ukcarry
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18147
posted
What type of B12 did you have and what were the dosages? Did you have IM or subcutaneous injections?
Did anyone react badly to the injections or becone overmethylated? If so, do you know whether or not you have MTHFR polymorphisms?
I am getting very suspicious about my B12 status, both historic and current, and am information-gathering!
Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Sublingual would be the preferred choice. If that works, you may not need the shots. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I take 1cc of methylcobalamin per month and have been for about 2 yrs. Prior to that, I was taking the cyanocobalamin for about 10 years or more.
I don't yet know about my MTHFR status.
I do not react to the shots.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
I had the shots. Didn't seem to notice any positives so I stopped.
But that doesn't mean they would not work for others.
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 10173 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
I've gotten B12 shots on & off since I was diagnosed with severe pernicious anemia in 1999 (my blood level of B12 was extremely low).
I started with Cyanocobolamin shots (IM), and it took a while of getting the shots once a month before I started to feel better.
Found out that wasn't the best form of B12, so then was switched to compounded Methylcobolamin shots (IM). These really helped a lot with sulfite sensitivity, energy level, sleep, etc.
Then another Naturopath convinced me to try Hydroxycobolamin (IM) and I had a bad reaction to it - got super, super hyper and couldn't relax for a few days.
Somewhere in the midst of all of this, I was given a Cyanocobolamin IM shot at a doctor's office (I hadn't had a B12 shot in a long while) and it actually triggered a sulfite reaction...I think the shot contained sulfite preservatives.
Now my DH gives me the Methylcobolamin shots at home and it is much better.
I find that I need to take periodic breaks from the shots when they hype me up too much, but for the most part, the IM methylcobolamin helps me with daytime energy and the ability to sleep better.
When I've tried oral or sublingual B12 (cyanocoblamin, methylcobolamin) and don't get the shots, my B12 blood level drops. So there is an absorption issue for me with oral/sublingual B12...thus my need for the shots.
YMMV.
-------------------- -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: 4167 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I had a few B12 shots about -- good grief, it's been about 18 years ago. I was going to my first of 4 ND's, and although I was working a f.t. job, had kids and the energy to party on the weekends (ahem, I was a different person then!), I was lower on energy than I used to be.
Boy, I wish I had that kind of "low energy" I had back in '97! Just goes to show how far I've fallen. Anyway, although she didn't have any bloodwork done, this ND thought B12 shots might help, and they did, almost instantly.
But they hurt like hell, so I quit after about 3 of them. She said they hurt because she also put another vitamin in there, don't remember what it was. Slowly my energy levels dropped more and more over the next few years (and my job from hell didn't help, I'm sure), and in '02 or '03 I went to another ND, who actually had bloodwork done and found I had P. anemia.
Along with severe hypochloridia (low stomach acid, but in my case it was nearly non-existant), and a host of other junk. I refused to get any more shots, so I went with the sublingual. It took a few months, but finally it began working, and I take it to this day -- 4-5000 i.u.'s or mg. or however they measure it.
But no one ever thought to test me for Lyme until Feb. of this year -- and I had to think of it myself and request it.
-------------------- Bless the Lord, oh my soul. -- Psalm 103 Posts: 102 | From WA | Registered: May 2015
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posted
Our daughter took IM B12 shots for a while, several years ago. Seemed to give her a short term boost in energy, but for her didn't heal anything.
We trust her Dr. a lot, though, and we believe him that for some people it's great.
Posts: 228 | From Mass. | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
I was wondering, should'nt b-12 levels be checked prior to paying for and giving injections?
Is there ever a reason for the doctor ordering them without first establishing a deficiency?
Posts: 47 | From wichita, kansas | Registered: Feb 2015
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LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41384
posted
I had shots and they made me feel bad. turns out my DNA showed I cannot utilize a regular B vitamin.
now I take it in lozenge form.
B6- Pyridoxal 5 Phosphate and B-12= methylcobalamin Hydroxycobalamin
and this seems to be helping.
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3592 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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ukcarry
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18147
posted
Many thanks to all of you for describing your experiences with B12. That is all very helpful.
I have taken B complex for years, but not always one with the active forms of B12 or folate. Have also taken Pure Encapsulations' methylcobalamin capsules and at times a sublingual B12, but on a urine organic acids test, I had elevated methyl malonic acid, which the lab said was almost always caused by low B12.
Recently many symptoms of my long illness have got worse, like neuropathies, burning soles, breathing, cough, sore lips and tongue, heaches, fatigue, vertigo and lightedness, digestive symptoms, tremor. I have new stuff happening too, such as rosacea. All these can be signs of B12 deficiency.
I have also been taking Welchol for nine months and, like Cholestyramine, that is said to have the capacity to lower B12 levels.
Ohdeer, doctors used to treat with B12 shots before B12 serum tests became common. Now in UK at least, they are more reluctant. B12 serum tests are not a very useful measurement because they measure total B12 in the blood, but not 'active' B12. Apparently, in some people, only as little as 7 to 10% of the total measurement may be active. I am one of those with an abnormally high total B12, but, alongside my high methyl malonic acid result, it makes sense that most of mine is inactive.
New tests for active B12 are available here through a London hospital or through Biolab, but I gather that you need to have been off all B12 supplementation for possibly three months before you could do that test.
One test that is readily available and may be informative is for Intrinsic Factor antibodies, as high titre would indicate a problem with B12 absorption. I am hoping that my doctor will refer me for this test.
In the meantime I have stepped up sublinguals and am trying A methylcobalamin topical cream too. I have sent up for the kit for 23and me testing too.
Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008
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ukcarry
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18147
posted
Razzle and Lymieloo, it is interesting to compare your two responses to shots and sublinguals, especially as you both have pernicious anaemia. I am glad that you have both found a way to increase your levels safely and effectively. My impression is that any oral form of B12 may be less effective for people with severe stomach problems, previous stomach surgery etc.
Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008
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susank
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22150
posted
I do the B12 injections IM. Cyano - whatever. I do fine with them. Should do more.
Question: what's the deal with the 30cc vials? Seems they have not been available for quite a while.
My pharmacy quoted me $15 for the one cc vials. The 30cc vials about $25 - but they cannot get them.
Back in the day I always got the 30cc vials - cheap.
But..not knowing any better - I think I did some things wrong. I kept the vial in my bathroom - exposing it to temperature extremes. I would give myself a 1cc injection once or twice a week - which meant I used the same vial for months. Yikes - I think that is bad. How I did not get the epizooda I don't know. Or maybe I did and that's partially what's wrong with me today!!!
I think all vials - once "entered" must be used with 28 days. ??
Nuts that a one cc vial is about the same price as a 30 cc vial.
-------------------- Pos.Bb culture 2012 Labcorp - no bands ever Igenex - Neg. 4 times With overall bands: IGM 18,28,41,66 IND: 23-25,34,39 IGG 41,58 IND: 39 Bart H IGG 40 Posts: 1613 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2009
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