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B12 injections and neurological symptoms

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molly54321
molly54321

Every day for 2.5 months, I've had paresthesia/neuropathy (in other words pins and needles, tingling, generally weird sensations) in both feet and both legs. My B12 was tested and isn't "drastically" low (275), but still low to where my doctor says B12 deficiency could definitely be causing these symptoms.

I've started a B12 injection regimen where I get two a week for 4 weeks, then once a week for another 4 weeks, then once every two weeks for a month (and as needed from there on out, I assume). So far, I've had the first 6 injections, over a period of 19 days. But here's my question - can it be normal that so far I've felt little, if any, improvement? 

A little more background - my first 3 shots were given under the skin, and it was as if I never got the injections. I didn't feel better, I didn't feel worse, nothing. Starting with the 4th shot, they've been giving them to me into the muscle. Now at least I can tell there's some sort of "reaction" going on. After each of the past 3 shots I've felt very tired the day of the shot. Also, the day after the shots my symptoms have been extra bad - really magnified. And one day I even had new stuff going on like burning wrists, feeling wiped out, etc... that didn't last more than one day. But through all this, even though I'm glad to at least feel SOMETHING is happening after the shots, I still can't say that I'm "better." I've read neurological symptoms can take the longest to improve and heal, and I'm hoping this is the case for me. Otherwise I'll start worrying all over again that this is NOT due to B12, and instead is something more sinister, like MS. Although at this point, my doctor doesn't think so. 

Help! Does anyone have any insight on symptoms like mine when it comes to B12 deficiency, and how it all relates to B12 injections and improvement time?

Thanks so much.

1 like, 78 replies

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  • Knackered
    Knackered molly54321

    Posted

    I'd been taking prescribed cortisone steroids, unfortunately at too high an amount and for 3-4 years. Pernicious anaemia was diagnosed and B12 deficiency due to the steroids stripping my stomach lining. Contained within the stomach lining is something called the 'Intrinsic Factor' which sends vitamin B12 to where it is needed. No IF therefore no distribution and hence a condition called 'Peripheral Neuropathy' that was first diagnosed in 2001 in my feet by a Neurological Consultant. He told me that there positive & negative reactions and unfortunately mine was negative which meant I'd no feeling of pain from my toes to just underneath my knees, I could feel warmth and cold and every so often I'd feel intense itching or a sensation like an electric shock in my feet. One time the 'electric shocks' lasted for 2 days, (every minute or so). It nearly drove me up the wall! There are four other 'side effects' that I have three of which are fatigue, short-term memory loss and the worst of all, my balance has been seriously affected so much so that I can't walk a few steps without losing my balance therefore I use crutches each time I leave the house, which, fortunately for me, doesn't happen very often.

    In 2002 I was informed by same consultant that the PN would not stop at my knees as 90% of people it 'jumped' into fingertips to elbows. This would normally happen ten to twelve years after the PN had been diagnosed. I got it in 2013. At this time of typing, both hands are shaking, right worse than left, I've lost muscle between forefinger and thumb and can't rely on right hand to pick anything up.

    I have B12 injections every 8 weeks and by 5/6 weeks my balance is very bad but they won't let me reduce the time in between injections to 6 weeks as it wouldn't be good for me! I've even offered to pay for it but am told that it's not a financial situation!

  • kevin20179
    kevin20179 molly54321

    Posted

    hi, i had my last dosing jab on 19th April and require one every 3 months thereafter. Just had my first 3 month 'top up' on 19th July. Still have a feeling of weak legs, although i can walk fine. Strange sensation in the hands too, difficult to describe. Have i benefited ? I'm not sure as i dont know how long these things take to get right. I appreciate that B12 affects the nervous system and nerves are a funny thing

  • bigal11
    bigal11 molly54321

    Posted

    Hi my symptom is tingling on chest neck Nd shoulder area all on the left side

    just started b12 injections I felt fine the day after the first one but didnt last ive had three now and still tingling

    I am also taking folic acid. Any tips welcome

    I am new on this website so please bear with me. cheers Alan

    c

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