B12 Question- Sorry I am lost

[scottishsouth]

HI folks,

First time posting so be gentle. I was diagnosed a number of years ago as B12 deficient. I think maybe linked to long term omeprazole use for gastritis. I tend to be on the early side of my 3 monthly injections but have noticed this time I have slightly let it slip to just over this time. I am awaiting a new prescription this week and will get this done. However my symptoms are quite severe this time. Headaches, increased anxiety, muscle pain all over my body, no energy, no appetite, low mood. Is this normal? Should I speak to my GP to see if they need to be more frequent than 3 months?

[Nackapan]

Yes.B12 frequency 2-3 monthly .

2 monthly with neurology symptoms.

Alot of us need more .

B12 Injections shoukd ideally be given before symptoms return.

Welcome to the forum

[Jillymo]

This is jillymo being gentle with you..... 🤗

I twisted my Drs arm and managed to get my injections 2 monthly so do explain your symptoms and ask for more frequent injections.

Many of us have been where you are and have had to push for our injections or had to resort to self injecting. We are a friendly bunch on here and try to offer advice if we can. 🤗

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

I thought this link about writing letters to GP about B12 deficiency might be useful.

It has letter templates.

b12info.com/writing-to-your...

Some UK B12 websites

Pernicious Anaemia Society

pernicious-anaemia-society....

B12info.com

b12info.com/

The B12 Society

theb12society.com/

B12d.org

b12d.org/

I'm not medically trained.

[Wwwdot]

Hi Scottishsouth

Welcome to the forum.

Most on here are gentle and supportive so please never worry about posting here.

Yes, it sounds like you need more frequent B12 injections the future as symptoms returning means the next injection is too late. Take a look at the NICE guidelines 2024 on B12 diagnosis and management as your treatment with Omeprazole appears to fall into one of the recognised causes of B12 deficiency.

It may be worth getting a blood test too to check cofactors and vitamins such as folate, potassium, vitamin D and iron as B12 doesn’t work in isolation.

If you can keep a simple diary too of symptoms and how you feel vs activity you do (or not!) so that you have evidence to support more frequent injections if needs be. And don’t worry about injections being too frequent as B12 is water soluable and not toxic in excess as any not needed is peed out.

Are you still taking Omeprazole? Lack of appetite can be associated with low B12 but also with too low stomach acid which can be an outcome of longterm use of Proton Pump Inhibitors of which Omeprazole is one. It may be worth considering whether it is possible to adopt other ways to manage your gastritis moving forward.

Anyway, welcome again and best of luck.

🤶🤶🤶

[Hockey_player]

Yes- this is normal when not getting enough B12. Different people have different requirements for it. Some people on this forum inject every day. I have my husband give me an injection once per week because my toes get tingly within 3 weeks.

[Annamaudebug]

I’m in California and I personally think every 3 months is NOT enough. I self-inject every 4 weeks and sometimes sooner. My body lets me know if I need it sooner than 4 weeks, but 4 weeks seems to be ideal for me. I obtain my B12 and needles from a pharmacy in Canada with no prescription required though I have one.

[ClareP5 in reply to Annamaudebug]

Would you please DM me your Canada pharmacy info - sister in USA is shipping her b12 in from Germany! Thanks

[Annamaudebug in reply to ClareP5]

Sent..

[Oneash]

Are you still on the omeprazole?Honestly stop the stress by taking control of your own supplies and inject when you need it.