Still feeling ill

[Dolphins19]

Hi new to this, about 2 and half months ago after feeling ill for months and after Several trips to the doctors I finally got tested for b12 and came back I had a Deficiency I was just handed tablets of Cyanocobalamin 50mg and folic acid and told to come back in 3 months, I’m not vegan or vegetarian and I eat a lot of meat, even since been feeling worse and the last 5 day I’ve had tingling in feet that goes up to my knees same with hands and elbows the pain is Unbearable no paracetamol Or Ibuprofen is touching it, going to make a doctors appointment today sick of being in pain by sides asking for injections is there anything that can help with the pain ? Thanks

[fbirder]

Your tingling/pain is a sign that your B12 deficiency is causing damage to your nerves. If you had been started on the correct treatment then this may have been avoided.

Go see your doctor ASAP. Demand treatment as recommended in the British National Formulary (your doc will have access to the online version) - medicinescomplete.com/#/con...

Make sure you get the treatment for cases with neurological involvement -

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

Point out that cyanocobalamin tablets are only licensed for treatment of "Vitamin B12 deficiency of dietary origin" medicinescomplete.com/#/con... and that there is no evidence of yours being dietary.

Neuropathic pain, such as you describe, cannot be alleviated with ordinary painkillers. You will need something like amitriptyline (an antidepressant), gabapentin or pregabalin (both antiepileptics). Nobody is quite sure how these work, but they do (I couldn't survive without my gabapentin).

[Dolphins19 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you for replying been to doctors this morning, starting b12 injections tomorrow every other day for 2 weeks and she give me amitriptyline 10 mg but only 2 weeks worth as she said the injections should start working then, I’m hoping this is right this time 🙁

[fbirder in reply to Dolphins19]

2 weeks might not be enough.

With neurological symptoms, like yours, it should be 'alternate days until no further improvement'. If yours is still present in two weeks I'd go back and do an Oliver, and ask for 'more'.

[EllieMayNot in reply to Dolphins19]

Not sure if you mean only two weeks worth of injections or two weeks of amitriptyline ? Certainly hoping that you receive more B12 injections than just two weeks.

[Dolphins19 in reply to EllieMayNot]

Hi the doctors give 2 weeks worth of amitriptyline, then I’ve got b12 injections every other day for 2 weeks not sure what’s happening after that, but I will be making another doctors appointment before the last injection.

[EllieMayNot in reply to Dolphins19]

As fbirder stated, the NICE guidelines say every other day until symptoms stop improving if you have neuro issues. You may have to bring a copy of the guidelines with you to convince them if they are unwilling (or uneducated). Hope you are able to convince them easily.

[Nackapan]

You need B12 injections . I also have no reason apart from absoration problems. Nerve repair needs urgent attention. You may feel a bit worse before better or it could pick you up quickly. As fbirder says you need stronger pain relief. Some antidepressants in lower doses are used 'off licience ' for pain.

I had ti get the Go to read bnf guidelines to get my treatment extended after advice given on here. Of possible give with a trusted friend . Hope you get the treatment you need soon

[fbirder in reply to Nackapan]

Actually, amitriptyline in licensed for neuropathic pain - medicinescomplete.com/#/con...

[Nackapan in reply to fbirder]

Yes I know

[Nackapan in reply to fbirder]

Some are not though and used 'off licence '

[Sophie1998]

Hope you get better soon