Question:
What are the signs of lack of B12?

I have recently been diagnosed with low B12 levels and have to have monthly injections. I wasn't aware of any symptoms prior to the first injection but about 10 days before the 2nd injection was due I became very tired, nauseous and got the most terrible acne ever! Could these be signs of low B12 levels or was it just a coincidence? By the way, the day after my 2nd injection I felt fine again.    — Marie B. (posted on February 27, 2002)

February 27, 2002
hi ....my surgeon said that i should inject myself monthly when i get tired as apparently he said that we get tired before our b12 shows up as low on the tests .....i asked what did he mean by tired how to gauge it ,,,he said i would know by time and experience ...i now know what he mwans as i get this real heavy dog weary tiredness and after the injection within 24 hours i feel a marked differnce by 48 hours i feel fighting fit and am back on track... hope this helps answer your question.... ....rach.....nz
   — Rachel F.

February 27, 2002
We do need B12, yes. Can you get a doc to run B12 blood work maybe 1 week before & 1 week after your shot? To hold me in a reasonable range, 4 weeks was not enough, 3 weeks was not enough, 2 weeks was perfect. But rather than have me "feel" it, bad/good, my PCP was suspicous of all this shot business and wanted numbers. That worked for me since I am a big fan of seeing the numbers.
   — vitalady

February 27, 2002
Fatigue is one of the many symptoms you can get. Since B-12 is very important neurologically, you can have all sorts of problems. In fact B-12 deficiency can mimic multiple scelorsis, lupus, and lyme disease. Not trying to scare you or anything, just wanted to let you know it has all kinds of symptoms
   — Cherie P.

February 28, 2002
For the first 6 months post op I was a walking zombie. I could hardly have the strenght to get out of a chair. It was like having one foot in the grave. I begged my doctor (not surgeon) for bi monthly shots. But she would only let me have them once a month. After she got tired of hearing me bitching long enough she wrote out a script for a blood test. Sure enough my levels were WAY DOWN LOW! Duh. Then I started getting the bi- monthly shots. It took a couple of months for it to build up, but it was just what I needed. However by the time it had built up so I had energy, it is winter and I can't walk anyway. So it did'nt do me any good except that I felt better. The low B-12 make me feel like I had worked 24 hours straigth, not had sleep for 48 hours then been run over by a bus and crapped out of some animals hind end. It was terrible.
   — Danmark

February 28, 2002
For the first 6 months my doctor wants his patients to take bi-weekly shots of B-12. After 6 months its once a monthly. I'm only 2 weeks post-op and I have received one B-12 shot, it didn't seem to help with the fatique, hopefully after my next shot I will feel better.
   — Melissa W.

February 28, 2002
If you fell asleep typing this question.... that would be a sign of low B12.
   — Goldilauxx B.

September 2, 2002
symptoms are mild as in general tiredness to severe as in muscle cramps, slurred speech, overall body cramp. Don't let this happen to you...if your bariatric specialist won't let you have them then if you have a good rep with your pcp get a script from him. I take mine every 10 days for right now and I am 7 weeks post op. I can't wait the full two weeks yet. Because of other problems advancing my diet and not getting in the protein I need the b12 is a lifesaver. Good luck Muriel
   — Muriel M.