fatigue - do vitamin B12 shots help?

[souplover]

Hi everyone,

Recently my hematologist suggested vitamin B12 shots to help with fatigue. Has anyone else tried this and did it work? Are there negative side effects?

[Inca]

Just for a Sunday laugh.....we gave our top class Show Hunter Horse a shot of B 12 as we were travelling from Devon to Scotland for a Horse of the Year Qualifier,the judge being a big admirer of our horse & it seemed like a dead cert!!!Boy did it give the horse some energy,he bucked & plyed in the show ring throwing the poor judge to the floor!,,Yes it works,never tried it myself!

Good Luck to you.!😱😍

[Janis12 in reply to Inca]

Ha Ha, love this storey, me being horsey as well.

[Rem31]

It probably depends on the cause of the fatigue and whether you’re B12 deficient.

It’s not a straightforward subject. I have a relative who was diagnosed with pernicious anaemia and B12 injections made a noticeable difference to their alertness and general well-being. On the other hand I doubt it would help with my MPN related fatigue as I’m not short on B12, something my GP has tested.

[souplover in reply to Rem31]

This makes sense to me, thanks!

[moo196]

my b12 injections every 4 weeks definitely help me.Never heard of or felt like I have had any negative side effects.

[RomaJG]

Hi, I recently had a course of 6 B12 injections over a period of 2 weeks. I haven’t noticed any difference, I’m afraid.

[Jazzman7]

Hi,

I haven’t had the B12 shot, however, 2 weeks ago I went to the nutrition store and bought a bottle of liquid B12 supplement. It’s taken sublingually. My energy and stamina levels positively improved within 48 hours. No side effects. God send for me.

I had my annual physical last week and the CBC showed a higher than average B12 count, and my Primary Care doctor suggested taking the supplement every other day-I suppose just to lower the CBC number. But, I haven’t felt this good in over a year.

Best for you to receive opinion from your hematologist and/or Primary Care physician about the option.

All the best!

[kiwitraveller]

my bloods showed I was B12 deficient so had a series of shots - made me feel so much better - back to my old self with plenty of energy. I now get tested for B12 deficiency annually - levels seem to be stable

[Wyebird]

hi there is a range for b12 you don’t want to be above it. I used to take a supplement until it showed I had enough. Consult with your heamo before taking anything. I take magnesium. Have you had your vit d and haemoglobin checked?

[souplover in reply to Wyebird]

Thanks, this makes sense. I'll take a look at the bloodwork and will ask next time. I am already taking B vitamins.

[Ovingite in reply to souplover]

I agree with Wyebird re vit D. I had a test that showed large deficit. GP put me on a short course of vit D booster and it was as is someone had flicked a switch and fatigue melted away. Made a massive difference to QOL

Worth checking

[Trocken]

I’m surprised you’re being offered it for fatigue alone if you don’t have prenisious anemia, the guidence around the administration of it changed a few years back. I was diagnosed with it 5 years ago had the two weeks every other day shots and then was injected every (3 months) I think for a good couple of years as routine, but bloods are now taken befor it’s due and if your levels are in the normal range they don’t inject!

Never had any side effects from it, it never eradicated the normal fatigue I get but not it allow be to function and walk in a straight line , the prenicious anemia for me resulted in a number of neurological symptoms which went when my levels were normal.