A Few Notes On Giving Yourself Vitamin B12 Shots
Once your doctor prescribes B12, I recommend asking for insulin-size needles. This small needle size makes the process less painful, or even pain-free. It may take a bit of leg work, but be your own best advocate!
Once the pharmacy fills your prescription, you’ll know more about how your particular pharmacy handles dosage and application.
For example, some B12 comes in powder form you’ll need to add water before injecting.
Some pharmacies fill the syringe for you, so all you’ll need to do is inject it.
A few B12 bottles or vials come pre-measured as 1 dose per bottle.
Other pharmacies provide one larger bottle of B12 and tell you how much B12 you’ll need per injection. You’ll then have to fill your syringe with the appropriate milligrams.
The stomach has fewer blood vessels and nerve endings, making it the perfect location for injection less painful, easy to reach, and less likely to poke a blood vessel. It also has a layer of muscle close to the surface which promotes absorption of B12.
Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The human liver stores several years worth of vitamin B12, so having a deficiency isnt very common. However, its important to know what your levels are, after all, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your nerves and affect brain function. A few symptoms of B12 deficiency include: Conditions of the small intestine , anemia, fatigue, constipation, poor balance, memory loss, shortness of breath, and more.
Where Should I Keep My Medicine
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C . Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
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Vitamin B12 Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:hives difficulty breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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heart problems–swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath
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fluid build-up in or around the lungs–pain when you breathe, feeling short of breath while lying down, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus, cold and clammy skin, anxiety, rapid heartbeats or
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low potassium level–leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.
Common side effects may include:
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diarrhea or
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swelling anywhere in your body.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
B12 Injection Side Effects
Jen0609
Hi All,
I have recently been diagnosed with B12 deficiency and commenced my loading dose injections yesterday. After 9 months of feeling completely not myself, test for all sorts of different things plus fighting the ” your symptoms are anxiety” card I was finally diagnosed with Coelliac disease and the the B12.
My symptoms are headaches, sensitive eyes, strange smells, metalic taste in my mouth, severe neck ache, a hard to discribe numb feeling in my chest, pins and needs in my hands numbness in my 4th toe , weak heavy leg feeling like I’m about to faint,difficulty stringing a sentance together, forgetting memorable words, losing track of what I’m saying mid conversation, clumsy hands and poor spacial awareness cold hands and feet, dizziness and ppor balance…the list goes on..
I had my first B12 jab yesterday and today I am feeling terrible. I feel dizzy, sick, really cold hands, numbness in my hands and a very spaced out almost migrainey type feeling. I can’t concentrate and keep forgetting what I am talking about. Basically by pervious B12 deifciency symptoms just mych more intense. I’m currently struggling through a day at work and could really do with some peice of mind that this is normal and other people have felt like this?
I’m hoping it wears off soon and I dont experience it every time after my next 5 injections
Thank you for any comments Jen
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Vitamin B12 Shots And Deficiencies
The primary purpose of receiving a Vitamin B12 shot is to ensure that your body receives a sufficient amount of vitamin B12 to perform its essential functions such as red blood cell production or neurological functioning. When B12 cannot be absorbed through food sources, it can be gained from a man-made version of the nutrient called cyanocobalamin.
Vitamin B12 shots contain high levels of cyanocobalamin to rectify any shortages in the body. The shots can be self-administered, although we recommend going to a professional to ensure adequate delivery without any hassle. These shots can quickly boost the level of B12 in your body, making up for any deficiencies.
It is possible to consume cyanocobalamin through a variety of means. The man-made vitamin can be found in liquid, tablet, or capsule form. Foods generally lacking in vitamin B12 can also be fortified with cyanocobalamin to increase the B12 content. The most effective and direct delivery method, however, remains the vitamin B12 shot.
What Is This Medicine
CYANOCOBALAMIN is a man made form of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is used in the growth of healthy blood cells, nerve cells, and proteins in the body. It also helps with the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. This medicine is used to treat people who can not absorb vitamin B12.
This medicine may be used for other purposes ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME: B-12 Compliance Kit, B-12 Injection Kit, Cyomin, LA-12, Nutri-Twelve, Physicians EZ Use B-12, Primabalt
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Who Needs Vitamin B12 Shots
Given that vitamin B12 can be purchased over the counter, can be found in foods, and also through pills and tablets, vitamin B12 shots are available only through prescription. Only those that truly need vitamin B12 shots should pursue this option. The human liver generally stores many years worth of vitamin B12, and thus it is rare for individuals to have a significant lack of vitamin B12 in their bodies. Such individuals are prime candidates for the beneficial treatment.
