Sub-q or IM?

[Brageta]

I have a hard time tolerating b12 (both orally and in a shot) it makes my neuropsychiatric symptoms worse. For the past 3 weeks, I have found that I can tolerate 100 mcg per day. I know that’s not much, but at least I am getting some in. So it takes me 10 days to get a full 1,000 mcg.

I have been doing sub-q in my stomach with small needles used for insulin; but I’m wondering if IM would be better? Problem is that it would be hard to get only 100 mcg in my IM needles since the the tube is much bigger. The tube doesn’t even have a line for that low of a dose.

[fbirder]

There is no evidence for one route being better than the other. I doubt any difference is significant.

10 shots of 100 mcg will be more useful than one of 1000 mcg. Less of it will be peed straight out.

[Foggyme Administrator]

For doses that small you could try using an insulin syringe. They’re much thinner and longer and would enable you to draw up and measure a small amount (measurements go in increments 0.1 up 1 ml - so 100mcg of a 1mg in 1ml B12 ampoule would be 0.1ml on an insulin syringe). You could use this to inject SC or IM - whichever you choose (using an appropriate needle length for whichever method you choose).

Good luck x

[wedgewood]

You write that you have a hard time tolerating B12 . Have you tried different types of B12 to see if you react better with one of them ? There are three types that are obtainable for injection - namely Cynocobalamin, Hydroxocobalamin and Methylcobalamin.

[fbirder in reply to wedgewood]

A very good point. Methylcobalamin makes me feel terrible.

[Brageta]

Thank you for your reply. I have actually tried them all. It “seems” I tolerate cyanocobalamin best. But even cyano is hard for me. I don’t know what to do. I’m very low in folate, but can’t take that at all. Gives me severe anxiety, raciness and panic attacks