Help please

[Andypandy30]

I am really struggling.i usually self inject every week and have tried to keep that up but had two bad infections with antibiotics .my thyroid levels were off and I discovered my folate was low at 5 .due to all this my anxiety got bad and doctor prescribed diazepam .I have lost my way re my b12 injections and I don't know how to continue .I am trying to keeo folate up but my appetite has been so poor and I cannot stomach the folic acid tablets .I'm afraid to take my b12 injection in case it lowers my folate levels dramatically .and i am also worried about taking my b12 today as i hve already taken diazepam for anxiety this morning

[Nackapan]

I had diazipam and continued with EOD B12 injections .I was prescribed 2mg diazipam 3x a day.

For me it was for migraines .

And head pain/ brain activity .

I took 1mg ( pill cutter) to see how I reacted. That was enough just before bedonly to calm my brain activity so I could sleep.

Also gave relief from body pains.

Its addictive.

So I hope thr G.p explained this to you.

I didn't get any advice .

G.p knew I'd underdose and I think suprised I accepted prescription.

I needed something to calm everything down

My nervous system was on overdrive and I eas in alot of pain.

I did as it is a drug you can just have when needed rather than every day like other drugs .

You have to take control of it .

Rather than it take control though.

Do carry on with your B12 Injections.

If anything after antibiotics you need more not less.

Don't worry about folate .

Take s lower dose folic acid tablet or in a multivit.

Orange juice ect .

Anxiety is a known b12 deficiency symptom .

Hope your symptoms calm soon so you can reduce the diazipam or just use it to sleep at night .

[Andypandy30 in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you .im feeling anxious about everything to be honest and have lost my way a bit .I am worried about folate as no one else seems to have the same symptoms as me .my folate is at 5 but due to not tolerating folic acid very well I'm afraid taking a B12 injevtion will lower my folate further

[Tanitha in reply to Andypandy30]

You must be feeling wretched. Have you tried methylfolate? I found Nutrisorb liquid methylfolate good as you can adjust the dose easily.

[Andypandy30 in reply to Tanitha]

I cannot tolerate methylfolate from trying that years ago .I'm so sensitive to everything

[Mixteca in reply to Andypandy30]

Folinic acid would be another option. Did the methylfolate you tried have fillers etc? I take 400mcg of methyl from Health Leads. My folate level was 5 and I got it up to 24 in a few months after doubling it to 800mcg. If you're injecting frequently you really need levels of between 15-20 for B12 to work effectively, ditto adequate levels of ferritin.

[Nackapan in reply to Andypandy30]

My folate level was 5 .( range up to 26)Try a low dose folic acid dose.

Drink orange juice as easy .

And of course greens .

Get a blood test to check iron ferritin vit D ect .

At the beginning j had them 4 monthly ax needed to supplement iron.

My folatd rose quickly on a very low supplement to above range in 3 months.

At the time I was having EOD B12 injections .

Om also sensitive to everything.

[Jeep13 in reply to Nackapan]

Take daily for 90 days.

[Tanitha]

It's so difficult to find something that suits, I know. Sometimes it's the fillers and the fixed dose which affects us, it's impossible to tell, which is why I like liquid as you can start with just one drop and build from there. Just a thought, have you checked your Vitamin D? I find when mine is low I become very anxious. It's odd because it's a very specific feeling unlike anything else I experience.

[Andypandy30 in reply to Tanitha]

What are these symptoms like for you

[Tanitha]

The best way to describe it is like an irrational fear to the slightest thing to which I can see no solution, I can't shake off as it follows me around and wakes me from sleep. It's different to when I was hypothyroid where I could literally see a black cloud on the horizon before I was engulfed in a feeling of dread. Sounds dramatic but it's very real at the time.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

I have been noting your posts asking for help both here and on the Thyroid forum.

I know you are having a hard time lately, and hope you get answers.

You may have problems with the antibiotics wiping out your B12. When I was at my worst a few years ago, I was prone to infections and found it difficult to get rid of them. certain antibiotics would make things harder: vertigo and continual headache, such that I could not easily lift my head from sofa without the room spinning.

I continued my antibiotic course, each time, but still reported symptoms to GP. Worth having on record.

My ferritin and folate can still be blippy at times and are not now regularly monitored, so I watch out for things like hair loss. I have to guess what I need to do now, so currently taking a multivitamin and mineral twice a week. Hoping that's enough.

You having also got a thyroid problem/ flare-up takes this far out of my remit or comfort zone. I don't know much about thyroid, although two of my sisters have Grave's disease. Perhaps Marz has some advice. She helped me to get the test I needed and helped interpret results.

All I can do is wish you well - with all my heart.

[Littledancingtiger]

Not much I can help with but I’m experiencing the exact same issues as you re: antibiotic courses, thyroid issues and dropping folate levels. I am having a horrible time after contracting Covid and suspect I’ve developed MCAS (which seems to happen to some in long Covid) and Covid has hurt my gut microbiome which has in turn been made further worse by the antibiotics. I am really struggling to get right.

I can tolerate a modest amount of folic acid as a liquid, easy to titrate as dosed with a syringe. Worth asking GP if they will prescribe for you. Not sure of your reactions to it but you might find you can tolerate it in a modest b complex rather than by itself.

All I can do is recommend looking at alternative practitioners if you need help although this is expensive and not a guaranteed cure. I’m having to go down this route as I am getting nowhere fast.

Sending you much sympathy as I’m in exactly the same boat but do hope things are easier for you and work out.

Do feel free to PM if you want support.