There are three groups of individuals who are particularly at risk of experiencing vitamin B12 deficiencies:
- Those with symptoms of B12 deficiency
- B12 deficiency risk factors
How Often Should You Inject A B12 Shot
Vitamin B12 injections are used to treat a range of ailments, and each user requires a unique dosage and frequency to ensure effectiveness. Doctors suggest various frequencies depending on the reason you are using B12. Some doctors recommend that anyone can use B12 injections, with a frequency of up to one shot weekly for 4 weeks. If you are using for non-medical reasons, you can make your own choices to determine how often to use B12 injections. If you are searching for an immune boost, athletic preparation, or recovery, some doctors suggest you can get a few vitamin B12 injections throughout the year. Of course, this all depends on the dosage prescribed by a doctor, which are typically administered in doses of 1000 mcg. How often you should take doses of B12 injections will depend on your bodys ability to store vitamin B12 once your B12 levels in your blood stabilize, the injections can be administered far less frequently. When you begin with B12 injections, frequent medical and blood tests will determine future dosage and frequency.
With B12 injections, how often you take them depends on a multitude of factors and varies from person to person, but dont worry, with these suggestions and a bit of testing to find the level that works best for you, B12 injections can start to lead you to a healthier and more alert life within days.
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How To Inject Vitamin B12
When deciding to learn how to inject vitamin B12, some details are essential to know. Needle size, injection site, and dosage will differ for every individual. All these decisions will depend on your preference and what you need.
Vitamin B12 injections can be administered in different ways. The site of injection will also vary depending on many factors. A healthcare professional can determine which site and method are the most convenient for you.
If you are administering vitamin B12 injections at home, there are specific instructions you need to remember. It is advised that you receive guidance from a trained professional before attempting to do this independently. Nevertheless, once you have learned and practiced administering vitamin B12 injections, it will be easy to do it regularly at home.
Side Effects Not Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Some side effects of cyanocobalamin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
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Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, cyanocobalamin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cyanocobalamin:
Incidence not known
- bleeding from the gums or nose
- blue lips and fingernails
- coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
- difficult, fast, noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing
- difficulty with swallowing
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- ringing in the ears
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- tightness in the chest
- weight gain
Side Or Back Of Upper Arm
As with the intramuscular B12 injection site on the arm, you can use the side or back of your upper arm for a subcutaneous injection. This may be easier when using the help of another person, whether that be a family member, friend, or caregiver. Pinch a thick layer of skin on the upper side of your arm and inject the needle at the appropriate angle into this pinched skin.
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What Makes B12 Shots Effective For Cfs
So what is it that makes Vitamin B12 shots potentially effective for chronic fatigue syndrome? Recently, a group of researchers affiliated with the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Swedens Gothenburg University published their results from a study attempting to answer to this question. The researchers drew from their 15 years of experience studying CFS patients and treating them with vitamin B12. During this time, they had already determined that CFS patients respond best to the injective form of B12 therapy.
For this study, they examined clinical data from 38 female patients with CFS who had been on B12 injections at least once a week for six months and up to several years, all of whom expressed favorable response, from mild to dramatic. Heres what they found:
How Do You Know If Youre Low In B12
Oftentimes, doctors will run a blood test checking for B12 levels. Unfortunately this doesnt tell us anything about how much B12 your cells actually need – all the effects of B12 take place inside of the cell, so checking blood levels doesnt provide any insight.
There are more detailed tests we can use to check on intracellular levels of micronutrients – we often look at the comprehensive intracellular micronutrient analysis by Spectracell for all nutrients, or more specific tests like methylmalonic acid, MTHFR genetic polymorphism analysis, homocysteine and a CBC.
However, sometimes its easiest to assess if you have the above symptoms, try a few of the injections, and then see if your symptoms resolve. Since the injections have hardly any side effects and no known toxicity, its worth a try, dont you think?
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What To Do If You Want To Give B12 Shots A Try
Are you suffering from CFS and have tried, or considered trying, vitamin B12 injections? Remember that there are many factors that can play into whether you experience significant B12 shot benefits or not.
- Try the methylcobalamin form of B12.
- Work with your physician to experiment to find the optimal dose of both B12 and folate for you as an individual.
- Try to stop taking analgesics.
- Talk to your doctor about getting thoroughly tested for a thyroid disorder.
To help you and your physician find the best plan for you, take the full text of the published paper, free here, to your healthcare provider for a discussion. Dont give up and keep advocating for yourself!
