Is It Possible To Obtain B12 Jabs Privately?

[dunnitall]

For my OH because has all the bad symptoms especially neurological ones and in low range results. Dr's will not give injections in fact won't diagnose deficiency because of it! I just wondered if we could pay for them from somewhere....without this diagnosis....things are getting worse re symptoms I am so worried. Ironically and cruelly I feel...I am just low of the range, symptoms not as bad and they've put me on the injections!

[woofgang]

are you with the same doctor? has your husband asked why he can't get injections if he has low B12 levels?

[dunnitall]

Hi Woof....yes same GP and they say won't give them because his results normal!! Yes just normal we argue...but still he won't give nor a diagnosis of why he has all symptoms AND low platelet count going on for years! We are fighting it, complained to who we should but no help forthcoming. Reading up on bad effects this deficiency causes ...even fatal if so bad.....it's a constant battle to get some help but I now don't know which way to turn.

[rowanwitch]

Might not be low B12 especially if the results are in normal range , ask for a referral to a haematologist if you haven't seen one already. Not prepared to guess what is going on but low platelets makes me think that would be your next step.

[jno]

(a) don't panic over stuff you read on the internet.
(b) injections may not be best for what your husband's got, but
(c) he needs a disagnosis of some sort. If your GP can't provide one he should at least refer you to someone who can, and that's what I'd be asking for. If you GP won't do that - which is his job - get another GP.

[bednobs]

did your oh have the consultant appt yet?

[Sqad]

Just having a low B12 blood level is not a good enough reason for diagnosing Pernicious anaemia or the need for B12 injections.
Many patients like your other half, have the same blood results but a normal blood picture.
Should these patients be given B12 injections? I think not.
You mention neurological symptoms.....if this is true then it is a worry BUT.....ask to see an consultant Haematologist privately.

[Sqad]

I've been thinkin.
https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-vitamin-b12-tablets-500ug-60001370?skuid=001370&&;utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn-bWBRDGARIsAPS1svuLu6FM_tj881MB_USmHEA-NLJWftinJA6RFFehH0uIePJlfDC2oyAaAgqBEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Go on...take the bull between the horns

[dunnitall]

Over 11 or more years he has had symptoms with low platelets. Drs nor any consultant have diagnosed ANYTHING. he's continual ultra sound tests, CT scans, x-rays, blood tests OVER THE YEARS ...all is normal. His last B 12 in Feb was 178, prior to that 150 and the normal range is 145 to 941 huge range. Even on the NICE and NHS guidelines it says if presents with neuro symptoms then urgent attention is needed seek advice from haematologist as symptoms may be irreversible if left untreated. This hasn't been done until we pleaded with GP after last result to send him to see one! It's not till June even GP shocked at that!

My OH is going downhill fast....he can't keep his balance ..that has only come on in last year and got worse. He has falls, he has bad tremor, he is a little confused too, has headaches, memory loss plus other symptoms all as listed on NHS SITE and neuro stuff getting much worse.

Dr said he couldn't give injections because he would be struck off GMC register!! Even CCG people I wrote to said they couldn't comment on that!! The nurse practitioner at the surgery who saw him in Feb said she would give him jabs as she agreed it was on low side of normal but couldn't because she wasn't allowed to prescribe.,!

I have in the past 11 years put forward LOTS of conditions it could be or tablets....all dismissed as normal not any of those. Nothing diagnosed by ANYONE so I researched it after he had homocysteine test which was high end normal...consultant would do nothing because he wasn't confident about it...what?!....so I researched loads...found everything matched with B 12 deficiency....

Have now have put him on spray B12 from H and B which will up his B12 readings.... he does feel a little better in himself but symptoms not helped whatsoever.

Sorry for lengthy post but you have comprehensive info of all that's happened. Thank you all so much for your comments....I jus feel like I'm up against a brick wall. Sigh....

[Sqad]

That is a very full and comprehensive history of your OH's medical management for which i thank you.
A few facts.
Your OH hasn't got Pernicious Anaemia.
Your OH may or may not be B12 deficient.........I think not.
Your OH's neurological symptoms may have nothing to do with B12 and would be dangerous to assume this.

I watch his case with interest.

