I need B12 shots

So I'm B12 deficient and just found out by my doctor I need the shots. What the hell does this mean?? I'm a little confused and freaked out right now.

Do I need them forever? Or just until my levels normalize? I don't even know if they're covered on my mom's disability plan.

yeah, i took b-12 shots for a while. they are NO BIG DEAL. i just did them in my thigh. the needles are very small. the syringes i got were not prefilled so you have to stick the needle into the tiny little b-12 bottle and suck it through. it's red liquid. i then tapped the syringe to make sure there were no bubbles.

i started with once a week, then every two, then every month. they got my levels up EXTREMELY quickly. i think after a few weeks, i was over 2000 and 2000 is the upper limit.

That is very, very low. It's great that you're getting a shot -- you will probably feel MUCH better after you get your levels normalized. Like Joanna said they are very easy to administer.

I was getting shots every few months but my levels have started to normalize. I also take a 5000 mcg B12 lozenge once a week and that seems to be working well enough that I no longer need the shots. The lozenge is absorbed under your tongue so even if you're having fast transit/diarrhea you can still absorb the nutrients.

Lozenges are available over the counter. Obviously talk to your doctor about it first.

sibby, the reference range should be on your bloodwork. if you read that your number was 37, see on there what is normal. i have no clue what 37 is haha

I give myself a B12 injection once a month. I use these really small syringes (they are actually insulin syringes, my mom had a box from her old dog who had diabetes!) and they don't hurt a bit. I inject myself right above my hip - I just pinch my skin taut and go in at about a 45 degree angle.

lol Definitely needed ice. It was my best friend today.


Lord, how bad is humira shots?

bananagirl said...
sibby, if you think b12 shots hurt, you will faint from humira. i actually did faint haha my whole body went numb and my hands and feet were like ice. i think i was going into shock.

You should not even feel insulin syringes. I started receiving shots of blood thinner after being paralyzed in the ICU and taken off the IV drip. Each time I injected at the hospital and at home my entire right side DID go numb from lip to ankle.

Scared the crap out of me every time. I would have to lay down for 30 minutes and wait it out.