B12 Deficiency Injections

[LittleBearinaBigWorld]

Hi there,

I have to start having B12 injections. I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences of having the same? How long might it take for symptoms to go, how long might I have to have the injections for?

I also have to start taking Vitamin D supplements. Many thanks.

Just to add - do the injections hurt? The last one I had was straight into my stomach to thin my blood and it hurt so much, I think that's why I'm worried.

Hi, I've been having the injections for over 20 years and I'll be having them for the rest of my life. I usually feel the difference within 24 hours.

They do hurt a little bit, I would describe it as though someone had pressed on a bruise, but as soon as the injection is finished the discomfort goes away. And it is so worth the discomfort

I have a B12 injection every 3 months, it’s injected into the top of my arm, hurts no more than a scratch at the time but makes my arm feel dead for the rest of the day. Nurse told me it would take about 3 or 4 injections untill levels are up.
I also take adcal D3 twice a day long term and feel much better for it.

Hello. I’ve had them too and they can be a bit sting-y when it goes in and then as PP says, achy like a bruise, but just grit your teeth and get through it, it doesn’t last long.

Hope you’re soon feeling better. It’s difficult to say how long it took to work as it’s a gradual thing. I now take sub lingual (dissolve under the tongue) b12 tablets instead so once your loading doses are done this might be worth looking at. You need the methyl ones not cyano

I also have injections every three months. If you have them in your arms you should alternate arms with each injection. It is a bit sore at first but goes away quickly. I feel the benefits really quickly.

Thank you for all the replies. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable knowing what to expect!

I started injecting myself (and gradually feel so much better for it!). I do it at the top of my arm and yes, I do find it painful when the liquid goes in. I find that doing it very slowly helps. No pain or discomfort whatsoever once I take the needle out.

Just a quick update:

I went to the doctor's on Tuesday and they did more blood tests, then sent me off with a prescription for the B12 injecting stuff and some Vitamin D oil drinking medicine stuff (so technical, I know!!) - I'm booked in with them to get these injections every other day, it's a right farce getting there too!

I have them although ours aren't just b12, they include b6 too iirc.

I have never had one in my arm, always the top of my bum. I wont lie, it does burn a bit, and I get a dead leg afterwards. You do get a bit of a metallicy taste in your mouth, but it goes away quite soon after.

I am not in UK though, perhaps reason for difference in injection content and where they give it to you.

these injections every other day

Sorry I only noticed this bit now. Usually one injection lasts 4-6 weeks so what I referred to in my previous post might be a very different thing to what you are having.

All the best OP, sure you will feel better after.

I have mine every other day.

Stings a bit but you get used to it.

What are they to treat?

I'm not sure exactly what it is they're treating - I went to the doctor's initially because I'm absolutely knackered all the time and I'm always cold even when the heating is on full whack. My blood tests came back abnormal which deficiencies in Vitamin D and B12, I got given these little pouches of oil to take for the Vitamin D once a week, and then daily supplements from then, and then a series of injections for the B12, and something about it being monitored afterwards.

B12 deficiency can make you tired, lethargic and cold, plus many other side effects.

If left untreated it can cause depression and infertility. So it can be serious and needs to be kept on top of.

I'm 25 and have them every 3 months for the last 2 years, best thing ever. I was so so tired constantly then found out my b12 was very low.

The injections help tremendously and make you feel human again!

May I ask why you can't just take B12 tablets? Sorry, just genuinely interested.

I have been feeling very low - it would be a very logical explanation!

With regards to infertility, would that be 'reversed' so to speak once the B12 had been made normal again? Sorry, that sounds really horrible reading it back but I can't think of a way to phrase it any better.

My mum had to have injections of B12 when she was pregnant with me. I'm terrified of infertility, I'm not at the age I'd want to conceive yet but I know I want children in the future.

I'm not sure why I can't just have tablets, but I think with the Vitamin D they wanted to really increase my levels because they were majorly low and then I have to stay on supplements indefinitely once they're up?

My Vit D was low I was just given tablets to take 2 a week for 7 weeks. My level was 19 not sure if that’s too high for injections or if tablets will just fix it?

May I ask why you can't just take B12 tablets? Sorry, just genuinely interested

I think the injection might be a higher dose than tablets. I'm on tablets due to very low ferritin and B12 but nurse said if tablets aren't showing any improvement I'll have to have the injections. Blood test is next week (been on them nearly 3 months, plus iron... feel zero difference).

Front what I was told, you get them every other day initially then once a week or something then down to oncelebrate every 3 months the rest of the time, so like in stages

May I ask why you can't just take B12 tablets?

For me it’s because my body can’t absorb the B12 in pill form very well due to surgery I’ve had.

B12 and D can be difficult to digest & process

D at 19 is very low - have you had it rechecked? After 2 yrs or so supplementation I got mine from a low 26 to adequate......which I guess is around 40/50

Generally if B12 deficiency hasn't been going on for decades it 's symptoms are quite reversable (in normal circumstances) although you might find 12 weeks isn't often enough

You might want to get Folate checked too and supplement with folic acid or methyl folate if that's low too

There is lots of info on FB/internet about it

Castiel that sounds like what I've got - one every other day starting Monday and then some not as close together.

I'm guessing my levels must have been quite low for them to not just put me on tablets?

Well good luck with it OP because I think I might be joining you shortly after if all my levels are still low on next blood test! My B12, ferritin and Folalte were all really low, nurse said the state of my red blood cells are shocking so hoping for some improvement soon! Hope the injections start doing their magic for you soon

Thank you Castiel, and best of luck to you too, wishing you the best of health.

Hi littlebear, I have these 3 monthly now (first had them ages ago in pregnancy, then no one thought to do a blood test after, then last year had test and was deficient +parietal cell antibodies so apparently I now need them for life!)
They only sting a tiny bit! I am a huge wimp about needles but have been ok with them. After, my arm feels a bit bruised for a couple of days but that's it. Nowhere near as nasty as your previous experience so don't panic :)