B12 Injections

[Scarlett]

Does anyone have any experience of these? I had a genes test which shows that I don't absorb B12 even though my blood test shows that it's okay. I have had constant neuropathy in my feet (soles) since 2009 and have tried a caudal epidural, physio, several podiatrists, giving up sugar and carbs for 3 months, losing weight, having nerve tests on my legs to check the main nerves work (they do)... the only thing left that I can try is low B12 levels which can cause neuropathy. I also have ulcerative colitis so absorption could be a problem, although it is in remission now. My doc has agreed to let me try the injections but I wondered if anyone else has had them and found any benefit or otherwise?

[ethandron]

I suppose if you’re not absorbing it through your gut, it wouldn’t matter how much you take orally, it’s never going to do any good.
Maybe it’s a malabsorption problem due to your ulcerative colitis..not common but not unknown. When I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease a few years ago, one of the first things my consultant did was write to my gp and tell them to start me on b12 jabs immediately, which they did. I found an immediate benefit and have them every 12 weeks, by about week 10 I start to feel the lack of it.
As your gp has agreed to give you the jabs it will be interesting to know if you feel the benefit, despite your blood test saying you’re not lacking it.

[dunnitall]

Wow ethandron what a brill consultant you had. Most medics as I sAy really don't know much about B12 and how bad the symptoms are when low or deficient in it. I have a lovely Endo who listens and is on the patients side. He sees me for Hashimoto's and understands my coeliac and other chronic health I have. I said to him, you know you aren't allowed to leave here.....I don't know what I'd do without you lol.

Nearly everyone I read of or know who have these jabs always say that once every three months is not enough and this is why a lot of them self inject. Wish I was brave enough to do that.

[ummmm]

I think I might go back to the doctor and ask for the jabs. I never feel right.

[Scarlett]

As with all these not-approved medical things, I guess if enough people kick up a fuss like I just did, and find an improvement, then it will be reinstated as a conventional medicine/technique and lots of people will benefit in the future. I guess this is how all drugs work, but when not life threatening it does seem like it's not high up on the list of priorities for GPs which I totally get. But if it helps quality of life then it's gotta be done!

[ummmm]

I have an ulcer and was put on gastric meds. The gastric meds make it hard for the body to absorb vitamin B naturally.

A few months after I developed really painful joints. Although I could cope with the pain you'd know it would get you down in the end.

Went back to the doctor who ordered lots of blood test and when I went to pick up my repeat it included VitB1, folic and VitD.

[dunnitall]

Definitely Scarlett re 'got to be done'. Unfortunately though as with vitamins etc these are never brought to the forefront in being looked into when presenting with symptoms. There are many people out there who are on drugs for heart problems, lung problems and other serious ailments who, if docs started at the lowest form of analysing tests ...vitamins, iron etc and the range analysed with low results and symptoms then maybe the NHS could save millions by treating what maybe a deficiency.

The medics don't put much store into this yet will diagnose heart problems before checking the basics. I know this because I have AF and when my iron is low my heart is worse, when I don't notice the AF my iron is ok. So is my AF caused by low iron and I don't actually have the problem with my heart? I know it's the latter, as with my breathlessness because of low vitamin D and B 12.

There should be a complete sea change over all this but they won't bother, it's too easy to diagnose the more common ailments methinks.

[ummmm]

But yet my doctor checked for them straight away.

[dunnitall]

ummmm that's unusual so you have a brill doctor then, hold on to him lol. I wish ours had done this for hubby and looked into his symptoms towards that over eleven years ago. Oh well, some you win et al..... Life eh!

[ummmm]

Her :-D I have a female doctor and she's lovely.

[Scarlett]

I've been on Omeprazole for a hiatus hernia for years so that could be something to do with absorption. I am also very breathless- and it's not asthma as my inhalers do nothing. I also have a lot of joint and back pain. It will be very interesting to see what happens, if anything. I wonder how long it will be before I see any results, for better or worse?

[ummmm]

I'm on the same. The VitB's def made a difference but I'd say the jabs would be quicker.

I was given mine in hospital to start where I was on a lot of morphine so not sure how long they took to kick in.