How often is everyone getting a b12 injection and how long since being diagnosed?

[Plucky1976]

Hi all. I'm not expecting miracles with this b12 but I am looking for some encouragement. Just wondering how long it has been for some since starting treatment and how long before you started feeling better. I'm noticing body parts that have never hurt before. My neck for example. I have disc problems with my lower back and now I'm feeling like I have something going on with my cervical spine that I really wasn't aware of except for maybe some headaches which completely disappeared before treatment. I am now starting to notice headache twinges coming back. I know you tend to feel worse before better but some days it feels exhausting. The only thing that has pretty much gone is the panic attacks that have now turned to slight anxiety and numbness in my hands and feet. A lot more energy but it gets spent quickly if I do too much. My internist finally got me on schedule after others didn't even believe it was my b12. They wanted to treat me once a week for a month then once a month. I am currently getting injections M W F until symptoms stop improving. What a difference the proper schedule makes! Wish everyone well.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Plucky1976 are you in the U.K?

I started having cyamocobamalin 1mg B12 injections every four weeks 46 years ago when I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia so there is life after P.A. I now have them every three weeks because of a previous return of neurological symptoms in the run up to the next scheduled injection.

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 hope your teethe extractions were not too painful.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had P.A. (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years and I'm still "clivealive" and over 75.

I wish you well

[Plucky1976 in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clivealive .....I'm actually in Ontario, Canada. My consult with oral surgeon is tomorrow actually. My folate levels were fine although, they did drop with the first few injections but have come back up. I'm not sure how long I've been deficient but thinking back it scares me to realize I have had symptoms for years never realizing anything was wrong. Three months ago I no longer recognized the person I had become. All of a sudden I had almost every symptom including constant panic attacks, numbness in every extremity and even barely being able to pick up my right leg a few times. I am seeing some improvements since getting injections evenly spaced during the week. I just can't believe how devastating this entire thing can be to our bodies. I actually atopped feeling pain for a couple of months. I have a herniated disc that bothered me for years that no longer have me issues about 2 months prior to starting the injections. I also stopped having headaches that are now coming back. It's so crazy! It would be great if sleeping and the energy level could start improving! The tinnitus is free to go at any time as well. I just worry that I have been deficient for so long that these things won't get better. Fingers crossed!