Low blood pressure with B12 injections ???

[Ozzyfudge]

Hello , I recently was put on B12 injections self administered, no problem doing it except it was excruciatingly painful. Fourth injection I went dizzy on standing up and the dizziness didn’t stop for a while caused my eyesight to go blurred and whooshing in my head like a far away feeling and about to faint , I quickly sat down and when after a few moments my eyesight came back I did my BP and it was 90/70 usually it’s higher than that , my question is has anyone else had this happen ,? I contacted the doctor who said it had triggered a histamine reaction and to not have anymore , my active B12 blood test a month ago was

217.0 Range 25.1-165 🙏thank you

[Nackapan]

Usually bo can rise a little I've had the blurry vision and whoohi g many times. For about 2 days following an injection. I get dizzy/off balance at times anyhow. I've not stopped injections

[Ozzyfudge in reply to Nackapan]

I have stopped them and couldn’t stand the pain injecting myself 🙏

[Nackapan in reply to Ozzyfudge]

Oh okay . Hope they dud some good.

[Nackapan]

My bp usually 110/70 but had it done the day after once and it was higher csnt remember what number now and may have been the cause of a headache with I I jections I have at times?

[scnuke]

It sounds to me that you have had a classical vasovagal response to your injection. It is not usually dangerous, and probably not brought on by the B12 itself, but your emotional reaction to the injection process. It is somewhat common when patients have blood drawn and are not emotionally prepared, or have a shift of position that causes a sudden drop in BP. Sometimes one can overcome anxiety and mitigate VV effects, sometimes not. While anaphylactic reactions can occur from most any type of injection, including B12, it does not sound likely in your case. I have had many patients have similar episodes over the years. It would be easy to say just tough up and do it, but unfortunately we all know our brains do not work like that. Here is a good article from a trusted source that may help explain it.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Good luck to you and I hope you can find a way to keep up your needed injections. BTW - I am medically trained.

[Ozzyfudge in reply to scnuke]

Hi Scnuke thanknyou

For all that info I have just read the report and yes it sounds like it boy did I feel ill ... looking at my blood serum results my B12 is high and has been reported so , I have to say I felt really well for the first few injections but the PAIN it really was excruciating and I’m no baby trust me ! But I have to say I was so scared each time sticking a needle into my stomach I guess dear took over along with the pain what else can I take that would work in a similar way ? Or are their easier injections that won’t hurt I was screaming in pain ! I also have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and fibromyalgia so got autoimmune disease thank you for your help 🙏

[HeartyGilly in reply to Ozzyfudge]

I inject into my thigh and it is a lot less painful than when the nurse injects into my arm. I had to inject my husband this week in his thigh for the first time and he said it hurt less than when the nurse does it in his arm. Could you inject into your thigh instead? Plenty videos on YouTube.

[scnuke in reply to HeartyGilly]

Yes! When doing an IM injection, the the mid to upper, outer portion of the thigh is preferred. I do an injection in my thigh weekly. Make sure your thigh is in a position that the quadraceps muscle group is relaxed and easy to grab. I sit on the bedside and rest my foot on a small stool. That allows my thigh to be relaxed and still close enough to make for easy access. A relaxed muscle causes much less pain than one that is tight. Don't be overly alarmed if you see blood when you withdraw the needle. There are literally thousands of capillaries and other vessels and you are bound to hit one eventually. IT WILL NOT HARM YOU. Just keep pressure on it and use an adhesive bandage to reduce bruising. I alternate legs every week and remember by using the outer portion you will not to worry about hitting any major arteries. Take a deep breath and watch what you are doing. You will be fine. Good Luck to you.

[Ozzyfudge in reply to scnuke]

Thank you so much for all the advice 🙏

[Ozzyfudge in reply to HeartyGilly]

Thank you I will try ! 🙏

[Gaudygoat in reply to scnuke]

I agree with Scnuke. Sounds like a vasovagal response. I’ve been SI weekly for two years now and I’ll still very occasionally get one. I don’t think it’s purely emotional as I find it is far less common when I inject really slowly (I both insert the needle and push in the liquid slowly). It’s also far less painful. Someone also suggested eating before injecting.

It only happens about one in ten and it’s rarely strong, I just lean back in the chair and wait for it to pass but I’ve had lots of blood tests in my time but I remember almost passing out when leaving the surgery when a doctor had done a quick blood extraction.

[Ozzyfudge in reply to Gaudygoat]

I am supposed to inject B12 subcutaneously I guess that’s different from IM ?thank you for the advice 🙏

[Gaudygoat in reply to Ozzyfudge]

Physiologically it will be but it still sounds like a vasovagal reaction. I sometimes get them when I get a larger injection at the dentist. The main thing I do is take my time... both during the injection but I also don’t get up for about five minutes after the injection.

Good luck with the injection. They’ve certainly made a huge difference to my life!

[Monkey2503]

This sounds like you potentially had a vasovagal episode - commonly happen with injections and cause bp to drop- its the reason some people pass out when they see needles!

Take care

[Ozzyfudge in reply to Monkey2503]

Thank you yes I think so but it has scared me so much now I can’t inject myself 🙏