[jbug]

I went in to get my B12 shot today the first ever I have gotten. My surgeon that did my gastric bypass ordered it. While I was waiting to get it I overheard the nurse that was going to give it to me ask my doctor (my GP whose office I went to to get it done at) how much to give me and he replied that he would give me X amount but he didn't think that I needed it because my labs looked fine when he looked at them. He said he didn't have a problem giving me the shot he was just confused as to why I was getting it.

I got the shot and had to sign a waiver.

So my question is do I go back and get a shot again if I don't need it? I take a B complex vitamin and so I do get some extra B12. I just don't understand how one doctor can say that I my labs look fine and another one say I need the shot. My insurance didn't pay for the pharmacy but paid the doctor for the shot. So that is something else for me to consider. I can't really afford to pay out of pocket for the shot every month and I have tried in the past to get my insurance to pay for my vitamins as I have to take them due to having the surgery I need to take them but they don't see it that way.

So what would you do?

Jbug

I would call the Dr who ordered it and ask him why you need it and tell him what the other Dr. said. Or, turn and run for the hills, lol. Don't like shots.

[jbug]

I called my doc in Little Rock to see if taking the B12 orally would work just as well as the shot and he has agreed to let me take it sublingually. I am glad as I don't like shots and I already have to get one every 2 weeks.

Jbug

[krzyk101]

Hi jbug
Glad that you do not have to get the shot anymore and that the oral is or will take the place of it. Sorry about the insurance not paying for the needed B12 would they pay now that you are no longer getting the shot if the Doctor wrote a prescription for them and got prior authorization or declared them 'medically necessary'?

Just know the meds are very expensive and hope that the oral is less cost anyway than the shot. Good luck, kk101

[smiley1984]

it depends how much stomach you have left. B12 can only be absorbed thru the stomach so people who have had their stomach removed for any reason need injections as taking it orally is just a waste of time and money because you can't absorb it and it just goes down the toilet. It's quite acceptable if your B12 levels are ok that you don't necessarily need to have the injections now, but make sure you keep having it checked to make sure it doesn't start dropping because it will result in anemia. Your surgeon should of explained this to you.