What can I expect from my loading doses?

[franrose]

Hi everyone, I'm starting my loading dose with the practice nurse tomorrow, second one on Thursday and then two more next week on an unconfirmed date. Is there a post somewhere on here that explains what to expect from the jabs, or does anyone have any advice - will I notice any immediate effects or is it more of a "slow burner"? I have the loading doses in the mornings so have taken them off work, but one of the afternoons I will have a presentation to deliver at work.

Thank you for your help as always!

[Hidden]

Hi franrose, We are all different, each person reacts differently. Some tend to fall asleep , others it can give a boost. Just depends on how low you were, whether you have other symptoms, for example numbness, pins and needles etc. I always recommend eating a banana before you go for the injection. Anyway welcome to the website, let's us know how you get on. If you are at all concerned about different things

Happening many here we no doubt be able to help.

[franrose in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your reply. My main symptoms are numbness and vibrations in hands, brain fog and tiredness, peripheral vision disturbances/flickering, constipation, throat pain and hoarseness. Sometimes a tight chest though I also have asthma. Good call on the banana though bad news for me as I hate them! I can handle them blended up in a smoothie so will do that

[Hidden in reply to franrose]

By the sounds of it you have been low for quite a while ! Have you got your blood test results, ie iron folic acid vit d.

At the moment I doubt if any one could predict how you will feel after 1st Injection. It is a good idea to read as much as possible, sleepybunny is sure to reply later with numerous websites and information.

Goodluck tomorrow and let's us know how you get on, or if you have problems solving things.

[franrose in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! It's taken me about 8 years from my first low b12 result in my early 20s to get a diagnosis, and I only got that as a result of advice on this forum. I've had ferritin and folic acid in the last year which were low but above the bottom normal range. Not had vitamin D tested since about 10 years ago where I did have a deficiency. Thanks again for the advice you've given, I'll just ride it out and see how I get on!

[LJH50]

Hi Franrose. Are you having 4 loading doses? If you are in the UK the NHS guidelines are for 6 as I understand it. I had no affects from the first 6 Injections, no better no worse so I had a further 6, 2 weeks later.

[franrose in reply to LJH50]

Oh no! I'm in the U.K. and I've only been scheduled for 4?? They are honestly useless.

[LJH50 in reply to franrose]

You will need to contact your GP best by email so you can keep a record. Insert the NHS Guidelines for loading doses. That's what I did. My surgery's policy was for 5. They changed it after I informed them I should be having 6. Good luck.

[franrose in reply to LJH50]

Thank you, I will have to do that. I am a bit concerned as I'm having my first dose today and they could barely even fit in 4 appointments so I'm not sure how they're going to do 6 in 2 weeks! Thanks for the advice!

[Hidden in reply to franrose]

Look up nhs ........... b12 deficiency (inserting your area in .........) this will inform you of protocol for your area. It should be 6 injections ,our area is 5.(Its all confusing NHS has different treatment for each county)

NHS websites are not the best for treatment plan !

Go to NICE treatment plans as this states 6 injections every other day for two weeks and that if problems still exist every other day until symptoms cease.

[franrose in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I'm in Kent and weirdly couldn't find anything at all for our trust but I was in a bit of a rush so may have missed it. I asked the HCA why it was only 4 doses and she said it's because my B12 score was 180 rather than below 100 (??). She said they give 5 or 6 depending on how deficient you are. Sounds odd to me if NICE say 6 no matter what. Also they seem to be basing this off a blood test I had in September so how do they know if I'm below 100 at the moment??

She also said after my 4 doses they would give me a blood test to see where my levels were, and then I would get an injection every 12 weeks.

[Hidden in reply to franrose]

It's possible you come under medwayswale nhs,Good idea to download as this also states if no improvements injections every other day. !

[Chucknz]

Yes we are all different. Over the years I have been taking them from time to time every day for a couple of weeks (just a small does) and notice no difference. other times I dont have any for a couple of months then have one and feel no difference.Its all pretty annoying really

[franrose in reply to Chucknz]

Thank you! It is very annoying!!

[WhyAmISoTired]

After the loading doses I was totally wiped for hours. This happens to some people, so I would have a plan B in place for your presentation, just in case. You will have a better idea of how you react to the shots after the first one.

[Hidden in reply to WhyAmISoTired]

I agree, both my partner (recently) and myself (nearly twenty years ago) slept for hours, and even after hours and hours of sleep still didnt feel as though we had'nt slept.It's been just over a month since his injections and he is dozing off, but I know in time this will change with the correct treatment.

Give yourself time for your body to recover!

[franrose in reply to WhyAmISoTired]

Thank you! I feel ok at the moment, I do have some tingly feelings in my hand and face and feel a little spaced out but not sure if I'm hyper aware. I have switched the presentation to the day in between doses so hopefully that will be a little better!