Hi I started my b12 loading doses about 2 weeks ago, but I'm too tired to function

[mdoh1918]

Hi i have been getting b12 injections every other day for the last 2 weeks, but I am so tired....I feel even more tired that before I started them. Is this normal? Also i know caffine is bad to take as it prevents absorption but, I have a busy week ahead of me. Can I take caffine tablets or drinks to perk me up? Would this work or is it a stupid idea? I just hate having no energy all the time. ... I just lye about all day

Thanks ☺

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi mdoh1918 just a quick reply before I have to go and get our evening meal.

It is not uncommon for some symptoms to appear to get worse before they get better as the B12 starts repairing the damage done to your nervous system and your brain starts getting multiple messages from part of the body it had "forgotten about" or lost contact with.

I sometimes liken it to a badly tuned radio on which you have turned the volume up high trying to catch the programme you want when all of a sudden the signal comes in loud and clear and the blast nearly deafens you.

A lot will depend on the severity and longevity of your B12 deficiency as to how long before there is no further improvement or recovery. Some symptoms will "disappear" quite quickly whereas others may take months or even years. There is no set timescale as we are all different.

If you can get to see a doctor please also ask him/her to check your Folate level as this and B12 help your iron to make red blood cells and to function properly.

I am not medically trained but have had P.A. for more than 45 years and wish you well

[mdoh1918 in reply to clivealive]

Hiya thanks for the reply. I had my folate checked a few months ago and it was very low so I had tablets for a few months. At the moment I think my level is 16 for folate, I am still taking them alongside my injections.

Thanks or that example 😄 it has made it more understandable for me so, I guess I shall just need to wait it out and hope I improve. It's just frustrating because I have had to leave work for a few weeks because I'm just too tired to g at too he moment and feel like I have no quality of life.

Did you have any views on the caffeine side? Would a caffeine supplement give me a small boost to get me through the day or would it make no difference?

Thanks again

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to mdoh1918]

No about the caffeine as I'm not medically trained but I remember that when I was at work back in the early 1970s when first diagnosed I drank coffee by the gallon and I'm still "clivealive" and over 75

[Av42 in reply to mdoh1918]

I take a berocca tablet in the morning along with my folic acid started taking a week after loading as still had a weird head seemed to help but may have been a coincidence . Also a banana before bed seems to help me get a better sleep.

[mdoh1918 in reply to Av42]

I did try having berocca with folic in the mornings but afer a month or so I had awful stomach acid and vomiting from it so I stopped. But the then again I don't know if hat was the cause it's just what I thought at the time. I'll try the banana though, at the moment I have a glass of coconut water everyou day for the potassium ☺

[Av42 in reply to mdoh1918]

You're brave with the coconut milk. I can't stand bananas but shoving in a couple a day!

[mdoh1918 in reply to Av42]

I know I hate bananas and coconut water and milk too 😂 but I just hold my nose a down it. I used to get heart palpitations and breathing problems before...as soon as I began with the coconut water it went away. ☺

[Weegie007]

Sorry to jump on but I am due to start mine on Friday... are there any other side effects from the injections and where do you have the injections?

I am concerned about works over the next few weeks you see

I hope your on the mend soon though

[mdoh1918 in reply to Weegie007]

Well I don't think I have had any side affects actually other than feeling seriously tired, but I was tired before I had them too it's just got more so. I've experimented with where to inject, to find the least painful one. I have tried arm, thigh and bum cheek. I find bum cheek is least painful.... thighs and arm hurt like hell for me.... but from reading other people's experiences I think it's down to each person. Hopefully you will be OK with work, I worked the first week of had the injections then I gave up and went off sick. But I was feeling awful before he injections so it's not necessarily the fault it after he injections.

Thank you very much and hope you get on well with them

[Glitterbug83 in reply to mdoh1918]

Hi I'm just starting my second week of loading doses and like you I am more tiered now than when I started also aching in my arms and legs. I also have given up today and called in sick hope you start feeling better soon!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

you are having injections to correct the absorption problem in your gut so you are now getting your B12 outside of your gut. There aren't any specific implications from taking caffeine tablets that are specific to B12 - so just the usual health warnings.

