Side effects after B12 injections

[Raqc]

Hey,

I have been having some odd side effects after the b12 injections and wanted to know if anyone else had a similar experience.

I had a few little symptoms whilst travelling and then found out I had a b12 deficiency (96). After my first injection (out of 6 shots in two weeks), I spent the next two days sleeping and from them it just got worse (nothing like I had before). I finished these injections a week ago and I now feel: pain in my joints, headaches, anxiety, brain fog, dizziness. can’t really leave the house (or my bed) at this point. Quite concerned about the progress and worried if it made neurological damage already

[TFH1]

Hiya I felt worse when I started the loading doses too - I believe it is because the body gets busy repairing the damage and uses up a lot of precious resources in the process. Was your iron / ferritin and folate checked too? Potassium levels can drop with the jabs and while it's not advisable to take potassium supplement, a lot of people will increase their consumption of bananas and other food sources. Everyone's story is different, but it took me a couple of months to feel better. I'm pleased to report that my energy levels are back to normal. Other than regular B12 injections and iron tablets, the other thing that has helped is replacing the gut flora by making kefir and sauerkraut at home. It has improved my digestion enormously and feel much healthier for it. Good luck!

[Raqc in reply to TFH1]

Thank you so much for the help! Did you feel better before you took the short after three months?

Wondering if I should get another blood test to see how much b12 increased but it might be too soon.

[TFH1 in reply to Raqc]

I took the loading doses and felt bad, then after a couple of weeks that improved. The doc wanted me to wait 3 months till the next jab, but 2 months in, I was on my knees. I rang and spoke to a different doctor who told me to come in straight away for a jab and upped the frequency to once a month. Feel back to my old self now. The dosing guidelines change significantly if you have neurological symptoms - numbness, balance, memory problems etc if you are showing neuro symptoms you get a jab every other day until symptoms improve. I included this info in my discussion with doc and explained that while I didn't want that, once a month would be good and he was happy to comply.

[Suzibelle]

I felt dreadful for quite a few weeks after my loading doses - exhausted, dizzy, couldn't stand crowds/music (and I love music!)/bright light etc - but once past that it started to improve reasonably quickly. The general consensus seems to be that it is a side-effect of the body repairing itself once the B12 levels go up again so it's common to feel a lot worse before you feel better. Hang in there, you're getting through the worst of it now.

[Raqc in reply to Suzibelle]

That’s pretty much what is happening to me. Going to the supermarket or commute to work is a huge no.

How long did it take till you feel better? Did you take any other supplements meanwhile?

[Nackapan in reply to Raqc]

A multivitamin will dk no harm. On your next bloods get you lr iron ferritin vit d folate checked. For some reason my ferritin dropped alot so I'm on iron to raise the level. Its food ro take vit d if you on the uk this time oc yest anyhow.

I was alot worse before better. I initially was bedbound and had virtigo. I hope you feel better very soon

[Suzibelle in reply to Raqc]

Took a few months to start feeling like a human again - in total from diagnosis to feeling better was probably around 4 months? I take folate and was diagnosed with low vitamin D so now take a 1000iu vitamin D capsule along with vitamin K2. The latter helps prevent Calcium from going to spots where you don't want it (like your arteries etc!), which is an issue if you just take Vit D - there are plenty of reputable papers on the D-K2 link if you google it.

I know when I'm starting to get due for another injection (I self-inject once a month these days) because I start falling asleep at 6pm!

[TFH1]

That sucks 😔 I only took this info from UK NICE guidelines shared with me by one of the helpful people on this forum.