Numb and aching hands and arms even after b12 loading dose! How long will it take to feel better

[Tehmeena]

I completed my loading dose 4 weeks ago, and I felt a lot better..my worse symptoms were tingling aching hands and arms, fatigue and anxiety. 10-12 later the symptoms came back again but not as bad. I have my next injection in December and hate the fact I might be feeling like this till then !! Has anyone else felt better and then ill again so soon.

[fbirder]

How many injections did you have for loading doses?

With neurological symptoms (like your tingling finger) you should have had three a week until those symptoms were no longer improving (with a review after three weeks). Then your maintenance doses should be 8 weeks apart, not 12.

Ask your doc to look at the second paragraph for B12 in the British National Formulary. Many seem to stop after the first paragraph.

[Tehmeena in reply to fbirder]

Thank you so much for your reply. I had 6 injections, 3 a week for 2 weeks. I have an appointment tomorrow with my Gp so will ask her about it. Thanks once again

[Gambit62 Administrator]

people vary very much in how they respond to B12 injections - personally my symptoms come back within 24 hours. I'm not alone but I am at an extreme.

Suggest that you try keeping a symptoms diary as well as speaking to GP as it does sound as if even revisiting loading shots and then going on to 2 monthly maintenance isn't going to be the right regime for you.

[ndodge in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gambit62,

Do you mean to say "IS going to be the right regime for you?" In the above post? Just to be clear.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to ndodge]

no meant isn't as the symptoms actually seemed to have returned in a couple of weeks so 2 months wouldn't be adequate treatmetn

Thanks ndodge

[ndodge in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit62 for the clarification. I read it wrong, my bad! (:

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

See page 8 of the "BCSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines" which outlines the UK treatment for B12 deficiency both with and without neuro symptoms. I gave my GPs a copy of this document.

I found page 29 of the same document useful as well, it's a diagnosis flowchart that shows process UK doctors should follow with someone who is symptomatic for B12 deficiency and includes when to order an IFA (Intrinsic Factor Antibody) test.

Have you had an IFA test? It can help to diagnose PA (Pernicious Anaemia) although is not always reliable. It is possible to have PA with a negative IFA test. Page 29 BCSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines mentions Antibody Negative PA.

More info on B12 deficiency....

1) Pinned posts on this forum. I found fbirder 's summary in third pinned post very useful. Lots of quotes that come in handy when faced with a medic who does not understand B12 deficiency.

2)

pernicious-anaemia-society....

3)

b12deficiency.info/

4)

martynhooper.com/

5)

b12d.org

4) Book "What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

5) Book " Could It Be B12" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart

I am not a medic just a person who has struggled to get a diagnosis.

[ndodge]

I am one of those who need b12 every other day. One of the more extreme cases but as Gambit62 says (& I'm paraphrasing) certainly not the only one on this forum with a high need for b12. I'm in the U.S. I get a prescription from my doctor and my husband gives me injections.

Good luck with getting more b12 more often.

[Jessiepup]

Sounds like you might need potassium