[dunnitall]

Thanks sqad for your interest. Whether dangerous to assume neuro symptoms or not....there have been no other suggestions from the professionals to this date from 2007. I am the only person who has found what may be the cause and deterioration... So what can I do. I go with what I read on NHS. Site... Deffo hasn't got P.A I established that with his Hg from results. With the homocysteine tests it was daughter who asked docs for it they wouldn't have done it otherwise and no one told us it was fasting test so bloods taken three times last year and no results given. Fourth time lucky because I found out it was fasting test grrr!

Latest raft of bloods taken a week or so ago ordered by Haematologist before OH sees him, we weren't told that Homo test being done so no fasting, THEN just yesterday we were informed phlebotomy at hospital used all wrong phials so now another wait as he has to have repeated Monday.

Catalogue of incompetence? We certainly say so and am thinking it will still go on. Beam me up Scotty!

[Sqad]

I see you predicament (sorry i was a little slow)......I agree if i was your GP why not try Injections of B12....they can't do any harm.

BUT, don't assume that his neurological problems are anything to do with his B12 levels.

[dunnitall]

Sqad...My surgery nurse who gives me my vit D and B12 jabs said NHS and NICE are ONLY guidelines.... Said they should be trialling him on it to see if it helps! Actually that's what is suggested on the guidelines ..forgot to say..... Jab every other day until improvement... I've told the drs and consultants this but they won't even try FGS.

[Sqad]

You can lead a horse to water.....but you can't make it drink. ;-)

[woofgang]

It is possible to buy injectable B12 and self inject....if you google search there are forums who will recommend suppliers....I am not advising or suggesting that you do this.....just saying.....

[dunnitall]

Sqad... how right you are lol. One thing has really teed me off over all this, I diagnosed myself with B12 deficiency this year when I started researching it over my OH's problem. Two years ago nurse did bloods, said all was normal. I checked B12 from that again and it was just in normal range. I asked her for test again this year and it's just under the normal range. GP called me in, told me I needed jabs...however, he has no idea of my symptoms, didn't ask and never been told. So it proves they are NOT taking symptoms with results which is wrong. They are supposed to bring the two together to make a decision. They can give jabs in worsening symptoms, especially neurological ones. This he nor consultant has considered... so they are not giving OH a fair decision.

Woof.... yes I came across a forum like that in my search for help. None of us would consider doing self medication with injections mainly for safety of course but also they have to be intramuscular, I don't think any of us could attempt it anyway. Thanks for your help though.

[bednobs]

i thought oh hadnt seen the consultant yet?

[dunnitall]

Bednobs he hasn't, appt is June but we trying to bring it forward ..seems they are stalling IMO ....consultant is doing bloods before OH goes but phlebotomy has messed up original bloods over a week ago so has to be repeated fgs they are useless. So many mistakes and blatant incompetence from the start...sigh.

[bednobs]

"This he nor consultant has considered... so they are not giving OH a fair decision. "
all im saying is that the consultant hasn't even ha a chance to see him yet, so you can hardly say the consultant hasnt given a fair decision. Also, i am really confused - you say he has low results then say they are in the normal range. If they are normal, i'm not surprised the GP wont prescribe B12 injections. What type of consultant is he seeing?

[bednobs]

i can see why it's frustrating when you have a loved one who is deteriorating on front of you. The problem is the symptoms you describe in him could all be something else too, pernicious aneamia seems unlikely if the results are normal. You have the sense to realise that diagnosing and treating yourself from internet searches is a very bad idea, and i think that the only thing you can do is either wait for the cons appt or go privately for a consultation

[dunnitall]

Thanks bednobs. I am trying to go privately but no one near enough ATM. The only reason I came up with a diagnosis is because for eleven years no one ..GP or any consultant has diagnosed OH over all those years even with lots of tests, scans etc etc repeated and repeated again! I then researched B 12 just by chance and he has everyone of the symptoms and just recently neurological ones. The latter will probably...according the NHS site, be irreversible now as they say! Daughter and I are desperate to help him but only the medics can but because OH is in low within normal range they won't do a thing. They are not taking symptoms into consideration which again NHS recommend to do.

No one has given any diagnosis or ANYTHING, yet OH is deteriorating week by week.... They could actually try giving him the jabs to see if there's an improvement! They do with tablets etc... 'Take these to see if they help symptoms...' So why can't they with the jabs! Eleven years for things to get this bleeping bad and still no help.