This is topic B12 Injections: Red Urine in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by Kat1777 (Member # 39231) on :
 
And now my urine is red. Is this normal to happen after my very first shot? I only injected 50 units (half a mL). I wish my doctor had mentioned it when he prescribed the B12. If I hadn't done a lot of research before injecting myself and heard this was possible, I probably would have thought I had a kidney infection. I'm already not sure about this whole thing. Doing something to my body that it wouldn't do on its own just doesn't seem right to me.
 
Posted by LAXlover (Member # 25518) on :
 
Just had a thought: You didn't eat any beets in the last day or two did you??

I've had b12 injections before but that didn't turn my urine red.

Hope you are doing better soon.
 
Posted by Kat1777 (Member # 39231) on :
 
No, no beets. I looked this up and it says it's normal. In fact, I think it's a sign that I actually got the vitamin in the muscle like I was supposed to. Doesn't look or feel normal, though. [Frown]
 
Posted by katieb (Member # 11398) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Kat1777:
No, no beets. I looked this up and it says it's normal. In fact, I think it's a sign that I actually got the vitamin in the muscle like I was supposed to. Doesn't look or feel normal, though. [Frown]


 
Posted by katieb (Member # 11398) on :
 
I just started b12 injections and I had the same issue with red urine. I wasn't alarmed by this because the b12 in the syringe is red.
 
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
 
Here is what Burrascano says:

"METHYLCOBALAMIN (Methyl B12)

Methylcobalamin is a prescription drug derived from vitamin B12. This can help to heal problems with the central and peripheral nervous system, improve depressed immune function, and help to restore more normal sleeping patterns. Many patients note improved energy as well. Because the oral form is not absorbed when swallowed or dissolved under the tongue, Methyl B12 must be taken by injection. Dose is generally 25 mg. (1 c.c.) daily for 3 to 6 months. Long term studies have never demonstrated any side effects from this drug.

However, the urine is expected to turn red shortly after each dose- if the urine is not red, a higher dose may be needed or the present supply may have lost potency. The injectable form of this is not available in regular drug stores. It must be manufactured (compounded) by specialty pharmacies on order." (page 29)

http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/B_guidelines_12_17_08.pdf

There are some on this forum who have recently said their urine doesn't turn red on the B12 injections. That indicates to me that they are VERY low on the B12. It is likely some excess B12 getting filtered out quickly that makes the urine red temporarily.

So, I think you should be happy if the urine turns red. It means something good.

I take a multi-vitamin that has the B vitamins in it. It turns the urine yellow for a number of hours. Does it to my husband also. I take that to mean that we are peeing out some of the excess B vitamins.
 
Posted by Kat1777 (Member # 39231) on :
 
Thank you, Katie and TF. I think the reason so many people on this board aren't seeing red urine is a combo of two things: 1) like you mention, not a high enough dose and 2) they're injecting subcutaneously, not intramuscularly, at least that's what my research seems to indicate--only intramuscular injections result in red urine.

Katie, are you doing the intramuscular injections?

That indicates to me that the IMs are more effective, at least over the very short term, but what do I know?

I just don't know if I can deal with this bathroom drama for the next three months. [Smile]

Oh, and I should probably mention that I don't think I'm technically low in B12. I wasn't tested; my doc prescribed the shots to help with constant fatigue. The last time I did test I think my reading was 512, nothing spectacular, but considered "normal."
 
Posted by katieb (Member # 11398) on :
 
Yes I am doing the IM injections, well my husband does it for me. It bothers me more to see the needle more than the red urine! I could never give myself an injection. I can't even look when he does it. Anyway, I have been through much worse with this illness, so a little red urine isn't too bad considering.
 
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
 
I do IM injections to myself.

When I'm really low my urine isn't very red... it's like my body needed it and kept it!

Other times, when I'm not as low on my B12, and I give myself a shot, my urine is more red.

I've been doing this for about 13yrs now. Each time is different.
 
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
 
I do it daily 1mg IM. My urine has so far never been red from it. I wasn't tested either but I would predict I was very low since I very rarely eat meat or dairy.
 