If you had macrocytosis (larger rounder red blood cells) and that is contributing to the tiredness then it will take a few months to resolve as new healthy red blood cells will only be made as the old deformed ones come to the end of their 'life' and on average a red blood cell lives for about 4 months.

Do you know if you have any other conditions going on - eg thyroid?

[Dewbuc in reply to Gambit62]

I was going to suggest checking thyroid function too

[mdoh1918 in reply to Dewbuc]

I had my thyroid checked too, apparently it was OK. I did have the enlarged blood cells though so perhaps that is contributing to my tiredness. Before I got the b12 loading doses I was on folic for 4 months due to deficiency and enlarged blood cells. I have improved some what but still and having so many problems. Thanks for the reply

[Dewbuc in reply to mdoh1918]

I'm surprised you were treated with Folate before the B12. That can sometimes precipitate neurological symptoms. I wonder if that might account for the dramatically increased symptoms. Keep taking the B12 and hopefully you will soon start to feel the benefit as your nervous system starts to repair itself. Hang on in!

[mdoh1918 in reply to Dewbuc]

That's intereating to know, I didn't realise you should be treated with b12 first. I got folate 5 months ago..and only got the b12 a week ago. It's so difficult my doctor doesn't seem to know much about this, he tried to say my b12 levels were OK, even though a result from the lab said my b12 was inactive and I needed supplement through injection. Hopefully I will know more soon as I am going to a specialist. Thank you for your help

[mdoh1918 in reply to Gambit62]

Oh OK great to know about the caffeine. Thanks for that. I did have larger blood cells a few months ago, I was put in folic tablets for 4 months and I saw some improvement but not a huge amount. Perhaps that ishe contributing to my fatigue aswell as the b12. I know hey work toget her. I had my thyroid checked as is was apparently OK

Thanks for the reply

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to mdoh1918]

didn't quite say was okay to take caffeine tablets - just that there weren't any extra risks to doing it associated with B12

Good thyroid seems to be okay. Both folate and B12 deficiency will cause macrocytosis - the enlarged red blood cells so possible that it was both causing the problem - if folate didn't clear the problem on its own then that's an indicator that both were involved ... and that will make you tired.

[mdoh1918 in reply to Gambit62]

Oh yea I know, I might not even have them but I'll see. There are days I can't move out of bed so I need to try something as a temporary solution. I was just checking it wouldn't affect my b12 absorption that's all other than that I know caffeine tablets aren't exactly healthy 😂

Yeah folate didn't sort the problem, so yes must be both. It's so difficult to sort this all out.

[Dewbuc in reply to mdoh1918]

Try sticking to coffee rather than caffeine tablets. It's been getting a good press recently. Of course next week they'll probably sat its bad for you!

[Glitterbug83 in reply to Gambit62]

How would we know about blood cells -can the doctor know by our tests?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Glitterbug83]

Glitterbug83 macrocytosis would show up in a full blood count.

[SusanLMckinney]

You should see some improvement in a few weeks, nerve damage is slow to heal. As your blood improves and carries oxygen and Iron better you will feel better. Don't confuse your lack of caffeine with something caused by B12 and yes, it is possible you may have places on you that were numb that now may be tingling again, just as when you lay on your arm at night and your hand goes to sleep, then as circulation comes back it tingles. Make sure you are taking the right dose. 1mil is the same as 1cc.

[Lizreds1]

I was like yourself, even taking b12 orally, completely wiped me out, I had a methyl c injection and spent a complete week ill on the floor, until...I started to take metafolin felt better about hour after I took it, also I take electoyltes, I cycle the metafolin, as too much can make you feel poo, My body lets me know when I need the potassium and magnesium! I feel so much better , hope this helps, there is a lot of info if you look at methylfolate, the info on b12 is scant, if you have trouble finding it, just message

[Lizreds1]

Just to add, I was taking folic acid too, but made matters worse, had to be solgar metafolin, I did read that only certain vitamins are really good, and believe me made a massive difference, was really worried about taking potassium, but there is no need to be worried, but don't overdo, I get like a fluttering when I need my electrolytes