Do Hydroxocobalamin B12 injections cause constipation?

I’m just over one month in of SI every other day and I have just started to suffer with terrible constipation during the last few days.

I have read many times that constipation is a typical symptom of a B12 deficiency but interestingly not at all common as a result of B12 injections.

I have not changed diet, medication or lifestyle since deciding to self inject so am inclined to believe it is the B12 causing it.

Just curious if anybody else suffers / has suffered with this and what was done about it.

Any advice welcome.

[JanD236]

Constipation has been a problem for me from before diagnosis and indeed still can be. It hasn’t been affected one way or the other by injections.

However, I have found that using a good quality probiotic and eating prebiotic foods has helped enormously. As has introducing acidity into my stomach when eating a larger/protein based meal. I use a betaine hcl & pepsin tablet. Others use lime juice or cider vinegar.

[Hidden in reply to JanD236]

Thanks for the reply. I do try and keep a pretty balanced diet and have never had this problem since embarking on the B12 journey.. I will try a few small adjustments to my diet though and see if it makes any difference.

[Litatamon]

I think every body reacts differently. I say that because this is simply my experience -

I am on cyanocobalamin. It has been fantastic for being regular. So much so that it was such a positive addition in that area. I thought it was simply a result of b12, not cyanocobalamin.

I have one kidney, so just in case I wanted to switch over to hydroxocobalamin.

I could not stay on the hydroxocobalamin. Immediately I became constipated. And I didn't just give up, kept on it for a decent time period. But nothing changed. That fact, plus that is affected my skin badly, made me switch back to cyanocobalamin. And everything became back in order.

It is really too bad because I felt more consistent energy with hydroxocobalamin.

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I absolutely believe posters here when they say they felt no difference between the different forms of b12. I wish I was one of them.

[Hidden in reply to Litatamon]

Very interesting. I too am suffering with skin problems in the form of small lumps and bumps appearing around the hairline on my neck. I did wonder if it was connected in some way. Also interesting that swapping back to cyanocobalamin made your problems disappear. At least that is an option for me to try. I do wonder if the two types have differing side effects on others?

[Litatamon in reply to Hidden]

The bumps are a known side effect for some when taking b12. You'll find quite a few people here that have experienced them. Many have said that they will dissipate over time. But I never had them with cyanocobalamin - besides one methyl shot that didn't go well and me trying hydroxocobalamin for an extended time I am at the year mark with cyanocobalamin.

If you hear of people experiencing issues with a certain type of b12 on here, it is most often methylcobalamin.

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* But CliveAlive, a very informative member on here, did not do well with hydroxocobalamin and has been taking cyanocobalamin for decades.

[Hidden in reply to Litatamon]

* Thanks, I'll search out his posts.

[Nackapan]

Injections often can causes diarrhoea.so I expect it can upset your bowels either way. I had constipation before injections not knowing it was a sign of b12 deficiency at the time.

Or perhaps not enough in your cells yet?? So if you are not on iron or a multivit perps its because you are not drinking enough water.

I did need alot more water.

Also fresh beetroot in vinegar good. Or plenty of fruit juice.

Are your symptoms improving otherwise though ?

[Hidden in reply to Nackapan]

You may have a point Nackapan. Since the cooler weather has been creeping in, I have not drank as much water as I usually might. Considerably less in fact. I’ll get back to the 1.5-2 ltrs per day and see if that makes a difference. Symptom wise, I believe I am making progress. I have days where energy is very much elevated and others when I feel like crap. Overall though, my balance is improving slightly, my joints ache less and fingers crossed, the dreaded tinnitus has dropped a notch. I have to be careful I am not falling into a placebo trap but the signs are good. I have a target 6 months SI every other day but may switch to daily for a while as even 24 hours can sometimes leave me almost craving for another shot. Maybe my body is trying to tell me something!

[Nackapan in reply to Hidden]

Yes we should try and listen to our bodies!! I wish you well.

[earthnymph]

Water intake is massively related to constipation, I worked with someone who was immobile from neck down, and if they didn’t drink enough fluids they had a terrible time with being bunged up.

I have not had any changes in the bum department with si hydroxocobalamin, but a diabetic medication caused constipation really badly. Natural remedies which worked are 4 dried prunes in the evening (but too high carb content for a diabetic) and psyllium husk. I include the psyllium husk in some foods I make now, (e.g. keto milkshakes, biscuits) it does no harm, contains no carbs and makes everything flow smoothly. You can buy it easily online, you can also pick it in nature - it’s the seed husks of plantago majora / plantago lanceolota, they are ripe right now in the uk. It’s the main ingredient of fybogel. Good luck 😊

[Hidden]

Thanks for the advice earthnymph, all taken onboard. Have been drinking water like there’s no tomorrow! Hopefully the bum dept will respond in kind Interesting that only one reply highlighted a problem with hydroxocobalamin which went away after switching back to cyanocobalamin. Probably just a rare reaction, just my luck!

[Hidden]

For those like me who hate unfinished forum threads, here’s a follow up. Seems that a greater intake of water especially while injecting hydroxocobalamin can offset constipation. It does for me anyway. Thanks.

[helvella in reply to Hidden]

Be careful, though. Too much water can be a very serious issue.