away - I’m passionate about this subject — So I apologise . It enrages me when I think how much suffering there is because of ignorance and lack of empathy .

If you have any questions , do not hesitate to ask .

Very best wishes — You have come to the right place ! 👍💐

[Noelnoel in reply to wedgewood]

Hi wedgewood

Has there been any change recently on the availability of methylcobalamin. The last time I looked, about a year ago, all I could find was the powder kind for reconstituting with saline

[wedgewood in reply to Noelnoel]

You can obtain Methylcobalamin ampoules from the manufacturing chemists Arnika in Munich . The do not have a site for purchasing them , but you can email them or phone them to enquire about cost etc. [e-mail]

Or [phone]

Best wishes .

[Noelnoel in reply to wedgewood]

Really? That’s so helpful. Thank you

[wedgewood in reply to Noelnoel]

Yes I have bought them myself from Arnika .But for me , Methylcobalamin has no advantages over Hydroxocobalamin. But we are all different . It is worth trying out

[Noelnoel in reply to wedgewood]

Will be interesting to see

Thanks

[Bulb20 in reply to wedgewood]

Thankyou for your reply I’m sorry you have had to suffer permanent damage to your health that is exactly why I’ve been freaking out , the numb toes pins and needles memory and thoughts jumble up and more .The battle with the drs is unreal I have written a letter to one of the gp partners and he is seeing me Thursday !!and he don’t seem to be rushing ,I feel this is to tell me I don’t need B12 injections I refused to take the blood test as I told him it will be high , I’ve ordered now from Germany so will start self injections , you would have thought after a major surgery a tumour removed from my spinal canal that he would be aware that any neurological symptoms brought on by lack of b12 injections could potentially affect my spinal canal with severe consequence , they just don’t care in my opinion

[wedgewood in reply to Bulb20]

I’m so pleased that you have ordered the B12 ampoules . I will send you information on needles etc and injecting . I feel sure that once you start injecting you will start feeling better . You always have friends on this forum should you have a “ blip “ of any sort . You are no longer alone . I’m just getting up . I’ll send you more information after breakfast . Best wishes.

[wedgewood in reply to Bulb20]

How to inject Intramuscularly

First obtain needles, syringes , swabs and a yellow sharps disposal box from medisave.co.uk

You need a 26 or 27G x 1inch injection needle

A long withdrawal needle say 1 1/2 inches long.

A 2ml syringe ( I like Luer Lock syringes because the needle is screwed onto it , which makes it very stable and safe ) 2 ml is the best size even if the ampoule is 1ml .

A Pack of injection swabs if you like

Definitely a yellow bin .

An ampule snapper .

Strict hygiene must be observed.

Flick the top of the ampoule to make the contents flow into the bottom

Snap open the ampoule after finding the spot on the neck of the ampoule which indicates the breaking point .

Fix the long withdrawal needle on the syringe . Pull out the plunger, insert the needle to the bottom of the ampoule then inject air into the ampoule , then you can suck out all the contents of the ampoule, and not leave a drop behind .

Remove the withdrawal needle and replace it with the injection needle . Now expel the air that is in the syringe by pressing the plunger , till a tiny bead of red B12 appears on the end of the needle. Now you are ready to inject into the muscle in the outer middle third of your thighs where is is nearest the surface. This muscle is called the VASTUS LATERALIS . Look it up on the internet . (You could practise injecting into an orange first , not using b12 , obviously ! ) You should use both thighs alternately for each injection. Press the plunger slowly .

All done . I remember being horribly nervous the first time. It will become so easy and natural in a short time . It’s best if you have your very first injection of B12 in a medical setting as there is a very rare chance of a reaction called anaphylaxis ( like some people have to a bee sting) . It is very rare, but I feel that I must mention it.

You can inject B12 by means of a sub-cutaneous injection . This method works very well . A much shorter , finer injection needle is used( 30G x 1/2 inch or shorter ) You inject into the tummy fat or the front of the thigh. Do look this up on the internet . The absorption into the blood should be slower with sub-cut , as the fat layer is not so well endowed with blood vessels as the muscles are . Good luck .

[wedgewood in reply to Bulb20]

Injecting requirements from medisave.co.uk —

exchangesupplies.org

amazon.co.uk

For I.M. ( Intramuscular ) and Sub-cut ( subcutaneous)

2.5ml syringes ( for 1 or 2 ml ampoules )

My favourite syringe is the luer lock type. You can “screw” the needle onto the syringe , which makes it really secure .

Withdrawal needles- Coarse long needles say 19G x 1 1/2 inches or blunt withdrawal needles - 1 1/2 inches

———————————————————————— For I. M. Injections. - 26G x 1 inch needle or 25G x 1inch needle . ( injecting into the Vastus Lateralis muscle. Into the middle outer third of the thigh , where that muscle is nearest the surface )

————————————————————————

For subcutaneous injections. 30G x 1/2 inch needle into the tummy fat , or the front of the thigh .

———————————————————————

Also a yellow sharps bin and some alcohol swabs .

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[Enuffisenuf]

The problems with delivery tend to be when it gets stuck at customs I think. I had a hiccup with a delivery, which bothered me at the time, but was sorted out. I haven't heard of anyone losing money.The rule of thumb is to take what you need. Very helpful, I know!

I started on eod, then went to daily. As I was ready to try spacing the jabs out, I caught flu immediately followed by Covid! So back to daily for a few months. I'm now back to eod, occasionally every 3 days when I forget. I'm not sure if I'll ever be symptom free with longer gaps tbh.

Remember it's a vitamin not a medication.

[wedgewood in reply to Enuffisenuf]

If you have P.A. you will need B12 injections life-long .

[Enuffisenuf in reply to wedgewood]

Yes, but hopefully I may not need to SI daily or eod.

[natterjack1]

I purchase ampoules from Versandapo.Panpharma B12 depot. Have self injected since covid era began. Was once a month which was same frequency my GP surgery did for diagnosed PA.

Due to recent Peripheral Neuropathy I am now doing EOD in the hopes it may help.

Hydroxocolbalamin ampoules are inexpensive but postage to UK from Germany, is over £20. My recent order has expiry date of Jan 2027, so I would order more than 1 pack if you need to inject regularly. I ordered 5 packs so no problem with tax or customs.

Good luck.