Feeling down and anxious

[TexasDixie]

Hi ,its a long time since I was on here owing to various issues. I started self injecting back in August. My daughter gave me the first shot in my arm and it was great. I get my B12 injection from the nurse every 8 weeks but it wasn't nearly enough so I inject every alternate month myself. I got my injection at the health centre over 2 weeks ago and felt great until this past weekend. Now I'm tired, anxious, down and generally feeling rotten which is making me more anxious. Today I did self inject again and hopefully it will make a difference. I have to inject in the outside of my thigh because I can't reach my arm very well. This time the stinging was so bad I almost dropped the syringe and had to carry on again but I lost a bit of the B12 so didn't get the full quantity. The first one it did sting but nothing so bad as this one. Are there any tips which you can give me about a better way to do this? I know I must be very low on B12 as this morning my eyes are the driest, most stingy and itchy they've been in a long time. Its pointless speaking to a doctor. I've been having to drink loads more water since April because of being in hospital with dehydration and my kidney count was critically low but thankfully it's ok now. Would all this extra water cause the B12 to wash out of my body much more quickly? I will be so grateful for any help please. Thankyou in advance.

Margaret-S

[Narwhal10]

Hi TexasDixie,

I am so sorry to hear about your symptoms and having to be in hospital. Unfortunately, I don’t have answers, I can just draw on personal experience. There are lots of knowledge people here though.

First and foremost, it doesn’t matter that you inject into your thigh as opposed to your arm. It is about ease and comfort. Plus, really relaxing that thigh muscle. So, if you inject whilst sat down with knees bent and feet on the floor, the muscle may not be as relaxed as it could be. Maybe lie on the sofa, then sit up (your knees and feet are supported so thighs are floppier).

If you like music, put your favourite song on and SING a couple of lines whilst slowly giving injection. Then stop and wiggle your toes. You don’t have to rush injecting yourself. Sing a couple more lines whilst injecting a bit more. Singing controls your breathing, so it’s calming, it’s a lovely distraction but also stimulates the vagus nerve. (Feel free to Google).

It doesn’t matter that much you lost a bit - you did the best you could under the circumstances. Many of us say we need more B12 when stressed whether that’s physical, emotional or both. So, keep a record of symptoms and maybe you just need more for this time being. Sometimes, I can go a week, other times it’s back to every other day. I’m sorry I really do not know about increased fluid intake.

It is worth talking to your GP because if we put everything down to PA/vitamin B12 deficiency then we might miss something which really is a separate matter.

Best wishes