Has anyone had B12 injections? Did you suffer any side effects?

[Spiderplantseverywhere]

I have not been feeling that great for a number of years. I have several chronic issues (daily IBS and dyspepsia, anxiety/ADHD, endometriosis, adenomyosis). I am constantly tired, in perimenopause and very stressed all the time as my mum has advanced dementia and I help my parents out a lot.

I have not been getting too far with the NHS. Tried HRT, antidepressants, lots of gut medication etc but none have helped me.

I was very iron deficient for years and years and was eventually given iron infusions via my gynecologist (GP couldn't refer for some reason). Whilst my ferritin and iron are now much higher I continue to have low folate levels and my B12 is at the lower end of normal but because my GP has no range for folate (mine is 3), she isn't concerned and as my B12 is low but within lab range there is little she can do (B12 is 300).

She recommended a local Wellbeing clinic, I had a consultation there last week. The clinician has recommended a short course of B12 injections which I will start this week however I am now stressing about side effects. I really don't want to feel rougher than I already do.

Has anyone had B12 shots and how did they leave you feeling?

I have PA so have them every 12 weeks - they sting but no side effects- apart from feeling human again.

With all the symptoms you have i think you are a slam dunk for b12. I would look into it more and read a few papers showing what kinds of people benefit from them, to put your mind at rest. It is quite normal to have low b12 in the brain and show up fine on blood tests and GPs know little about this usually.

If you can, I would also get a 23andme type genetic analysis and then plug it into gene genie which will tell you if you have the mthfr or mtrr variations which make b13 uptake and methylation work badly for you - then, again you can feel confident in the treatment if it turns out to be the case.

Also make sure you are being injected with the hydroxocobalamin version as it is easy to metabolise and less likely to cause more anxiety.

Other supplements around it like folinic acid (not folic acid) are important so ask the wellbeing person, and do some further checking yourself by reading primary papers. Also magnesium glycinate can help alongside as it helps with sleep, b12 affects melatonin production so your sleep can go bouncy for a bit but magnesium really helps.

If the short course helps you can argue for more on the NHS but might also leave you with a maintenance dose that isnt quite enough, you can buy injections and inject yourself over the longer term.

I also have 3 monthly injections and right after I had the course of loading doses I felt amazing despite having just given birth and getting no sleep! I wish I could have them every 8 weeks instead of every 12 as I start feeling terrible before the next one is due.

@Burgerqueenbee you can get more and inject yourself if you think it would help. My family all needs weekly or twice weekly. The effects of not getting it if you need it can be permanently damaging to the myelin sheaths around nerves, affecting things like eyesight.

I'm not recommending reckless random injecting but anyone who has this condition would really benefit from looking things up about it. (and of course not quackery YouTube stuff but proper academic papers)

I’ve been having B12 injections every 3 months since 1978 as can’t absorb from food due to malabsorption issues. No problems ever although the injections do really sting. It was picked up from blood work prior to surgery and I was told your liver can store large amounts of B12 so unlikely to ever become symptomatic and I never have.

Your folate (folic acid) should be between 4 and 20 according to Google so youre gp is needing to get her finger out and prescribe it.

You can buy it if needs be but I feel like shes not taking your health seriously. She should have done more for you. shes let you drop so low. It’s wrong. I’d change doctor.

you will feel so very much better aftwr your b12 is sorted. Neither I or my friends (all peri) have any side effects from our prescribed jabs, which the practice nurse delivers in the arm. I sit for 30 seconds and then leave. It is uncomfy at the time and sometimes I tell her to go slower as it doesn’t hurt at all then 🤣 but defo changed my life.

How I'd love to feel human again!

Thank you. I have changed surgery and see a new GP tomorrow so fingers crossed that she may be more on the ball and can help me, I have truly had enough of feeling like crap day in and day out.

They do sting and then a few days later you feel like superwoman!

I think the minimum time allowed between injections is 10 weeks. Ask your GP for a blood test just before your next injection is due to see if you would benefit from a shorter interval.

Jumping in here with some questions..
I think my mum used to have B12 injections and wonder if I ought to now. Am 59, and have healthy mostly plant based diet. But gosh I feel tired! Would my GP be receptive to me suggesting it?

You’ll need folic acid (5mg) daily to get your folate levels high enough to absorb the B12. Take it daily but on the injection day, an hour before it.

To save you money, you could get 1 paid for injection at a clinic then buy your own from Germany. Chances are you need every other day injections to stand a chance of feeling better. I needed every other day for nearly 3 years!

Word of warning - many people feel worse before they feel better, but it’s worth powering through. You’ll likely find you break out in spots too as it’s a detox vitamin!

Have you been taking supplements containing b12 if you don’t eat food containing b12?

if you have, a blood test won’t show you a deficiency as it will be a false high. If you haven’t, it’s worth getting checked. You absolutely should always supplement B12 if eating a vegan diet. However, a family history of needing B12 injections makes it tricky as you won’t absorb it from tablets if you have the same condition.

Some people can't absorb B12 from food. It's something you can get tested for (results not definitive).

No side effects but agree the injection itself stings. Only lasts a few seconds though

I had them from the GP because I was so deficient. It took me a good few months to feel better, I definitely didn’t get the immediate impact that some get. In fact I probably didn’t feel 100% until after I’d had the 12 months course. All I remember from the winter of that year is that I was absolutely freezing all the time, I just could not get warm! I’m assuming it was the injections but I didnt actually ask.

My only other side effect was that I had massive sore cyst-y spots on my arm/back/chest on the side I’d got my most recent injection, it’s apparently not uncommon.

I had 6 loading injections in August - my only side effect was acne. I say "only" - it was horrendous and still hasn't fully calmed down. I still get a lot of wake-up symptoms, but feel a huge amount better than I did before the deficiency was discovered - but it did take some time to notice a difference. My levels were under 150 (my GP said they don't get the exact number - not sure if that is the case everywhere or just in NI) but were over 2000 the week following my 6th injection.

I was tested for PA, but test was negative, which the GP was surprised about (as I also have another autoimmune condition) but that now puts in issue if I will keep being prescribed injections. I do believe my deficiency is caused by a malabsorption issue as I do eat animal products plus have taken a multivit for years which contains B12, so there is always a steady flow of it going into my stomach.

I am due to have bloods done again shortly to see what the B12 level is after 3 months - I dread ever feeling the way I did before. It will be interesting to see if it has dropped as I have noticed some numbness again in my lower leg on and off.

If you're on Facebook, check out the vitamin b12 wake up group. Hat has excellent advice on the supplements you'll need to make sure the b12 has best effect. In addition to the folic acid already mentioned, you'll need to ensure you eat potassium rich foods on day of injection to minimise side effects.

Thank you, I will do that.