Needing Jabs More Frequently

[Elle89]

I was wondering if anyone else had experienced something similar to me. For a good few years, I was okay on 12-weekly jabs. Just about. The last week always was horrible, but now I feel awful from about week 10. I went to the GP this morning. She made me detail my symptoms, said it was rare for someone to be okay on 12 week then need it more frequently.

She also dismissed me when I mentioned the change in guidelines! They now want to do blood tests to rule out literally everything else before allowing me to havw the jab a little earlier. Thing is, if theres a cold going around work in those 2 weeks before the jab it absolutely flattens me. I've gone from no time off before jab, to having 2 - 3 days sick almost every time its due.

Very frustrating. Basically, I'm wondering if it really is rare to find you need it more regularly after a while?

Thanks!

[clivealive Forum Support]

No No No Elle89 it is not rare for patients to need more frequent B12 injections if they have a return of neurological symptoms in the run up to their next scheduled one.

Get you doctor to look at the BNF (the doctor's "Bible" guidelines part of which is as follows:

For HYDROXOCOBALAMIN

Pernicious anaemia and other macrocytic anaemias without neurological involvement

By intramuscular injection

For Adult

Initially 1 mg 3 times a week for 2 weeks, then 1 mg every 2–3 months.

Pernicious anaemia and other macrocytic anaemias with neurological involvement

By intramuscular injection

For Adult

Initially 1 mg once daily on alternate days until no further improvement, then 1 mg every 2 months.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

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

I am injected with cyanocobamalin because I had a reaction to hydroxo in the 1980s when it was introduced and originally my injections were every four weeks. However because I suffered a return of symptoms in the 3rd - 4th week I "negotiated" with my doctor and now have them every three weeks.

I wish you well.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Elle89, there is quite a high chance (40%) of someone with PA developing hashimotos (autoimmune hypothyroid problems), so testing for other things would be a good idea.

Have you kept a diary of how your symptoms vary over time. If the rise in symptoms can be demonstrated to be directly related to time from injections that would be very strong evidence that it really is related to B12 and you definitely need your injections more frequently.

Sorry that your GP is being a bit of a stick in the mud over 3 monthly though.