Does neuropathy get worse before it gets better when starting b12 injections?

[blueivy_4]

Hi,

I'm going to start b12 injection soon to hopefully help with peripheral neuropathy I'm currently having. I've heard that the neuropathy could worsen at first when you start to inject with b12, as if the nerves are "waking up" as the b12 is repairing the damaged nerves.

I was wondering if this is the case? And if it is, how long did the neuropathy take to feel better? Although I know everyone is different and nerve repair is slow and take 6+ months. I'm just concerned with the neuropathy worsening when I start to self inject.

Thanks.

[cwill]

My progress had distinct stages: is this doing anything; more pins and needles than numbness; and finally weird pain in my hands. Finally reached more normal sensation after many months of alternate day injections. Yes we are all different but hopefully you will see encouraging signs. My hands had numb patches so pins and needles instead was clear progress.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi blueivy_4 it is not uncommon for symptoms to appear to get worse before they get better but if you know this in advance you will probably feel less stressed and worried about it. As for recovery time - there is not set time as we are all different.

I've had P.A. for over 47 years and I'm still "clivealive" aged 78

I wish you well and Goodnight.

[deniseinmilden]

It often does but it can be in a good way - and if you know that's the case you can easily welcome the new sensations rather than dreading another nerve set failing like your current situation.

The sooner you start the less damage you will have to heal!

Well done and good luck.

PS you do know that it is best to have your first jab where you would be helped in the very unlikely case that you had a reaction to the jab?

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

It took many weeks for me to see progress. My symptoms worsened when I first started on B12 treatment.

I have been left with mild neuropathic symptoms that seem to be permanent but I think this is because I had so many years without treatment.

I seem to need much more B12 than recommended in UK guidelines and neuropathic symptoms return/worsen if I go without or reduce amount of B12 I have. I use the return of neuropathic symptoms as one of the signs I need more B12.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

blueivy_4 - I think we are talking about neurological symptoms rather than neuropathy - just want to make that distinction as it may be important to some people in dealing with GPs. Neurological symptoms may not always be due to neuropathy, ie damage to cells. There is at least one process that involves B12 and affects the efficient functioning of nerve cells but isn't caused by damage to the cells themselves. There are probably others.

Many of us experience worsening of neurological symptoms after starting treatment for B12 - one analogy I use frequently is listening to an old analogue radio on which there is a lot of static - so you have turned up the sound so you can just about make out what is going on. If the signal suddenly comes through clearly the result can be deafening .... and it takes a while to adjust the volume down. Your brain has got used to listening to nerve signals through static and then you have enough B12 and they start coming through clearly and it takes a while to adjust the settings again.

[jillc39]

No, my neuropathy didn't get worse - but it does take a very long time to feel improvement. Hang in there....

[Gunj_redjem in reply to jillc39]

How long it took u to feel improved?