While still in rehab for my broken hip I have begun having flare ups of my Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) along with episodes of Depression in the last few weeks I've been here.
I have asked to have an injection of Vitamin B-12 which I have previously had prescriptions for, or injections in the doctor’s office, for many years. I asked the doctor here to put me on an oral dose of B-12 at 1000mcg daily after a 1 ml initial injection of B-12. Vitamin B-12 prevents my Depression and probably helps with the Arthritis attacks as well.
My RA is normally fully controlled with medical Cannabis, and since I don’t recall having a serious flare up of RA in the last several years I am attributing my recent flare-ups due to the lack of availability of my normal medicinal control methods, and possibly in part due to the lack of Vitamin B-12.
I have been using B-12 both orally and by injection routinely for at least 10 years to prevent Depression, but I have had no B-12 for a month now since I was injured and came here, and my Depression is worsening daily. The Vitamin B-12 has always stopped my Depression, and it allows me to have a HAPPY life!
The Doctor at this facility told me I can’t have B-12 because it’s only approved use is for “Pernicious Anemia.” So, using B-12 for Depression would be using it “off-label” according to him. However, this same doctor routinely uses copious amounts of other drugs; especially Psych drugs “off-label,” but I can’t have a simple B vitamin “off-label”!
In my opinion the doctor here needs to go to some seminars, or get enrolled in some classes somewhere, so he can learn about new treatments and ideas and get his medical knowledge updated to the 21st century!
This doctor will prescribe all kinds of pharmaceutical drugs “off-label” but he won’t give me a simple B vitamin I can buy over the counter anywhere! What kind of “Doctor” behaves this way? He has already been warned that patients are entitled to their routine and customary medications. I am beginning to think that he may be getting some kind off kick back from the drug pushers (pharmaceutical companies) to encourage him to use as many of their pharmaceuticals as he can get away with. Of course there is no incentive money available for the use of natural Vitamins!
Just so you know what the definition of using drugs “off-label” actually is here is a definition from the internet site eMedTV: “Even though the FDA approves medications for specific uses, a healthcare provider may prescribe a medication to treat a condition other than what it has been approved to treat by the FDA. This is called an "off-label" use. Because the best medication for your situation may be one that is used off-label, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using a medication off-label.
What Does Off-Label Mean?
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves medications for specific uses. If a medication is used for any other use (other than the approved uses), this is considered an "off-label" use. For instance, trazodone (Desyrel®) is a prescription medication approved to treat depression. However, trazodone is commonly prescribed to also treat insomnia, even though it is not approved for this use. Using trazodone for insomnia is an "off-label" use.
Have Off-Label Uses Been Studied?
Many off-label uses of medications have been thoroughly studied. Just because a medication has been thoroughly studied for a specific use does not mean the FDA automatically approves it for this use. A drug company must apply to the FDA to have a new use for a medication approved. Because this process can be quite lengthy and expensive, many companies do not seek approval for off-label uses. If a medication is older (and generic versions are available), it often does not make sense financially to seek approval for off-label uses. However, if a medication is newer, a new use may mean a new patent for the medication (which may allow the drug company to keep the sole rights to market the medication for a longer period of time).
Off-Label Rules:
Drug companies cannot advertise off-label uses for their medications.
Similarly, there are special rules limiting how representatives of drug companies can discuss and promote off-label uses of medications. However, healthcare providers are not limited in prescribing medications off-label. There are no laws preventing the off-label prescribing of medications. In fact, the off-label use of medications can be very appropriate in many situations. On the other hand, the off-label use of medications can also be inappropriate. Using a medication off-label without scientific evidence to support such use (especially when other alternatives are available) is generally not appropriate.” http://drugs.emedtv.com/medicine/off-label.html
Unfortunately B-12 isn’t really a drug! It is a Vitamin sold almost everywhere over the counter! Only the injectable form of B-12 requires a prescription. Vitamin B-12 has had lots of studies done and there are many recognized uses of Vitamin B-12. From the site WebMD: The many uses of B-12 include the prevention and treatment of conditions such; as memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, boosting mood, energy, concentration, boosting the immune system, and slowing aging. It is also used for heart disease, lowering high homocysteine levels (which may contribute to heart disease), male infertility, diabetes, sleep disorders, depression, mental disorders, weak bones (osteoporosis), swollen tendons, AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), asthma, allergies, a skin disease called vitiligo, preventing cervical and other cancers, and skin infections. See more at:
Since drug companies cannot promote the use of drugs off-label, what does the previous paragraph actually mean? I understand it to mean that the listed uses above are NOT inappropriate use of Vitamin B-12 off-label! And, that B-12 is recognized as a treatment for all of those above listed conditions, and many more I did not list here.
I am a two time heart patient (2 surgeries) and I have Osteoarthritis as well as Rheumatoid Arthritis. Vitamin B-12 is recommended for heart disease, and lowering high homocysteine levels which may contribute to heart disease. As far as my Depression is concerned, I have tried almost every antidepressant made, and they all have serious negative side effects, or have caused negative consequences in my life.
I think it would be a very good idea to get me back on my normal medical protocol of Vitamin B-12 immediately!
"B12 deficiency: a silent epidemic with serious consequences.
B12 deficiency has been estimated to affect about 40% of people over 60 years of age. It’s entirely possible that at least some of the symptoms we attribute to “normal” aging – such as memory loss, cognitive decline, decreased mobility, etc. – are at least in part caused by B12 deficiency." Cite from:
http://thehealthyskeptic.org/b12-deficiency-a-silent-epidemic-with-serious-consequences#comment-8478
From what you just read don’t you think it would be a good idea to get everyone in this place on B-12?