Are There Side Effects To B12 Injections
For the most part, B12 injections are very safe and have few side effects. There is no harm in taking large amounts of B12 as the body only uses what it needs and naturally expels any excess. After receiving a B12 injection, there may be some pain or redness at the injection site, and there is the possibility of mild diarrhea, itchiness and the feeling of swollen skin all over your body. However, there is only cause for concern if these symptoms persist. Allergic reactions to B12 shots are very rare, but symptoms that require medical attention include a rash, itchiness or swelling in the face or mouth and dizziness.
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Vitamin B12 Shots Are Very Effective
An untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems or pernicious anemia, which occurs when your body doesnt have enough B12 to produce the amount of red blood cells it needs .
Vitamin B12 shots are the most common way to prevent or treat a deficiency. The injections are prescribed by a doctor and given intramuscularly, or into muscle.
Injections are usually given as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin. These are very effective at raising blood levels of B12 and preventing/reversing a deficiency.
Bottom Line:
If you are deficient in vitamin B12, then the injections are very effective at raising your blood levels.
How Do You Inject A B12 Shot
Before injecting a vitamin B12 shot, it is essential to wash your hands with soap and water. To inject a B12 shot, start by gathering the necessary supplies, including: a Methylcobalamin vial , a clean needle and syringe, alcohol pads, or cotton balls and rubbing alcohol, gauze or bandages, and a biohazard approved container for injection waste disposal.
After you have prepared, you can clean the injection site with alcohol pads or another alcohol solution. Allow the injection site to dry completely before administering the shot. Remember that before every injection, you should clean the top of the vial that contains the B12 solution with a new cotton ball that is not the one used to clean your injection site, and then let dry. There are several options for injection sites, and the steps for injection varies depending on if youre administering an intramuscular injection or a subcutaneous injection. Please consult with a physician or other licensed medical professional to determine the appropriate dosage, frequency, and injection site for your personal needs and comfort.
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What Vitamin B12 Cant Do
The Internet is full of articles lauding the use of vitamin B12 to prevent Alzheimers disease, heart disease, and other chronic conditions or reverse infertility, fatigue, eczema, and a long list of other health problems. Most are based on poor or faulty evidence.
Take Alzheimers disease as an example. Although there is a relationship between low vitamin B12 levels and cognitive decline, clinical studiesincluding those involving people with Alzheimers diseasehave not shown improvement in cognitive function, even doses of the vitamin as high as 1000 micrograms.
For now, its best to get enough vitamin B12 to prevent a deficiency, and not look to it as a remedy for what ails you.
Adapted from a Harvard Health Blog post by Patrick Skerrett.
How Often Should I Get A Vitamin B12 Injection
Keep in mind that everyone is different and has unique needs. If youre diagnosed with anemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, youll likely be given 100 mcg into the muscleonce dailyfor about one week. Eventually, the frequency of this injection will be down to once every month. That said, the frequency and dosage will change, based on improved blood work and symptoms. In most other cases, a single session per month is suitable.
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Benefits Of Vitamin B12 Injections
A vitamin B12 injection can bring on immediate health benefits. It increases energy levels and concentration, may improve metabolism, boosts the immune system, and aids in restful sleep. Since this vitamin is essential for DNA synthesis, nerve cell health, red blood cell formation, and neurological function, a vitamin B12 injection really is a no-brainer.
Tablets Just As Effective
Over-the-counter B12 tablets are a fraction of the cost of shots, and have been shown in a British-Canadian study to work just as well for most people, although some people with digestive conditions may have difficulty absorbing the vitamin in tablet form.
B12 is found in animal-based sources such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.
People who don’t get enough of the essential vitamin can experience nausea, fatigue, dizziness or depression among other symptoms. Long-term deficiency can lead to cognitive problems.
Research suggests about 20 per cent of elderly people are B12 deficient. Although a Statistics Canada population survey published in 2013 found, on average, seniors had only slightly lower levels of B12 than younger adults.
Vegans and “patients with diseases like Crohn’s and colitis as well as people with pernicious anemia are also particularly vulnerable to deficiency,” added Silverstein.
The Toronto specialist said that the price tag for a monthly shot is $44.33 $33.70 paid to the doctor per visit, $6.74 for administering the shot and $3.89 for the vial of B12.
Orally administered supplements from a big box store cost as little as $30 for a full year’s supply of tablets.
His study could not determine why family physicians were prescribing it inappropriately including whether it was initiated by the doctor or at the request of the patient.
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