B12 deficiency.

I don't eat meat so take a B12 supplement daily.

Ok so now l have to admit l have bought some b12 and all the needles, syringes, wipes etc. I just need a last push.
I have to add here, it is not illegal to do this, l'm not a drug addict, maybe the idea of injecting oneself is a bit alien but, if l was diabetic l would have to do it. Can you imagine a dr saying to a diabetic 'This is the standard dose of insulin. Everyone gets the same. If you feel like you're running out of steam, tough! Thats all you're gonna get. Well this is how l feel. I've done my research. I'm not breaking the law. Just because someone at NICE HQ says 1 ml per 12 weeks, it doesn't mean its right. Surely l can't be the only person in the history of Gransnet to hold this view.
If you dont find 8/10/12 weekly jabs enough please respond, please tell me your story.

Tiffany I inject the top of my arm in the muscle. I use my strong reading glasses, take it slowly filling the syringe making sure there are no bubbles. I buy antiseptic wipes from chemist and make sure there will be no interruptions. Also have no hesitation giving myself B12 whenever it’s needed. One size does not fit all as my consultant says.

MacCavity can l ask where you inject and if you would do it more often?
Granny23 yes it's Intrinsic Factor that's missing in your stomach. If you have IF antibodies it means your body is literally attacking itself and your stomach isnt absorbing it so b12 needs to go directly into your blood stream. As many in your family need b12 l would definitely recommend joining the B12/Pa Support Group.
And polyester57 l would keep an eye on your vegetarian son and maybe request a blood test specifically for b12, folate and ferritin. I've never met anyone else with AMAG except in the support group.

Have needed B12 for over 20 years and because it has never lasted for the 12 weeks recommended, I persuaded the practice nurse to teach me to administer the injections. The ampoules are on my prescription form and the nurse supplies needles etc. I inject every 10 weeks as this works for me.

I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia 15 years ago and coped fine for 10 years. But the last 5 years l noticed my jab wasnt lasting as long. I was then diagnosed with AMAG (Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis) related to the PA. I knew little or nothing about any of this so l started doing my own research and joined a reputable support group which has upwards of 18,000 members. I've learned more in 2 years from them about my condition than in the previous 13 years. I would say that 90%+ of members cannot survive on the standard 12 weekly injection (which equates to 4ml per year!) and are purchasing b12 (hydroxocobalamin) from a reputable company and are self injecting. I struggled with the decision myself having been told by a gp that you can 'overdose' on too much. Rubbish, it is a water soluble vitamin and what you don't need is excreted in urine. So l am now considering it to get my life back, not feel exhausted 3 weeks after my jab and take control of my own health.

Dh and I and both our DDs have 3 monthly B12 injections from the practice nurse, following blood tests and a short course of weekly injections. One DD was found to be very short of B12 and was advised to ask her near relatives to be tested as the condition runs in families. Taking B12 vitamins or increasing B12 containing foods in your diet does not help at all because the problem is a shortage of something or other in your gastric juices, which is needed to extract B12 from your food. Hence the injection of B12 direct into your bloodstream where it is needed.

DH has a B12 injection every 12 weeks. I always know when he's due for one because he gets very tired and yawns constantly.

How can you self medicate with injections?

As a DN I had a regular list of patients needing their injections some monthly some three monthly.

I was intriqued by the title of this post. My son is a vegan and I have been buying him B12 vitamins in tablet form for ages. Recently, I have read how lack of vitamin B12 can lead to depression and have started taking them myself. Feel a lot better. Or is it just psychosomatic? Have never heard of injections.