Numbness in ring and little fingers

[Csl1]

Hi all. I wanted to check if symptoms like numbness can recur or appear after B12 injections are underway. I had the loading dose in June then the next injection in August. I am due again in 2 weeks. I suspect I do need more frequent injections but haven’t grasped the nettle to SI yet. I’ve bombed this week energy wise and am now getting unpleasant numbness in both hands on 4th and 5th fingers which I have had before but seems worse. I was wondering if it is likely or possible for neurological symptoms to worsen once treatment has started.

GP refused to extend loading dose for neurological symptoms but consulted haematology when challenged who advised two monthly injections which seems neither one thing or another.

I’m not sure whether I should push for a further loading dose (or do my own)

Thank you all.

[deniseinmilden]

Yes, they definitely can and the only cure is more B12 and supporting supplements - a broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement plus extra folate, potassium, magnesium and iron.

You will need more injections. I'm not sure about having the loading doses again at every other day. It is only a personal feeling but I had that and wonder if it caused my autoimmune body to decide to not use the B12 frugally. If I was having my second lot of jabs again I would like to try weekly injections, like (I think it's the Dutch) use as their loading regime.

Either way I think it is important that you get your jabs as your symptoms dictate as this is the only way you will repair the neurological damage. In my case this ended up being every day jabs.

SI is nowhere near as bad as the thought of it is!

[wedgewood]

I would just like to second all that deniseinmilden has written. Self injection has saved me , although because it took so long for me to find out about self-injection , at PAS , I’m left with a little trouble with my feet , which luckily are no longer numb . It’s imperative to get the right amount of B12 , and it’s a trial and error situation , because we are all different with different requirements . There are no hard and fast rules . But you will find out what’s best for you . Worst of all , a huge lack of knowledge and understanding from the medical profession .

[Suzibelle]

As the others have written, yes, symptoms do seem to get worse after you start treatment but then they get better. The time frame for that is different for everyone. Of interest, I had exactly the same tingling/numbness in my ring and little fingers on both hands but it has mostly gone, although I start feeling it (and other symptoms) again when I'm due for an injection. You'll just need to sort out how often you need to inject. After six years I'm still working that out: started out with once every three months after the loading doses, now down to once every six weeks but am trying to get my nerve up to start self-injecting as I suspect I really need it once a month! Good luck with getting it sorted and you will feel better.

[Csl1]

Thankyou all. It is reassuring. It is so hard to tell whether something might be related, something new or some manifestation of health anxiety. You do start to doubt your own judgment and it is good to know there could be a plausible explanation