B12 injections and flushing

[Alpaca24]

After a long time of trying to figure out what has been causing my skin to flush, I am now fairly sure it is the B12 injections. I tried increasing the frequency of SI from 2 weekly to 1 weekly and the flushing got much worse - so I think this is the likely culprit. However, the flushing does not go away at a lower frequency, it just becomes less intense. I now have a dilemma as my neuro symptoms start to return if I decrease SI beyond 2 weeks. Has anyone else experienced this? It feels so hard to manage this on my own when I really could do with a specialist's input (that truly understands this condition). I have been referred to a haematologist but I don't hold much hope given they advised my GP to tell me not to SI. Does anyone inject a smaller dose than the 1ml? This is the only thing I can think of trying. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[Polaris]

Are you taking other B vitamins ? B1 (niacin) is known to cause flushing I believe.

I know that I was generally very hot most of the time before sufficient injections relieved this and other B12 symptoms.......

[Alpaca24 in reply to Polaris]

Hi Polaris, thanks for replying. No I stopped all other vitamins to rule them out as possible causes. Interesting that the injections helped your feeling hot! I don't think it's a lack of B12 for me now as I had been SI weekly but I won't rule it out.

[Narwhal10]

Hi Alpaca24,

Yes, I used to split my dose. Half (0.5 mls) in morning, go for a 5 k walk (0.5) half in afternoon when symptoms came back. But we are all individuals so it’s trial and error. Hope you find what works for you.

😊

[Alpaca24 in reply to Narwhal10]

Thanks for replying and letting me know you split the dose. Do you know if I could leave the vial open and inject at a later date? Not too sure how I would store it. I will probably have to research this a bit more.

[Hamayeshguy]

Just watch your ferritin level. As soon as nerve repair process starts by taking B12 and folate , muscles start to revive and take back their iron and myoglobin. Don't get fooled by ferritin level number and take gentle iron pills. Every three months go for feritin check but don't worry because it takes long time to go beyond it's range. Now my problem is feritin. It's in range but muscles trying to get revived and this feritin kevel surges and causes attack like symptoms which is million times worst than B12 deficiency symptoms. It's like nightmare and even in blood work tests doesn't show any abnormality. So becareful when you raise frequency if injection. In the meantime if you have physically active during deficiency you have to take whey protein shake after some mild exercise bas it help to give muscles faster by raising myoglobin level in muscles faster. Just a cup in dilute concentration works well.

[Alpaca24 in reply to Hamayeshguy]

Thanks for replying, I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow. Going to ask if I can have a blood test to look at other possible deficiencies and to look at thyroid function etc.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

It could be that B12 is making the symptoms more obvious rather than causing them. It is very difficult to balance symptoms and reactions but if you can live with the flushing I would recommend prioritizing the neurological synptoms

[Alpaca24 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks, yes I thought that it would likely be better to prioritise the neuro symptoms although the flushing is driving me mad. Hoping that a lower dose of B12 in one go might help to reduce the intensity. Will have to wait and see! And like you say, the B12 might not be the cause...

[pitney]

I don"t get the flushing but I do very often get a sensation of feeling warm a couple of days after SI don"t get a temperature just feel warm and its been the same since I started having loading dose about 11 years ago.

[Alpaca24 in reply to pitney]

Hi pitney, does the feeling of warmth pass after a period of time until you inject again? It seems to be a daily feeling for me although it comes and goes throughout the day - my skin almost looks sunburnt.

[pitney in reply to Alpaca24]

Comes and goes intermittently over 3/4 days after injecting and then goes until after the next injection, I don"t get anything that looks like sunburn on my skin though this is just a warm sensation.

[Narwhal10]

Hi,No - due to infection control and air exposure leaving a vial open is not an option. I draw up two syringes with needles - I now s.c. used to I.M.

Inject one - the one without wrapping on. Place the other in empty cleaned draw.

Best wishes

Syringes

[Alpaca24 in reply to Narwhal10]

Thank you for sharing this, I’ve really struggled to find anything about this online. Do you know if you have to use it on the same day? Or could I leave it a week? I’m not sure whether I can buy smaller doses of B12 vials but will have to have a look as this would be easier!

[Narwhal10 in reply to Alpaca24]

Hi Alpaca24,

On the occasions I don’t have to an afternoon dose, because I always go on symptoms, I do use the next day. Anything longer, I dispose in my sharps bin. I don’t know what others on here think of that.

I dabbled quite a bit, so, generally FOR me, 0.6 -0.7 mls work. For you MAYBE can tolerate 0.4 mls without flushing and keeping neurological symptoms at bay for a week. 🤷‍♀️

[Alpaca24 in reply to Narwhal10]

Thanks again, this is very helpful. Think I might have to trial and error doses. I’ll make a new topic about how long others think you can keep the b12 in the syringe.

[Narwhal10]

Great idea. I know at least one person on here is a scientist. Good luck