How much time it takes to recover from B12 deficiency...?

[rao38anshu]

How much time it takes to recover from B12 deficiency...? It's been 25 days form the day I consulted a Dr. and started taking supplements...as prescribed by him...! My most of the symptoms are gone...but still I have weakness and tiredness...! My B12 level came down to 200...but the range was 211-900...! What should I do to make fast recovery ? I have started taking milk(500ml) and eggs(2)..!

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi rao38anshu

It's early days yet in your treatment and it is not uncommon for some symptoms to appear to get worse before they get better as the B12 you are having 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.

It is also important that your Folate level is monitored as this is essential to process the B12.

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

Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body

As long as you don't have an absorption problem with your digestion if you can increase the amount of animal products you eat that will help your B12 levels and by eating leafy green vegetables that will help your Folate level.

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

I wish you well.

[pvanderaa]

The recovery is very slow, months and years if you have nerve damage.

If you have not already, start a log book or diary and assess each of your symptoms on a daily basis. You can monitor cycles in improvements and set backs in the short term as well as overall progress in the long term.

The severity score should be of your own (say 1 to 5) as you monitor your symptoms.

[JMN2017]

Hi rao38anshu

Although I did feel some improvement after a few injections, it was a bit longer before I was convinced I actually was B12 deficient. A year on, I've felt amazingly well - to the point I can't remember feeling so well. I have to admit to having a temporary blip, as it's become clear I need B12 injections before 6 weeks but, as I'm self-injecting, that can easily be sorted

Hang in there and, unfortunately, you might have to be a bit patient You will get there!

[Mrtractorist34 in reply to JMN2017]

Hello Jmn2017!

What symptoms were you having if I may ask?

I'm going through this process now of b12 deficiency I get pins and needles in my body

I'm doing injections of methylcobalamin every day 500 mcg

Did you experience worse days and better days throughout your treatment?

Your reply will be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you

Sergey

[JMN2017 in reply to Mrtractorist34]

Hi

It's difficult for me to remember now. I certainly had fatigue, low mood (in spite of being on long term, effective antidepressants, plus a lot of generalised & non-specific pains. Also, I would get quite emotional for little or no reason. All these are very much better when I have the more frequent injections B12, ie I'm currently doing 3-weekly injections

[Mrtractorist34 in reply to JMN2017]

Thank you for such a fast reply 😊

I truly hope you get even better !

May God bless you!!

I'm from Alaska just so you know 😊

[JMN2017 in reply to Mrtractorist34]

Wow!!!! Alaska In the summer here (UK) I often threaten to go to a colder country. I don't like the extreme heat, especially like last summer. Phew! Far too hot for me I'm not keen on the cold either, to be honest, so Spring and Autumn can be lovely here LOL

Take care and I wish you all the best

[palmier]

How strong are your supplements? If you have an absorption problem you may absorb only 1 %, so they may not be as strong as they seem. I was once given a daily oral supplement of 1000mcg by a doctor who said my b12 was low. If I absorbed only 1 % I got 70 mcg a week from the tablets, which is a lot less than the 3x1000mcg injections a week people get in UK when they are diagnosed as b12 deficient. I wonder how it can be such a difference depending on where you live.

[Hidden]

If you have nerve symptoms, it is no good at all. You have to take injections immediately. I had peens and needles, tiredness and weakness about 7 months before i understand that my B12 was 50, I went to several hospitals with peripheral neuropathy-nerve damages. Now I self inject-more than 170 shots from January 2017 and I am feeling a little better. My B12 level now Is more than 2000. If you have no nerve damages, take supplements 1000-2000 mcg 3 times a week. I am not medically trained person, but I think I know much more than many doctors. I am 58 years old man from Bulgaria. Don't be afraid and be happy and healthy.

[Mrtractorist34 in reply to Hidden]

Hello svetlozartenov!

Have you made to a full recovery?

Do you inject daily?

I do daily Injections 500 mcg a day I've been doing it for about 5 weeks now

Please let me know

Thank you

Sergey

I'm from Alaska just so you know 😊

[Thulasi1 in reply to Mrtractorist34]

Hi, I am also taking 500mcg methylcobalamin injections.. though some symptoms improved, I have lot of acne all over the body . It’s been two years since I started but the acne doesn’t go away. Maybe due to the methylcobalamin as compared to hydroxocobalamin. Do u have acne or any other side effects due to methylcobalamin?

[Rshpreet in reply to Hidden]

Hi brother, May i ask how are your symptoms now? how often you self inject and how much you’re recovered since starting the treatment... xx

[Hidden]

Hallo Mrtractorist34,

Be patient please. I inject 3-4 times a week, I have had more than 330 shots from the beginning of 2017. Full recovery Is my hope, but I have a great progress. My injections are 500 - 1000 mcg Cyano, Hydroxo and Methylcobalamin. I don't feel any difference. I still have pins and needles all the time, feel tired. But in 2017 I could not walk alone, now I am playing tennis on court. So don't be afraid and believe in your recovery.

All the best !