Anyone had/having B12 injections? How long till you felt better?

[MySunnyDay]

I have just finished a course of 6 loading B12 injections. My b12 was 119 ng/l. I had actually gone to the Drs to talk about upping my HRT as I thought my symptoms were related to the menopause (I'm 51). Symptoms - ridiculously tired (even after good rest) and zero energy, light headed and feeling 'faint' but not actually fainting, really bad brain fog, pins and needles in face, hands and feet, and a weird sensation in my tongue. Some of the pins and needles have eased off after the injections and on some days in between injections I did feel like I had a bit more energy. But today, after my last injection yesterday I feel worse than ever. I feel like I can't move and I am someone who is good at pushing though tiredness etc. The Dr seemed to think I would be feeling better by the end of the course?

I'm just interested to hear about other people's experience with low B12 and recovery? How long did it take? I'm wondering if I'm expecting too much too soon.

I have to go back for a blood test for pernicious anemia next week. In some ways I hope that test comes back positive because if it doesn't I'm scared I'm going to feel like this for the rest of my life (there was nothing else in the bloods to indicate anything else was deficient). I think the Dr said I would have another injection in 12 weeks if it is pernicious anemia. If it's not PA she is going to prescribe B12 tablets. Although this doesn't make sense to me as I must have a problem absorbing B12 as my diet is very rich in B12 (not vegan or vegetarian).

Be interested to hear about anyone else's experience.

when I mentioned my B12 injections to a friend she said she has come across two ther people recently who have been diagnosed with PA. She had never heard of it before

People tend to use "Pernicious Anemia" and "B12 Deficiency" interchangeably when they are actually not the same. B12 deficiency is fairly common, especially as we age. Certain stomach conditions or use of reflux meds can cause B12 absorption issues. PA however is an autoimmune disease that results in the stomach lining being unable to absorbed B12 - hence the injections v/s oral supplements.

Interesting about your gall bladder issues. Wonder if that played a role? Were you taking proton pump inhibitors prior to your surgery?

@GulfCoastBeachGirl no I wasn't taking anything for the gall bladder issue. I didn't have classic gall bladder symptoms (no attacks etc.). I had a scan due to some upper abdominal pain and they found gall stones and scarring on the gall bladder. I was put forward for surgery with a kind of "better out than in" approach. It's quite mad really as I've heard of people waiting years to be put forward for surgery..... And, I still have the random abdominal pains which has now been put down to IBS.....

Good luck tomorrow @Lostinbrum I would emphasize the neurological symptoms you are having. That is what persuaded my GP to start the injection treatment.

@MySunnyDay Well hopefully you just have a deficiency that will respond to supplements or injections. Actual PA is a lifelong condition that carries an increased risk of stomach cancer, so not a great diagnosis😒I'll keep my fingers crossed that your antibody test comes back negative!

Thanks @GulfCoastBeachGirl Fingers crossed for both of us. Hopefully the fact you are receiving treatment is positive for you long term.

I got them several years ago. It certainly got my b12 back into the normal ranges, but I didn't feel any better. Didn't help me a bit, although everyone was telling me how great I would feel once I got them. Turns out I have MS which wasn't on anyone's radar (me or my dr at the time.) I had numbness in my hands, a twitching eye, numbness in my tongue and crippling fatigue.

I'm obviously on medicine now for that and have been stable ever since and feel better than I have in years.

You probably need to search - hydroxocobalamin b12 ampullen - there's much less choice post brexit unfortunately

There's a brilliant forum on Facebook that will tell you everything you need to know re B12, self injecting, how rubbish nhs is at dealing with this. Not sure If I'm allowed to mention other forums on here or would give you the name. I self inject, it's really easy as is getting the b12 from Germany.

I got them several years ago. It certainly got my b12 back into the normal ranges, but I didn't feel any better. Didn't help me a bit, although everyone was telling me how great I would feel once I got them. Turns out I have MS which wasn't on anyone's radar

@PrestonHood121 This is a very good point. If your B12 levels are normal and the injections aren't improving your symptoms then I think it's worthwhile to consider another diagnosis. I think a lot of people hang their symptoms on B12 when it could very well be another condition altogether.

I'm glad you got the correct diagnosis and found a treatment that is working for you.

I also sourced my own supplies and self inject, every 3 months is just not enough to recover. Join pernicious anemia/b12 deficiency support group on Facebook. So much information and advice on there, I’d be very unwell still If it wasn’t for that group. Gp’s are no good with vitamin deficiencies. Hope you feel better soon

I got well and truly fobbed off. Doc basically blamed all my symptoms on depression, being a working mum and being 'run down'. Apparently the receptionist who told me on the phone my b12 was abnormal was wrong and the levels arnt bad enough for her to prescribe b12. Got a vit d prescription and triptans for the migraines but it was basically her trying to get me to consider anti depressants. So angry, a man wouldnt have been told ah well you feel like this cos of your mood have some happy pills and be on your way. So I got myself some Vit B12 spray at the pharmacy n will take that anyway.

Mine went down to 70 and by half way through the loading doses I started to feel better. I am now on 12 weekly injections for life but from about 7 weeks I get neurological symptoms. I'm lucky, I didn't need to be pushy with my Dr in the slightest and I've actually asked if I can come off them - I got a withering look and a firm no.

If you're not feeling better it may be you've got another issue alongside it such as your thyroid

Another one who self injects every month, I have Hashimotos ( auto immune thyroiditis) and the Consultant I see for that said my B12 levels were also low, and I had tested positive for intrinsic factor . I had an auntie who had pernicious anaemia too.
I said how low do they need to go? He said very low before we can treat it with injections. So I said I’ve been reading up on it and I’ll self inject then, he said I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that!
I don’t know if that means I have pernicious anaemia ? It’s not on my health records as I self treat but last time he said this and that in normal blood ranges oh and your B12 is up too !
I said oh yes Ive been self injecting that will be why! ( it’s not a sudden miracle)

Sorry for late reply. I'm not tech savvy.
I get my vitamin from 'purolabs'. They say pure vitamin B12, high strength 1000 micrograms (funny 'I'm shape with elongated initial sunstroke of the 'I'm, as in Greek letter). Derived from methylcobalamin.