Frequency question

[SallyRees]

I’ve been having monthly B12 injections from my GP for a little over three years and as soon as I reach the end of the third week I’m very much aware that my next injection is due and needed.

It’s like my batteries are running low and I feel extremely tired and listless and very forgetful.

I’ve been contemplating increasing my injections to every three weeks now that I’m in control. But does this risk my body needing more and more or should I just let my symptoms be my guide?

I’d be very grateful for anyone’s advice and experience…

[wedgewood]

Let your symptoms be your guide . Do not believe what some doctors have been quoted as saying to their patients , that the more B12 injections you have ,the more you want . Absolutely not true . You will find out by experience how often you need to inject to keep symptoms at bay . Occasionally , you may need an extra one if you have been overdoing things physically . Best wishes .

[SallyRees in reply to wedgewood]

Oh Wedgewood, you’re a star! 🌟It’s so nice to know I can ask and receive such friendly, helpful advice.

I think I’ll start with three weekly injections and see how I go. Also going through the dreaded menopause at the moment 😅

Hope you’re well x

[wedgewood in reply to SallyRees]

I’m very well thank you . I inject often enough to keep the dreaded symptoms at bay ! It’s always so important to keep as well as possible , but especially during this difficult time . Staying in tip-top condition means that even if one were unlucky enough to catch the dreaded lurgy, one stands a better chance of it not being so serious . Keep yourself well SallyRees ! 👍

[SallyRees in reply to wedgewood]

Cheers to that, Wedgewood! 🥂😊Stay well.

[Nackapan]

I try and go by symptoms. I'm presently on ever 6th day . I was on 2 weekly for just over a year but now inject with my own supplies inbetween prescription ones.

Sounds like tih have very distinctive symptoms saying you need more b12 . Follow those signals.

I've never been able to get symptom free and find it difficult to separate what is what ar times as some day convinced i need more but the day after a better day ?? No linear line still.

I keeo a log. I think over a period of s few months I know if increasing has helped.

My head / vestibular symptoms are confusing.i unfortunately had a bad fall ( due to low b12) may be playing a part too?? Only firm diagnosis b12 deficiency though. It appears lots of people have fallen on the forum.

I'm still learning. Some signs are clearer now. Balance goes if I'm short if b12 . Also sudden weakness.

So follow your very clear symptoms and try 3 weekly in my opinion .

I think sometimes it may appear that the more had the more you need.

This may be is because you are able to do more. ??

There are differing personal opinions of this .

Some can on the right frequency of injections get on with their life.

Others still can struggle every day.

I think .

I do believe healing still possible over years

I read recently about neurotransmitters re routing as we have plenty of dormant ones .

G

Hope you get on okay and that frequency suits you to keep most symptoms away

[SallyRees in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks for your response, Nackapan. It’s those symptoms that scare me to be honest. If I’m too low my balance and speech are the first warning signs, big warning signs.

The fatigue and fuzziness are the pre cursors to the those.

I don’t think the menopause cause any of these signs I just think it exacerbates the feeling of tiredness, specially if I’ve had a day full of hot flushes. 😅

I’m hoping by increasing my dosage I can find a happy level of energy and wellness. 🤞

Letting our symptoms be our guide sounds like very sound advice.

Stay safe and well 😊

[Nackapan]

P.s Dont put too much down to the menopause.

That was one huge mistake I made

I now know the distinct differences.

Think of pmt . That's hormonal.

Your other symptoms are not.

Menopause symptoms feel an exaggerated feeling if what youve experienced before.

B12 deficiency symptoms are different.

I knew at the time something was wrong. .

However being g told enough times menopause/ stress started to believe it I did act going to the G.p ,( not been for 7 yesrs( despite that history bloods were not taken?? An opportunity missed. I think if sorted the less damage wouldve happened

I feel very strongly b12 shoukd be tested at 50 health check or at least once on your life. A baseline on what level of b12 you operate on.

As you have the diagnosis before / during your menopause that's good

I'm convinced having been through the menopause that's when my body could

not cope anymore.

I'm othef words . In the nick of time hopefully for you. So keep up the b12

[Baggy8]

I'd very much support the thinking that only you can decide how best to supplement, as you are the only one who knows when things are not 'firing well'. Once we've lived with this for a while, we recognise those first signs, which are annoyingly different with everyone and you can jab early! That's where SI is so useful and I'm one very grateful to this forum in giving me the information to do that, some years ago 😉. Incidentally, you may find it useful to know that for me menopause did occasionally need me to up my dose. Take care of yourself

[SallyRees in reply to Baggy8]

You’re so right, Baggy8! The gratitude I have for this forum is immense. When health professionals deserted me when I needed them this community came to my rescue.

I think there’s something beautiful in the way that fellow suffers, who are complete strangers have come together to help one another. Folk that understand how you feel and only want to assist with their knowledge and advice.

I think it’s sad that we’re forced to do this but by the same token I’ve experienced so much kindness here.

Take care 😊

[Cinderellen]

Even now, some 4 years on, I don't always recognise the signs... having co-morbidities that share the same symptoms doesn't help tbh, and neither does that menopause! I can struggle through the majority of the day and have to resign myself to this being a 'settee day' when all of a sudden it dawns on me to try an injection usually it's near 3 or 4pm and I'm walking into walls or through treacle. Most times, within 30 mins there's an improvement which makes me wonder what is the driving force behind the particular symptoms on that day. I can't discount the b12d as the are several improvements within a short period of time. Recently, I've been recognising this sooner and rather than struggling through the day I'm injecting much earlier and feeling the benefits. I suspect that I really do need to increase the frequency of the injections and keep it up for set period (I do sometimes increase especially when I feel ill, or particularly more fatigued than usual etc as I am led by my symptoms) however, I'm trying to be a little bit cautious due to already low-ish iron and ferritin levels and the situ with gaining supplies.

Some of the symptoms that b12 injections have improved within this 30 minute time frame include: blurred vision, tinnitus, visual disturbances, unsteadiness, severe vertigo, migraines, brain zaps. After an hour or so my energy is improved and I'm able to function better physically and mentally. On these days (without the b12) I'm in a darkened room, laying down, taking naproxen, paracetamol and lansoprazole unable to speak or communicate with anyone as I'm in far too much pain and dysfunction as I can't be upright. It's these days that I do struggle to inject but somehow I manage it (sometimes taking considerable time) but the improvements are the most noticeable.

I have even managed to avoid taking painkillers for a really bad headache by doing an injection. Ok, it's not completely taken the headache away but it's helped enough to allow me to function better. There has to be a link... I know that some would say it's the placebo effect but there's also been times when I've felt no benefit from the b12 injections - particularly when I was iron deficient with low folate and other deficiencies.

Increasing the frequency has certainly been beneficial to my well being but I do need to be careful with my iron status.

[Readdaily in reply to Cinderellen]

Thank you for sharing your experience. You don’t know how much reading your experience has helped me.

[Cinderellen in reply to Readdaily]

That's great! I haven't posted on this forum for years so it's good to learn that it's helped someone. Take care.

[SallyRees in reply to Cinderellen]

So sorry to read how much you suffer. You certainly sound as if you are your best guide for b12. I hope your good days fully out weigh your bad 😊

[Cinderellen in reply to SallyRees]

Thank you. Unfortunately, presently my bad days still outweigh my good days but I do have other conditions that are all in the mix. If the fatigue from these conditions improved I'm sure that, that would flip and I could lead a more balanced life. Thank you for your well wishes. I hope that you manage to support your recovery through a regime that suits you. Take care.