Can I take Ibuprofen when having loading doses

a) I'd avoid alcohol if I was you. It may not be the case for you but some of us find it really knocks out our B12.

b) the ibuprofen should be okay though I find that cocodamol actually works better for me with sinus pain. Ibuprofen is an NSAID (Non-steroid anti-inflamatory drug - one of a group of drugs that are known to interfere with absorption of B12 in the gut but you are having loading doses, so that isn't a factor. Downside of cocodamol is that it contains codeine which can cause constipation. I tend to take lower doses than the ones recommended on the packet.

You might also find steam inhalation a good idea - it can help to open up passages a bit more but nurse was telling me last week that it is also about taking deep breaths which can help to stop gunk accumulating in the lungs and stop problems spreading.

I'd mention the problems to the nurse when you have your next loading dose though.

For me B12 heightens pain, especially any kind of tooth pain. But muscle pain also. As I understand it, the myelin sheath on the nerve is being repaired by the molecules, amino acids and enzymes that are being produced by the metabolism which has become unblocked by the B12 injection.

The pain, although it feels real, is due to a stronger signal to the brain. This is a good indication that you needed B12, although it is extremely annoying.

Pain medications work but also seem to overreact lasting longer than stated on the bottle. I don't understand this mechanism yet.

Alcohol is completely out. It consumes the other B vitamins that B12 needs to do its job. Alcohol does not directly react with B12. For me, drinking alcohols causes a 4 day hangover.

Last week when I took two ibuprofen on a friday, I felt drugged all weekend.