First Ever Prescribed Injection: My Thoughts

[MikeyO]

I had my first ever b12 injection at my GP a couple hours ago. The nurse asked which arm. I chose my right. It stung a bit, but not too bad. I was given a spot plaster and sent on my way.

I’m not going to exaggerate and state that I feel a tangible difference, but I do feel somewhat more steadfast and motivated for whatever reason. There’s also a sense of optimism that I haven’t felt in decades. Maybe it’s placebo. I just feel that things are going to be ok and I will get my health back. Jab number 2 is on Thursday. Annoyingly my GP has no further available appointments, so my 6th loading dose may run over into a third week. As it stands I have taken jab number 1 today, number 2 is on Thursday, then jabs number 3,4 &5 are on Monday, Wednesday & Friday next week respectively. The 6th one may be in week three unfortunately. I was told to call the practice in the coming days just in case someone cancels, then an appointment spot may arise.

Thanks for reading. Take care guys

😀

[Nackapan]

wont be a problem if 6th one in week 3

May even be an advantage.

You are on your way .

let us know how it goes.

🙂

[jade_s]

Congrats!!

I felt GREAT after my 1st and then crashed and slept for 3 days after my 2nd LOL. In the early days, it's not unusual for it to be like a roller-coaster, some good days, some bad days, especially if you've been deficient for a while. . Not to be pessimistic or anything, just setting expectations so you don't get frustrated if it gets worse for a while.

[MikeyO]

I’ve got some sublingual b12 lozenges. Do you guys recommend using them between my loading dose injections or shall I wait until after?

[Jillymo in reply to MikeyO]

I used both the patches and sublingual anything I could to try and stop the awful symptoms. Remember you cant overdose so do what is right for you.

I found after my loading dose 3 monthly injections were not sustaining my symptoms so I requested for them to be given 2 monthly. Still my symptoms persisted so I now self inject on a daily basis. It has taken 18 months or more but I am now feeling the benefit. It has been 2 1/2 years since the initial start of my treatment so be patient.

Numbness, stinging & burning has almost gone albeit I do get the occassional set back I feel so much more motivated and can now get through my day.

Stick with it.

[pitney]

Good luck and i hope you find that you notice improvement soon😀best wishes

[Delilahmy]

Hi Mikey … great news to hear you are on the way to restoring health …. Are you taking any cofactors …. Folic acid needed when injecting and also ask to have your vitamin D levels checked ….. I’m sure there may be other things to test and I hope the fabulous people on this forum can advise you … fantastic journey ahead

[MikeyO in reply to Delilahmy]

hello Myish. The multivitamin I plan to take has 400mcg of folic acid as well as other essential B vitamins.

My next blood test, I’ll be sure to ask my GP to test my vitamin D, although I already supplement daily with vitamin d3

I’m not too versed on cofactors. Coyly you elaborate on this Myish? Thanks

[Delilahmy in reply to MikeyO]

hi Mikey … I take folic acid 5mg when injecting … I also take vit d as mine has been 30 … now improved to 50 …. I can’t load my link to cofactors … maybe if you post a request for cofactors one of the group can upload a link… sorry

[jade_s in reply to Delilahmy]

This group doesn't keep a cofactors document so it's probably from one of the facebook b12 groups.

Folic acid is really the only cofactor for B12, because the processes that use up b12 also need folate. I also take 5mg because i inject daily, but some people have a bad reaction to high doses. And the general wisdom on this forum was/is to only supplement folic acid if levels are low... but if we can be functionally b12 deficient, why not functionally folate deficient, where blood levels look fine but it's not getting into the cells. So personally I think folic acid or some sort of folate can be important.

Many people also take a B complex to help balance out the other B vitamins, but it needs to contain less than 10mg B6, as it can be toxic in high doses.

Other things that you should test first & then supplement are Vit D, iron. And periodically retest to make sure you're not oberdosing, as both can be toxic when levels are too high.

Many people also take magnesium, either as a Vit D cofactor, or because they're low, and/or for the muscles and brain. Vit C is useful together with iron, and some recent discussions on here said that Vit C is used during the nerve myelination (healing) process.

A full thyroid test is always good too, as it's not uncommon in people with B12D. Tests to get are TSH, FT4, FT3, antibodies.

tagging MikeyO

[Delilahmy in reply to jade_s]

thanks Jade … it is the Facebook group …. Thanks for the reply …