TIRED like crazy after B12 shot - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,672 members24,065 posts

TIRED like crazy after B12 shot

Shipship profile image
11 Replies

So, about a month back, i got my b12 tested and it was 130pg/ml (normal range - 180 to 900) I had all sorts of symptoms, tingling, extreme fatigue, no mental energy at all. So I was put on Injections. Soon after my 3rd and 4th injections, I noticed the next 3 days are terrible. So much weakness and fatigue, body ache, tingling gets even worse.

So I'm not able to understand what's happening?

Does it feel like that initially or has the b12 has overdosed? Should I quit the injections? But then again, My initial symptoms are still there.

Written by
Shipship profile image
Shipship
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
11 Replies
clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support

It is not uncommon for some symptoms to appear to get worse before they get better as the B12 you are having starts repairing the damage done to your nervous system and your brain starts getting multiple messages from part of the body it had "forgotten about" or lost contact with. I sometimes liken it to a badly tuned radio on which you have turned the volume up high trying to catch the programme you want when all of a sudden the signal comes in loud and clear and the blast nearly deafens you.

A lot will depend on the severity and longevity of your B12 deficiency as to how long before there is no further improvement or recovery. Some symptoms will "disappear" quite quickly whereas others may take months or even years. There is no set timescale as we are all different.

If you can get to see a doctor please also ask him/her to check your Iron and Folate level as this and B12 help your iron to make red blood cells and to function properly.

You cannot overdose on vitamin B12 as any excess is excreted by your urine,

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anaemia (one of many causes of B12 deficiency) for more than 51 years and I'm still "clivealive" at the age of 81

I wish you well.

Orchard33 profile image
Orchard33 in reply toclivealive

I read recently that 90% of excess b12 is excreted through the biliary system and only 10% by the kidneys. I was concerned about putting a stress on my kidneys as I age, but not so.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply toOrchard33

Kidney function cam be monitored by blood tests

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

I also got very scared at my response to b12 injections. My initial level was 106 pg/ ml

Like you it's a shock snd rather overwhelming when the b12 level goes up quickly with thd injections from a low level.

Make sure folate ,iron vit D is at a good level.

My symptoms got alot worse.

Migraines ( a first)

Tinnitus

Light sensitivity

Noise sensitivity

Leaden legs

Balance issues continued .

My last extreme symptom before treatment was vertigo after I collapsed.

Vertigo was thr first to resolve.

If nothing else found to treat just go with it.

Keep a diary as so many symptoms hard to track.

It's early days .

It will get better

Shipship profile image
Shipship in reply toNackapan

My Vitamin D also came out to be pretty low. But I didn't start with any supplements. And now that I've taken 5 injections of b12, I have muscle aches, joint pain, fatigue which did not exist earlier. Maybe not its the Vit D acting up. Is there any relation between Vit D and B12?

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply toShipship

I was experiencing what you are in November last year - and try not to worry because it’s a good sign that the damaged and B12 deficient nerves are responding. I now self inject every other day and am about 70% recovered. No debilitating pains or tiredness now but still up and down … and enjoying more frequent ups!

It will get better - just try and rest - I find all over heat helps with the aches and pains like a toasty electric blanket.

Don’t give up and keep positive.

Shipship profile image
Shipship in reply toWwwdot

Thank you so much. I really needed to see this. The post injection effects are so bad. Almost felt like stopping them. But then again, that isn't going to get me better. So will try to hold on!

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply toShipship

mine were so bad that I ended up in bed for two weeks - the pain was so bad. Called “reversing” symptoms when your recovery rather than decline starts - painful my consultant explained the worse the reversing symptoms then the more deficient you were. Thank goodness your body is responding and you are now on that road to recovery. Allow yourself plenty rest, you so deserve as much TLC as possible.

Keep a journal too if treatment and symptoms and activity (including rest!). It will help you fight your corner in future.

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon in reply toShipship

If your vitamin d is extremely low, you can not increase it properly without monitored aggressive supplementation. Both my vitamin d and b12 were found deficient at the same time.

I remember doing very simple things at the time and being fatigued for three days afterwards. I had to work on a productive balance, which was not always easy to do.

----------

Thyroid issues can cause absorption issues with both of vitamin d & b12 , so check that as well.

All the best.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

You cant overdose on b12

WIZARD6787 profile image
WIZARD6787

For me not only was I fatigued and tired I had to learn how to rest and sleep as my body had not done it well for so long.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

B12 Until no further improvement

My 20 year old daughter has been having alternate day b12 injections since the beginning of...
Me2801 profile image

seeing neurologist, advice on b12 injections welcomed…

hi all? have been prescribed with PA. My ferritin levels are normal - 177 Vitamin D- 70....
Damacian profile image

More B12 or not?

Hi all, I haven't posted for a while as I thought I was on the up! However, maintaining good health...
natcap1 profile image

Weird symptoms- B12 deficiency?

Hi, I'm a male 26 y.o. In the last year I started to suffer from unexplained serious symtpoms. The...
El10 profile image

B12 symptoms worse after infection

Hi all, A few months ago I was diagnosed with a b12 deficiency and put on weekly injections for 10...
Rkb12 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.