Daily injections?

[Vickylou79]

This might be a silly question but for those who self inject, why do you do it every other day and not on a daily basis for the loading dose?

I've had burning/pins and needles in hands and feet for 13 years so I'm guessing I'm going to be injecting for a while before I notice any change?

[Ndobins]

Hi I'm self injecting every other day, and like u asked the same question . I suppose it depends on your symptoms, how long you have been deficient , some would say costing. For me it seemed the standard approach so what I'm going to do is get a blood test done on for Folate, ferritin , B12 ( I know is not relevant now) but would like to know level! Plus my thyroid is due! All these need to be optimal .I've been injecting for 2 months and do feel brighter but I'm going to address the other things then maybe inject every day for a month. Suck it and see I guess, I know some use sprays and lozenges in between , so guess it's up to the individual . x

[Vickylou79 in reply to Ndobins]

Thanks for the reply, did it take a full 2 months of injections before you felt brighter? I'm only on my second week but still have no energy. The cost is a bit of an issue and didn't see any difference with the sprays and lozenges. Like you said suck it and see, will just have to keep going!

[Ndobins in reply to Vickylou79]

6 weeks I would say, but my thyroid is being naughty I think! Defo make sure u take a good b complex , and make sure your ferritin is good. You sound like u may be symptomatic longer than me, so may take a while. It is costly but so worth it to feel better. Xx

[Gambit62 Administrator]

frequency of loading shots and then maintenance shots are set balancing out the fact that the body removes excess B12 at higher rates when the levels in blood are higher than when they are lower but they are based on averages rather than what happens with individuals.

They also fail to take into account the possibility that injections may kick off other reactions that might affect how much B12 is actually getting through to cells and mean that you actually need much higher levels of B12 in your blood for enough to get through.

Basically the answer is that it is complicated - lots of unknowns - genetics being one of them - fully understanding the metabolism of B12 and interactions with other processes being another ... and people are treating themselves based on how they feel.

[roddogsbody]

Hi I have been self injecting every other day since early September. I am nearly 62 and I suspect I have been deficient in b12 for many years, leading eventually to all sorts of neuro problems and physical symptoms too. I have improved but felt that I could do better. I switched to daily shots around Christmas and I feel that the improvement is really motoring on now. I have kept up with my intakes of folate, folic acid, magnesium, potassium and some other associated vitamins, because without those in adequate quantity, the b12 is wasted. I have found it really is a case of try it and see. Many in the medical profession seem to drown in their own ignorance when it comes to b12 deficiency. Read, research and don't be scared to take control away from your doctor if you feel he or she is just not getting it.

Best luck

Rod

[Vickylou79]

Thanks all. It's actually reassuring to know that it takes a while to feel the effects, as now I know I have to just keep going with it. I've not heard of ferritin before so will look into it.

I have a mutation in the enzyme which activates b12 and folate in my body so not sure if that makes a difference.

This forum is a godsend, as I don't have a doctor to discuss it with. My neurologist admitted that he knew nothing about b12 (and he is the best out of a bad bunch in my area) and GPS won't discuss it because I'm under a neurologist.