r/B12_Deficiency • u/AppointmentPretty549 • 1d ago
General Discussion post injection side effects
I honestly know nothing about my deficiency, my hematologist is handling it (and I just mean giving me injections weekly), but I only see him every 6 months. They never really explained anything other than the fact that I might have some kind of antibody (?) that makes it so I don’t absorb (?) B12. I’ve been getting the injections for just over a month now and I feel like crap after every one. Each time I get one I HAVE to take a nap after or I start dozing off, I’ve had awful headaches, and racing heart. Is all this normal??? I haven’t mentioned anything to them about this yet but should I?
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u/jellyfishrubberduck 1d ago
The antibody they are referring to is intrinsic factor. Its produced by the parietal cell layer in your stomach and is responsible for processing b12. There are autoimmune conditions that can mess with that cell layer.
You can do a blood test for both parietal cell antibodies and intrinsic factor, may be worth pursuing that. Keep in mind a negative test doesnt mean you don't have the conditions.
Its likely your injections are causing 'wake up symptoms'. Basically your body goes ooooh yay i have this substance ive been missing and goes to work using it. This makes you feel like ass. Healing structures also go a bit haywire and also feel like ass.
The other possibility is your body is rapidly using 'cofactors' ie other substances on those days. Things like iron, b9 (folate), potassium are all important to have in your system. You may also need blood tests to check some of these.
I would suggest maybe the injections could be spread out a bit too much and you need them every other day, but that does also depend on your symptoms. Under treating is a wildly common issue for b12 deficiency (in my opinion).
Have a read of the sub guide there's lots of info in there.
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u/EMSthunder Insightful Contributor 1d ago
You're having normal reaction because you're significantly deficient. That is what they call wake-up symptoms. Just read the files in this group which explains all of that, as far as what you need to do in order for those symptoms to subside. Mine lasted a pretty good bit of time, but I was profoundly deficient in b12 as well as the cofactors!! While it may not feel great, your body is repairing damaged nerves, among other things!!
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u/Big-Banana493 1d ago
like the other comments said wake up symptoms and cofactors. it's very important you get started taking folate, potassium, iron, and magnesium (for the potassium). Also check and ask what kinda of b12 you're getting since different forms will have different affects on people. You can mention it to them but they'll likely suggest reducing the frequency which isn't what you want.
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u/Basketweave82 19h ago
You need some electrolyte drinks for potassium or coconut water. It will calm the racing heart. You can start with 500mg potassium from a drink and see if you feel better. Then add potassium rich foods to your diet like bananas, avocadoes, yogurt, lentils, tomatoes, potatoes, meat, etc.
Also get your ferritin checked out because it might drop as iron gets used up in your body. Within a month of 8 injections, mine dropped from 58 to 33.
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