Question:
Is it better to have the b-12 shot or can I take it in pill form.?

What does vitamin b-12 provide for you?    — Mattsmom34 (posted on August 5, 2001)

August 5, 2001
Hi Wendy. First off all keep up the great work!!!!! Loosing in my stomach area has been the most frustrating for me also just to let you know, it will go down in time. Be patient and it will all work out! About your question about B-12, my doctor explained it to me like this: we need b-12 for normal neurological functions. Our body's naturally have a reserve of about seven years and the way we get b-12 is through absorbtion from our food. Since most of us have an absorbtion related surgery, we cannot not absorb the proper amounts of b-12 from our food, so, we must suppliment it through a method that our bodies wiil be able to absorb and store. One way is through injection, an other is with a b-12 nasal spray. It is a red gel and you use it once a week instead of getting a shot every 3-4 months. I think the nasal spray works best for me because it is a continuous dose. Meaning that you do not feel wore out and tired by the time you are due for your next dose as some feel when it is time for their shot. About the pill form, according to my doc,he says that the pill will not work because of the stomache/absorbtion issues. In other words it will pass right through you. I hope this helps and if you are interested, the name of the nasal spray is (I hope I spell this right) Nascrobal and of course it is only by prescription. Your doc should know about it as well. Hop this helps you in any way and feel free to email me if you have any more questions.KEEP UP THE EXCELLANT WORK GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   — Tonia B.

August 5, 2001
I'm supposed to take MANY, MANY, MANY pills do to the surgery and because of other problems I've had even before that. Well one of them is an IRON/B12 combination and I've decided I would rather get B12 shots than take the pills. Anything, but pills. I don't know what is going to happen to my health as I haven't been taking hardly any pills since May 8th... but I can't stand pills staying "mid throat" for 15 minutes before they go down. When you have to take at as many pills as I'm supposed to and go through that every day, it's just to much. Pass the needles...
   — Danmark

August 5, 2001
My doctor said that the other forms of B 12 haven't proved to be as good at absorbing as the shot so he recomends a shot each month....now I had diabites when I was pregnant and had givin myself shots of insulin so he prescribed me the needles and b 12 to administer it myself once a month.
   — [Anonymous]

August 5, 2001
Hi - my Doc is having me self-inject 1cc b-12 a week. The needle is extremely small and almost painless!! I have some trouble with swallowing pills since surgery so for me, the shot is great!! Good Luck!
   — chance2lv

August 5, 2001
Well, there are several ways to asnwer your question. You can use the sublingual form of pills and that will slow the descent of your B12 level. The Rx nasal spray will also slow it, but I've never seen either of this bring somsone out of deficiency. Personally, I will not use lozenges or chews, (personal taste), so it's much easier for me to shoot myself. My doc & I watch my labs to stay at the correct doseage, so it's easy to control the levels. Now, if I can cut 'n paste, here's excerpts on B12: Excerpted from Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible------- (bearing in mind that he is talking to people who have the use of their stomachs and access to intrinsic factor, which does NOT apply to RNY people) Water soluble & effective in very small doses. Commonly known as the "red vitamin", also cyanocobalamin. Cyanocobalamin is the commercial available form of vitamin B12 used in vitamin pills. measured in micrograms (mcg). The only vitamin that contains essential mineral elements. NOT WELL ASSIMILATED THROUGH THE STOMACH. A diet low in B12 and high in folic acids, (such as a vegetarian diets) often hides a vitamin B12 deficiency. A properly functioning thyroid gland helps B12 absorption. Symptoms of B12 deficiency may take more than 5 years to appear after body stores have been depleted. In the human diet, vitamin B12 is supplied primarily animal products, since plant foods (with minor exceptions) don't contain it. What it can do for you: Form & regenerate red blood cells, thereby preventing anemia. Promote growth & increase appetite in children. Increase energy. Maintain a healthy nervous system. Properly utilize fats, carbohydrates & protein. Relieve irritability. Improve concentration, memory and balance. Deficiency: pernicious anemia Best natural sources: Liver, beef, pork, eggs, milk, cheese, kidney. Supplements: Because B12 is not absorbed well through the stomach, (Earl Mindell) recommends the sublingual form of the vitamin, (and another one we cannot use) Toxicity: There have been no cases reported of Vitamin B12 toxicity, even on megadose regimens Enemies: acids & alkalies, water, sunlight, alcohol, estrogen, sleeping pills If you are a vegetarian and have excluded eggs & dairy products from your diet, then you need B12 supplementation. (this would also apply to those who cannot digest these or mix them with intrinsic factor--people with the lower stomach out of the system) If you drink a lot, B12 is an important supplement for you. Combined with folic acid, B12 can be a most effective revitalize. Surprisingly heavy protein consumers may also need extra amounts of the vitamin, which works synergistically with almost all other B vitamins, as well as vitamins A, E & C. Elderly people (another reference reads "over 50") frequently have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 and require supplementation by injection. Women may find B12 helpful, as part of a B complex, during & just prior to menstruation. ********* Combining symptoms mentioned: body odor heart palpitations, menstrual problems, mouth sores & cracks, vaginal itching-----to list a few........
   — vitalady