So, my first blood test showed I had a level of 170 ng/l B12, and my second one showed I had 250 ng/l, without taking any supplements. My GP said that the fact that it just went up, showed that I don't have an absorption problem.
But I do have a random anxiety disorder which seems to be getting worse, and horrible muscle aches, pins and needles,..
So I went back today and asked for an injection (because I read an injection is completely harmless). She said it wouldn't do anything, but still, she gave me one and said that if I felt better, I could come back next week for another one.
When I asked her when should I start to feel better, she said 'within an hour', is this true? And do you guys think that i should quit injections because my levels are too high?
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Laura221
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Thanks! Yeah I know, it seemed a bit short to me, just one hour. I also didn't get that energy rush a lot of people talk about.. Maybe this really is nothing for me..
Hi, I had an odd experience which initially i thought was psycho somatic.
After my first shot,( next day) I started pottering as i usually do. I kept going. I cleaned the whole house, took down curtains etc. Well, the next day I woke at 6, went to work. I got home at 4.30 and was asleep by 5. I slept till 6am. I didn't even eat.
Since then no more energy spikes and Im sleeping more. My body just switches off.
Its not in my mind, something is happening. Whatever the spike was it took 18hrs bit not 1
I had a jab at lunchtime today, and I'm sitting here nodding off. I've never had an energy rush, just a very slow improvement over months. My level was 250, but I felt rubbish like you and insisted on an Intrinsic factor test, which luckily enough for me, was positive, so I finally got the jabs. My G.P seemed to think that one jab would work miracles too! Oh, how I wish that were true.
My G.P. refused to give me any more than the one injection at the start, despite my protestations. In the end, I gave myself the 6 loading doses over 2 weeks, which is the recommended regime. It was easier than the constant stress and struggle to get my G.P. to listen. I have continued to self inject since. Today was my 'freebie' 3 monthly injection at the surgery.
Thanks for reply topazrat. I already inject SC, once a week, a drug used to slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, so that would not be a problem for me. How often do you inject B12 SC?
Thank you. Am quite nervous about having to start self injecting B12...
Tthis morning I will discuss the need for continuing B12 treatment with GP, although she has said I don't have B12 deficiency, not been diagnosed with PA although I have had neurological symptoms for quite a while now. So it looks like I will have to go the self injecting route.... and am trying to find as much as I can on how to proceed with purchase of B12, syringes, needles, etc. A bit scary...
I feel good for about 14 days then start going downhill n feel I need another shot. I start to feel terrible before the 4wks.
I don't want to inject every 2wks because I'm afraid of overdosing which might have negative side effects. Do u continue with 7-10 days all the time ??
I feel I might have to resort to 1 every 2wks. I would like to know what you think.
How long u been on them ? Any negatives due to overdose/overuse ?
B12 is water soluble - what your body can't use is peed out. You can't overdose. Some people inject every day, some monthly. Whatever keeps your symptoms under control is the right frequency for you.
I do not think that water solubility alone is sufficient argument. Consider B6, also water soluble, definitely considered to be a possible cause of neuropathy.
I am a retired RN of 34 years. I was always taught that B12 should not be given subcutaneously. It should be an intramuscular injection! Is there new information that I am not aware of or perhaps you should be injecting differently!
Did anyone ever give you a properly researched explanation as to why intramuscular rather than subcutaneous? Or was it more a case of "We've always done it like that"?
I definitely had an energy boost. It took a few weeks to see improvements in some symptoms and actually an exacerbation of others, but my energy levels improved within hours
I still get a bit of an energy boost and I inject several times a week
A few hours. I remember it clearly. I had the injection about midday and by 4pm I felt stronger, more energy and my complexion had improved . However I also developed air hunger really badly and even pulled muscles near my ribs trying to get enough oxygen in.
Everyone reacts differently. As a flip side to my quick response I also go down hill very quickly. Last week I left it 5 days between injections and was quite poorly by the 4th and 5th day.m
Omg I have air hunger too at the moment, I thought I was hyperventilating or something! it's been 4 hours now since I've had the injection (5PM) so we'll see how that goes (I hope the energy boost is not too big, still want to sleep haha)
Air hunger was a symptom which I didn't know was a b12 problem until I joined pas. I had it on and off for years then when I started injecting it was really bad. Took almost 3 weeks to go away and I haven't had it since (touch wood!!l
Don't let myself get to the point where an injection is going to have a big impact these days but do remember noticing the effect quite quickly from my third maintenance shot - certainly a couple of hours - and remember the boyfriend describing me as bouncing with energy when he gave me a lift to another maintenance shot - when I'd been struggling to walk before hand!
Doubt it will have that immediate an effect during loading doses though.
Thank you all for your answers. I guess I Will ask for another injections next week then, even if I don't start to feel better this week! This is such a complex thing.. Well it's not, but there's so little knowledge about it
"My GP is thinking about 1/week, would this be enough?"
If you are In UK, treatment for B12 deficiency is 6 loading doses over 2 weeks then injections every 3 months for those who do not have neuro symptoms.
For people with b12 deficiency with neuro symptoms it's a loading injection every other day for as long as symptoms continue to get better then injections every 2 months.
"pins and needles,"
Pins and needles is normally considered to be a neuro symptom.
Have you looked at these lists of b12 deficiency symptoms? I ticked all my symptoms on PAS list and gave it to GP.
Above flowchart makes it clear that patients who are symptomatic for B12 deficiency should have an IFA (Intrinsic Factor Antibody) test and start initial B12 treatment even if B12 result is within normal range.
3) Book "What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper. This book is up to date with current UK guidelines. Martyn is the chair of teh PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society).
4) Book "Could It Be b12" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart. very comprehensive book about B12"
I also have had anxiety symptoms since I started injecting every other day. Ten days in. I have some stressors but the anxiety burns and I feel a bit off mentally, odd thoughts. Feels like a reaction.I remember having anxiety to a B vit complex a long time ago. Hopefully these things settle down .
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
(I hope the energy boost is not too big, still want to sleep haha)
When do you feel better?
Why am I not getting better?
Am I really lacking B12?
