ways to cope with low energy?

[Asb2]

yesterday my lab results came back with 184pg/ ml and my doctor ordered b12 injections once a week for next month. I got an injection yesterday evening and thought I felt better and now not really sure. As I have read I learned it takes time. I was previously active (necessary for my anxiety and self fulfillment) and not being able to even walk a mile is really throwing me of. Anyone have coping mechanisms to stay healthy/ workout that doesn’t exhaust? Also I have no energy to socialize but don’t want to get further depressed and isolated.

[charks]

Hi Asb,

We've all been there, There is no treatment that will help apart from B12. And your GP obviously doesn't know what he's doing. Like most of our GPs. Once a week will only give you slight relief. You need an intensive course of B12 to raise your levels enough to be able to function normally.

The chances are that you will never be able to convince your GP to give you the treatment you need. Luckily you have joined this forum. Read about our experiences. I think you will end up with DIY treatment like most of us.

Sorry I couldn't be more positive. But I despair of the current treatment of B12D. We are still in the dark ages.

[Asb2 in reply to charks]

I thought of your insight and did wonder if I needed more than by doc gave. I called an iv place that gives b12 and the lady there thought I needed more too. 4 mg in a iv bag and hope to feel the difference. It was $$ but just want to see if it works. Is there such thing as too much to fast? Worried my doc will be mad

[charks in reply to Asb2]

You can't overdose on B12. Which makes treating yourself much more feasible. But you can't keep going to private clinics, you will end up bankrupt. And a 4mg iv treatment is over kill - much more than is needed. You need a steady supply not feast and famine.

I think you will probably end giving up with your GP and self injecting. It seems scary but loads of people manage it. I am lucky and find oral B12 works for me. But I have to take a vast amount. Maybe you could try that first. If you want I can PM you with my protocol.

Don't despair. One way or another you will sort this out and get back to your normal self. I was in a terrible state but now I go on 5 mile walks twice a week.

[Nackapan]

It's early days.Once a week is the favoured b12 regime in some countries.

It takes time.

Injections shoukd continue and not stopped though until no further improvement . (neuro symptoms ,headaches ect.l)

A maintenence regime takes a while to work out for each individual.

Is your diet okay?

Have yih had the IFAB trst .

Useful but if negative csn still be PA .

An absorbtion problem will need b12 maintenence for life.

I had 6 njections over 2 weeks as the guidelines in the UK.

I found this too Intense triggering migraines and tinnitus and a host t of other things .

Our bodies take years at times to gradually deplete b12.

It kept me sane realising no quick fix .

My level was very low .

Hopefully you were 'caught ' earlier and will get some relief soon.

I had to learn ' Cawthorne ' pysio exercises and general body conditioning low key exercises. Initially brdbound with vertigo.

I still can't walk far but continue up to build it up over the yesrs .

I also used to cycle, swim walk ect and have a physical job.

Initially I tried to 'push through ' when I coukd but that was a mistake with this condition.

Has your folate,vit D ,ferritin ,iron,thyroid been checked ?

Keep copies of blood results.

Reference rages worth quoting on posts as differ !

You will improve as your body starts repair.

T c

[Asb2 in reply to Nackapan]

my ferretin was high but thyroid and d and iron were good! Thank you for advice!

[Treesong2023]

Sorry to hear you are feeling do fatigued, and being tired will affect your mood. Do keep that in your mind. But you have a diagnosis, and in time, and with more b12 things should improve. Do keep that in mind as well. 😀👍. It's a good thing. Like you, I am a social animal, but in the end I could not keep up with my active energy life. But I told my friends why. That took tons of pressure off me. I also built in an afternoon nap in my day. 30 mins makes a difference. I took up painting and drawing as a hobby. As you can sit and talk as you do this. I love my art classes which are run locally. So my message is, think how you can try new things as you recover. Explain your situation, tons of people get nutritional problems. As Nackapan says, it's a long road to get that energy back. So, invest some time in getting ready for it, get more knowledge of your condition as well. This lessens anxiety for me. Perhaps look around at how others got the right frequency of B12 loading etc as Charks suggests. But be positive, you have a way forward. Play it smart. I wish you well.

[JadeRR]

Hello! Sorry to hear that you’re feeling very fatigued. I too had a great deal of fatigue at the beginning but this has improved and I am thankfully able to do walks and regular exercise nowadays. At the start, I think it was important to just let my body rest, as although I wasn’t exercising, my body was working hard using up all that B12. Once, I felt a little stronger, I found that very short walks (or even a picnic if the walk is too much but you feel the need to get outside), very gentle yoga (you could look at post injury yoga or pregnancy related ones on YouTube) and eventually gentle swims (even just walking in the pool or doing slow leg movement) were all very helpful. It did take a while and I had to be very kind to myself about not always manage to finish everything but I think it did all help. When it comes to isolation, I also explained it to my friends and people came to visit me at home (regular FaceTimes helped too). Reading and listening to audiobooks was great for me as I could escape like that. You could also get into game playing online with or without friends, there are lots of fun ones to try. Hope you feel better soon x

[Asb2]

they think I have an absorbing issue because my diet is fine. A few months ago my ferretin was high- not sure what that means. Out of desperation I did go to an iv clinic and get 4mg of b12 in the methylcobalamine. Form and the lady said that’s 4x the amount a gp usually gives. Scary to go outside to a doc recommendation and scared of the concept of too much- but I’m miserable with too little. charks

[B12life]

If your kidney and liver function has been tested and fine, I would say do daily or EOD injections. That is the best way to cope as it took me a year of doing that to get energy. So find a doc that will help you and get you the prescription and training. If they don't want to do daily, talk them into twice a week and have them train you then get your own supplies online and do it daily. That's what I did.

Aside from that, just rest a lot and minimize as much as possible all the things you do. i had to narrow my priorities to, doc visits, b12 injections and work. I was so exhausted I would shower and be exhausted and couldn't get to the store often, so I just simplified everything.

Now after doing injections for 2 years and still doing them, I can live life normally for the most part. You found the right forum! Don't hesitate to ask questions. Be patient with yourself and. your progress.