Injection Timetable?

[1sjc]

I am self diagnosed and really feel the improvement in self injecting. I am not sure I was getting enough so am in the middle of loadi g infections daily, what rate after that do you self injectors go onto?

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi 1sjc the frequency of DIY injections is up to the individual and depending what level is best suited to that person.

Vitamin B12 is water-soluble. So any excess B12 in your body is simply excreted out in urine.

However, it is important that your Folate level is monitored as this is essential to process the B12 you are injecting.

There is a complex interaction between folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency of one may be "masked" by excess of another so the three must always be in balance.

Symptoms of a folate deficiency can include:

symptoms related to anaemia

reduced sense of taste

diarrhoea

numbness and tingling in the feet and hands

muscle weakness

depression

Replacing B12 will lead to a huge increase in the production of blood cells and platelets (which occurs in the bone marrow) and can lead to rapid depletion of folate and iron stores; this can then limit the expected recovery of Haemoglobin. Both iron and folate may be needed.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

[1sjc]

So would I go to my GP to have my folate level monitored? My B12 level would now be effected by the injections. I was thinking of injecting weekly once I have finished the loading injections, would this be a good place to start. I can’t believe the improvement in my mood energy and function!

[Panpal in reply to 1sjc]

It is quite a individual thing. You may need to trial and error till you find out what suits you.

I am self injecting 50mcg four times a day. That has got me on to an even keel again although I have not got the energy that I had. I am waiting to be seen by neurology.

Good Luck!