For Those Who Give Themselves B12 Injections

[TERESE]

I know there are others on this board that give themselves B12 injections. I am having a hard time here.......

In April after I had a vitamin deficency test that showed I was low in B12 and I was feeling like crap (chronic fatigue) (even though I'd been gluten free for 8 months) my Dr. prescribed B12 injections 3 times a week. I did ok giving them in the beginning. Well sort of I had sweaty hands, shakiness, racing heart but it got better and after a few weeks I felt GREAT.The best I'd felt in 4 years. After a while, 4 months or so, the spot that I was giving the injections got so soar (I was moving around a bit so I wasn't going to the same exact spot). Then ZOWIE........ I couldn't do it so I thought I'd wait a few days and the soar spot will go away. I waited 4 or 5 days and tried again and couldn't bring myself to try and now it's been 3 weeks and I hyperventilate just thinking about it. It's not so much the fear of needles but I think it will hurt again. BTW I have tried the sublingual B12 but it upsets my stomach and gives me a headache.

So geez, help here. I could call the Dr. but she charges $25 - $50 for a phone consultation and I don't have insurance. I was told and shown to give them in the upper buttocks/hip area, right side. I use compounded B12 (Methylcobalamin) and a 30 gauge insulin needle.

Q. Is there another place I can give them?

Sure hope my insulin resistance doesn't turn into diabetes or I'd be up a creek!

Oh Yea, I'm back to feeling like crap!

[mouse]

Can anyone else give you your shot. My husband gave me mine and we moved from each buttock to each thigh. So, he would only hit one specific area every 4 shots. I did not have a problem, because of the rotation.

[KrisT]

I'm sorry your having to go through this. I don't have to give myself injections, but for many years I suffered from panic/anxiety disorder which causes the panic attacks like you are experiencing.

Before you get ready to give yourselfan injection try doing a little bit of self hypnosis. Close your eyes and think of sitting in the most relaxing place you can think of. Try to see all of your surroundings and even sense the smells there. Then imagine the needle. Imagine holding it andgetting ready to inject it. As you prepare to inject think of the needle as the inanimate object that it is... it can't hurt you unless you let it hurt you. Now imagine the needle going in and feeding your body with a beautiful healing bright white stream of energy... try to see the while stream of liquid as it goes into your body and flows easily through your tissue to the bloodstream. Imagine that the liquid is immediately pulled away from the injection site and deposited directly into the bloodstream. Take a few long slow deep breaths. Now go and get your B12 injection and create the same experience that you just imagined.

I hope this helps!

[marciab]

I am a wooze too. I almost passed out everytime in the beginning. I had to start by just getting used to looking at the needle. And now, if I don't get it in the first time I get woozy.

I give them to myself on the top and to the right a little of my right thigh where I am extra meaty. I sit on the toilet and do it. Less chance of falling over.

BTW, I was told only to do this every 2 weeks because even though it would not hurt you, it was a waste of money. Your body will hold B12 for 2 weeks. Who really knows, though.

I use 25 5/8" right now, but they are actually too big for me. If you are skinny, you can use a smaller guage. I'm getting a smaller one next time.

Marcia

[TERESE]

Mouse

Nobody here will give my shots but thanks.

KrisT

Thank you, I know I need to relax. In the last 4 yrs. Iv'e had trouble with panic attacks. I'm going to give it a try.

Marcia

I was thinking I should be able to give them in my thigh but Dr. didn't tell me so didn't try! Thanks

Oh and I had a thought ..........through the brain fog..........

I have a hair appt. this afternoon and the gal works out of her home and is also a nurse. I'm going to bring them along and have her help me

[trents]

Terese,

I read on the internet about a year or so ago that it has been discovered that even people with pernicious anemia can address the disease effectively with oral B12 taken in mega doses. I think ti was like 2000 to 4000 mcg. Apparently, even with pernicious anemia the body is still capable of assimilating some B12 from the gut, albeit a very small percentage. You might want to do some research in this area.

Steve

[TERESE]

Terese,

I read on the internet about a year or so ago that it has been discovered that even people with pernicious anemia can address the disease effectively with oral B12 taken in mega doses. I think ti was like 2000 to 4000 mcg. Apparently, even with pernicious anemia the body is still capable of assimilating some B12 from the gut, albeit a very small percentage. You might want to do some research in this area.