Posted by stiffyoungman (Member # 40067) on :
 
What dose are you guys all taking?

I see that typically online references say 1-2mg is normal. THe Burascanno PDF says 25mg (seems high?) and any studies I found with methyl b12 for neuropathy nerve healing said 500mg+ (insanely high and im assuming completely unaffordable)
 
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
 
1mg.

I switched from subq to sublingual spray and now I just read that it's not absorbable under the tongue...but my B12 levels are sky high.
 
Posted by stiffyoungman (Member # 40067) on :
 
Ive taken it IM in the thigh when I was repairing my shoulder I have no idea what my doseage was. This was years ago.

From what I see 25mg daily is literally about 100x the "average" dosing. Most places that offer it assume the person is going to do 1-2mg 2x week. And he says 25mg daily?

I almost feel like that 25mg is a typo. Im not sure how anybody could afford 25mg/day and I doubt any insurance would ever cover it.
 
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
 
I took 1mg 2x/week, my son takes 1mg every 3 days.

Now I spray 1mg under my tongue 2x/day. I can't imaginie taking 25mg. Maybe it should be 25 mcg?
 
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
 
Quote from Burrascano:

"Dose is generally 25 mg. (1 c.c.) daily for 3 to 6 months."

I checked the 2005 edition of the Guidelines, and it says the exact same thing. I doubt it is a typo.

Do a check of the medical literature, using the terms "25 mg Methylcobalamin" and you will see that that dose is called an ultra-high dose. Online pharmacies sell it at that dose. That dose has been used on folks with ALS and it slows down the progression of their neurological disease.

Notice that Burrascano is not saying to take this dose for years but just for a few months. Those who take B12 injections for years would not be taking this ultra-high dose.
 
Posted by fieldbredESS (Member # 39186) on :
 
Are you on Rifampin too? My LLMD advised with methyl B12 injections urine would turn dark red with Rifampin.
 
Posted by stiffyoungman (Member # 40067) on :
 
TF,

What would the pricing on that be? If a vial meant for 1mg 2x/week is around $50, what's the cost for 25mg daily...?
 
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
 
stiff,

I have no idea. I never needed this supplement.

You would have to call compounding pharmacies and ask them. You can't just multiply your number by 25 or anything like that.

In my experience, many medications cost the same whether the dose is 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, etc. That's because the bulk of the cost is in the making of the drug, not in the strength of the drug.
 
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
 
Stiffyoungman,

B12 should not be that expensive. I do 1mg methylcobalamin daily and get it from Infuserve (with a prescription) in pre-loaded syringes with needles for $50 per month shipped.

The price for 25mg is higher it's about $150 per month.
 
Posted by stiffyoungman (Member # 40067) on :
 
Thanks TF and Summer.

You doing IM or Subq summer?
 
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
 
IM in my leg.
 
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
 
Do the B 12 shots make a real difference in how you feel? How did your doctors decide you needed them? My new Lyme doc gave me one shot in his office and I swear I felt great and more energetic all week. I'm not one to ever link together meds/supplements and changes, so it was days before I even remembered I had gotten the B 12 shot and wondered if that was why I was feeling so much better.

I'm wondering if I should go on them.
 
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
 
Do the B 12 shots make a real difference in how you feel? How did your doctors decide you needed them? My new Lyme doc gave me one shot in his office and I swear I felt great and more energetic all week. I'm not one to ever link together meds/supplements and changes, so it was days before I even remembered I had gotten the B 12 shot and wondered if that was why I was feeling so much better.

I'm wondering if I should go on them.
 
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
 
Yes, the B12 makes a difference. It can really help with energy and also with sleep.
 
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
 
My LLNP wants to teach me how to give myself B12 injections since discovering I need methylcobalamine due to MTHFR mutation.

Have any of you noticed more of an improvement in your symptoms when switching from sublingual to IM?

Do you know if you have to do this forever if you have the mutation?
 
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
 
My urine is pink after injection.
 


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