posted
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.
Posts: 90 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Oct 2012
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posted
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. Posts: 90 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Oct 2012
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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.
Posts: 71 | From milford, connecticut | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
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.
Posts: 71 | From milford, connecticut | Registered: Mar 2007
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
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)
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.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
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.
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."
Posts: 90 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Oct 2012
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posted
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.
Posts: 71 | From milford, connecticut | Registered: Mar 2007
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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.
-------------------- Lyme, Babs, Fry Bug..... Whatever it is, may a treatment be discovered to make us all whole again! Posts: 941 | From AZ-MT | Registered: Oct 2004
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Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
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.
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)
Posts: 52 | From USA | Registered: Feb 2013
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
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
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.
Posts: 52 | From USA | Registered: Feb 2013
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
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?
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
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.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Are you on Rifampin too? My LLMD advised with methyl B12 injections urine would turn dark red with Rifampin.
Posts: 25 | From N. Texas | Registered: Oct 2012
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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...?
Posts: 52 | From USA | Registered: Feb 2013
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
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.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
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.
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
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.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
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.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Yes, the B12 makes a difference. It can really help with energy and also with sleep.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
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?
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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