Steve

Thanks Steve, I was taking 1000 mcg in oral form before the injections and it didn't help. I'll look into this.

Funny thing is I've not been told I have pernicious anemia but the Dr. did note on my chart that my high MCV was from a B12 deficiency.

[trents]

Terese,

I found this on the net. It's not what saw before but it is along the same line.

"Pernicious anemia has been estimated to be present in approximately 2 % of individuals over 60 (5). Although anemia is often a symptom, the condition is actually the end stage of an autoimmune inflammation of the stomach, resulting in destruction of stomach cells by one's own antibodies. Progressive destruction of the cells that line the stomach cause decreased secretion of acid and enzymes required to release food bound vitamin B12. Antibodies to intrinsic factor (IF) bind to IF preventing formation of the IF-B12 complex, further inhibiting vitamin B12 absorption. If the body's vitamin B12 stores are adequate prior to the onset of pernicious anemia, it may take years for symptoms of deficiency to develop. About 20% of the relatives of pernicious anemia patients also have pernicious anemia, suggesting a genetic predisposition. Treatment of pernicious anemia generally requires injections of vitamin B12, bypassing intestinal absorption. High-dose oral supplementation is another treatment option, because consuming 1,000 mcg (1 mg)/day of vitamin B12 orally should result in the absorption of about 10 mcg/day (about 1%) by passive diffusion (3)." Open Original Shared Link

You've already tried 1000 mcg. Maybe 2x or 4x that might do the trick. From what I understand, toxicity is not an issue with B12 in mega doses.

Steve

[jcc]

Thanks Steve, I was taking 1000 mcg in oral form before the injections and it didn't help. I'll look into this.

Funny thing is I've not been told I have pernicious anemia but the Dr. did note on my chart that my high MCV was from a B12 deficiency.

I agree with Steve.... oral B12 does work...and maybe you would do better with a higher dose. The response, however, can be quite variable, depending upon the length and the severity of the deficiency, and the dosage. Most people notice some improvement within three months or so, but it can take quite a bit longer. Sometimes the level comes up quickly and sometimes not.

Some people do better with higher doses (like 5000mcg, rather than 1000-2000mcg), and others with different active forms of the vitamin. I have heard one or two people say they do better with shots, and I'm not going to doubt their word, but many more say they prefer the oral, not only for ease of use, but because they get more consistent control of symptoms (no slump in between shots).

If the oral B12 you were using upset your stomach or gave you a headache, there is a possibility that you were reacting to one of the additives. There are many different types and brands to try. It sounds like your reaction to the shots is WORSE, so I'd really give oral another try, perhaps one that uses a blend of Dibencozide and Methylcobalamin. Also look at which ones have the lesser additives. Do you know what form of the vitamin your subligual tabs were?

The headache might have been a symptom of responding to the B12 / healing. Some of the ride can be unpleasant in early stages of healing. I had a hit by a truck fatigue those first few months of taking B12. Some people experience increased nervous system symptoms before they begin to reduce, because the rebuilding of the nerve can also cause unpleasant symptoms.

I personally have no preference over what other people do in regard to oral vs. shots, but because many doctors aren't aware that the current treatment of choice is oral supplementation, I like to let people know they have a choice.

Check out the B12 deficiency page in The Gluten File (browse down the right side bar). There are many articles and data in regard to dosing, etc.

Not all B12 deficiency is caused by pernicious anemia, but it is the most common cause of B12 deficiency. There are many, many causes for B12 deficiency. 75% of those with pernicious anemia show positive for anti-intrinsic factor or anti-parietal cell antibodies. You might want to check your lab work to see if those were run. Often times, doctors don't really look for WHY one is B12 deficient, they just treat it. (Sadly, some cases of celiac disease are probably missed... as celiac disease is among the other causes for B12 deficiency).

B12 deficiency within the context of celiac disease may be a temporary condition, and self correct once the intestinal damage is corrected. I say this with caution, though, because it is just as possible that you also do have pernicious anemia~ the autoimmune disease causing lack of intrinsic factor. I would never stop taking B12 unless you were being very closely monitored for a drop in level. Most B12 deficiency requires life long treatment, and it just isn't worth risking a relapse.

Cara

A B12er too!