B12 Injections make me sicker?

Hi All,

To give some background, i had a baby about a year ago and for some silly reason, stopped taking my prenatal vitamins when i stopped breastfeeding him at 6 months. About 2 months ago, i started experiencing fatigue, body ache and tingling in fingers and toes. My docto did a million tests that all came back negative and finally zeroed in on a vitamin B12 and a Vitamin D deficiency.

I have done blood tests over the past 2 months and looks like my B12 levels are going up (from 215 to 375 to the most recent 455) just by taking my prenatal vitamins again. However, to speed things up, my doctor suggested i take B12 shots. After taking the first shot this past Friday, i feel like i have been run over by a bus. My fatigue is much worse, it's a struggle to get out of bed in the morning. I have increased soreness and bad nausea and dizziness (thankfully the last two things have subsided a little since yesterday). My Doctor still refuses to believe this could be the shots but i have read on many forums that people have such a reaction to shots.

Has anyone else here experienced this? Should i be doing this to myself just to "speed things up" if my levels are going up just with a multi vitamin?

I feel so tired right now and am so done with this whole craziness. I want to feel healthy again!

Welcome to Psych Central! I am sorry you are having these struggles. I suggest you talk to your doctor about this issue.

I am wondering why you feel the need to keep taking prenatal vitamins. Was that something your doctor suggested? I am thinking after a baby is born, the mom goes back to taking regular multi-vitamins.

Hope you feel better soon!

Hi, when I had B12 injections done I was told that in rare cases, people have bad reactions to them. (fatigue, diarrhea, headaches, joint aches). Do you know what kind of B12 you had injected? Methylcobalamin should be preferred over Cyanocobalamin.
I only learned about it recently. Unfortunately most doctors don't seem to be aware that Cyanocobalamin is a bad choice, since it is not effective at all.
So make sure you ask your doctor what he is giving you. If you continue to have problems then the only other alternative I know of is sublingual B12. Good luck

I've just started with weekly Neurobian injections due to fatigue. I must say I experienced similar things to you, when I was expecting to have more energy.
Pls let me know how things work out

Your body can convert Cyanocobalamin into Methylcobalamin and Methylcobalamin is prescription only so there should be no problem with what the doctor uses/prescribes (and you should not be messing with vitamins/minerals without your doctor's input as they can mess you and your other medicines up bad); it's like many other vitamins we take D2 versus D3, beta-carotene/Vitamin A, etc.

Vitamin B12 QuickFacts

One should only be taking Vitamin B12 if the doctor has done the blood work and you have a deficiency and s/he knows the cause; it cannot improve conditions if you do not have a B12 specific deficiency; it does not give athletes more energy, help with weight loss, etc.