B-12 shots for depression???

I've just had my large bowel removed a few weeks ago and my doctor rcommends liquid vitamins and B-12 shots. He said the part of the bowel that absorbs B-12 is gone, so I should get the shots. I've been on one antidepressant or another for many years for anxiety and depression. I was wondering if anyone found relief for their depression with B-12 shots??? I've read that they can increase energy and improve concentration and memory.

Just curious. Thanks for any input.

God bless!!!!!

                                                     Tom

My grandmothers both used to get them and went to great lengths to get to the doc so I think they must be helpful. And there was a B12 craze about 10-15 yrs ago, all sorts of celebrities were shooting themselves with it. I think its good for stress and exhaustion. And certainly couldn't hurt anyone.
In July I had a bout of severe equilibrium problems, went to Urgent care as my GP advised, and they did a complete work-up. One of the things they did on the first visit was give me an IV with B12. I did feel better the next day. So the next day when I went back for a re-check, I asked if I could have more, if a little is good, why not? ha ha. So they gave it to me IM. Didn't notice anything that time. They said always b e sure you are taking a vitamin with 100% B6 and B12. So I found one on the shelf, Centrum Ultra. Have gotten careless with taking my vits, and now that I am a little droopy, maybe thats why.
Since your problem is the missing bowel to absorb B12, you would have a lot to gain by the injections, and who knows, maybe that section of bowel that was removed wasn't doing its job for a long time. I think you have a very wise doc for bringing this up. If cost or convenience is a problem, they could probably teach to give your own very easily. Once you get over the initial trepidations, its a breeze. The amt of medicine you inject is miniscule. At my current GPs office, you can get prescriptions of injectables filled at the pharm, if the GP doesn't stock it, and go for a "free" nurse appt to get the shot. Some people get injectibles delivered in the mail, and store them in the fridge at home.
You have been thru alot. Hope things will calm down and you will have a chance to feel well again. This is a good place to vent and maintain contact with the outside world.

tom, vit d tabs are helping with my pain and energy a little. nothing wrong with natural supps, esp when they help. keep feelin good mate!! cheers from jamie.

if you have a B12 deficiency, B12 can help depressive symptoms. If your B12 levels are normal, the shots will not help your depression. You can look up "pernicious anemia" for info about B12 deficiencies. Some of the symptoms are similar to depression, which at times can cause MDD to be diagnosed when there is another issue causing depressive symptoms.

I take B12 vitamins b/c my hypothyroidism causes pernicious anemia. I am able to absorb B12, but due to my thyroid, I can't get enough naturally from food. I definitely notice a difference between when I take the vitamins for a while -- less tired, more willing to eat, better balance, more energy, etc

Depending on what your blood work shows, you can either take OTC vitamins (100% of daily B12 is sufficient; more than that is pointless) or you can go in for shots -- some people cannot absorb the vitamins, even in liquid form, so the only way to get the B12 in their blood is by injections. It sounds like your GI was saying your body would maybe have a harder time absorbing B12.

The liquid vitamins are fairly harmless. I wouldn't waste my money on shots unless I had blood work showing a moderate-severe B12 deficiency.

Hope that helps! Good luck!
frances

Thanks Sandy, Thanks to all here for all of the great input. I'll definitely keep up with all of the supplements because of the surgery, and hopefully it will help the depression and anxiety problems as well. I'm going to try and see my primary doc tomorrow for full blood work. My bowel surgeon also told me I have an enlarged prostate, so now I need to see a urologist too . Not to mention I had my thyroid gland removed in 2004 for thyroid cancer, so I need to call for a follow up with an endocrinologist. I've been neglecting that and that's just not acceptable. My primary doc's been getting a little peeved at me for being so slack in going back to a cancer doc, and he's right. I have no excuse .

I need to start getting on the ball and staying on top of these things so they don't turn into something more serious.

Thank God for doctors, even though it seems like I live at the doctors offices.

God bless, my friends!!!!

                                          Tom