Question:
See below B-12 Shot Side Effects

I now after 1 yr. and 1 mo. post op. have to take a b-12 shot. I have to take the shot 1x a week for 1 mo. and 1x a month there after. A strange thing has been happening and just thought it may be a bad side effect from the shot. First off the first shot was give to me on Wed. the 21st. then Wed. the 28th. The shot on the 21 first made me tired and then by Friday I was on turbo speed LOL. But I was noticing in my left arm on my vein it was really putruding out ward like I was getting ready to have blood drawn. I have a bad pain in it all the way to my wrist. Then the pain went always by sun. Then on Wed. when I got the new shot I am going threw the same thing swollen puffed up vein with pain with pain. I do not take this shot in a vein it goes in the muscle. The first shot was in my Rt arm. the second shot was in my Rt. hip. So why the pain in the left arm in my vein? I am thinking I should be seen for this. Anyone have this problem. I have so much energy it's scaring me    — Janine Greenwood (posted on July 31, 2004)

July 31, 2004
I would go to the doctor and ask him/her about the pain in the left arm, it seems alittle strange to me. I take sublinqual B-12's that go under the tongue, maybe that would be better for you. I was told that the B-12 shots were the best, then the sublingqual, I was not going to get or give myself shots, before surgery I had to give myself two insulin shots daily for my diabetes, now that is gone, no more shots of any kind. The sublinquals are working very well, my blood results are normal. Also, the B-12 sublinqual's are alot cheeper than the shots.
   — cindy

July 31, 2004
I can't comment on your reaction. Just write it all down and fax it to the doc who Rx the B12 for you. But I do need to comment on the sublingual vs shots. Some of us do not have a choice. Most do in the beginning, but some do not. Only shots work. Unless you do them at the doc and have to pay a copay, the shots are MUCH cheaper to do than any orals. Even without insurance, I can get 1 30 shot vial for $7 at Costco (rx). Syringes are a bit more, at 4/$1. Very cheap to use. With ins, I think I pay $3, but don't always get the 30 shot vial. My ins is kinda capricious this way.
   — vitalady

August 1, 2004
I do the B-12 shots also. I just had my first one last month. They told me to give it in my lower part of the stomach. I wasn't told to do it in my arm or leg. The lower part of my stomach is fatty anyway, so it doesn't bother me. I would talk to you doctor about it. Good Luck!
   — Sharon Wolf

August 1, 2004
Janine...you need to see your doctor immediately. I don't want to scare you, but the symptoms you are describing with the pain, swelling, and redness could indicate either phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) or a blood clot. I am an ultrasound/xray technologist and have seen my fair share of each of those conditions. Plebitis is a serious thing, but even more serious would be a clot. You need to either go to the ER or see your doctor as soon as possible. Hope this helps...Good luck and God bless...Kathy
   — Katherine F.