In recent years, it’s become quite common to read about celebrities such as Madonna taking vitamin B12 injections to get more energy. Is there truth to the matter?
It is a known fact that vitamin B12 helps maintain various parts of the body, including the skin and hair, the nervous system and the liver; more importantly, it has been linked to the function of the immune system – which is often a significant component in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – where it is weakened from one reason or another. Consequently, vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms can definitely result in extreme constant fatigue.
Fortunately, vitamin B12 deficiency can be found out through a simple blood test. If indeed your body does not get enough vitamin B12, which could happen from a variety of reasons: not eating certain foods, inability to absorb it properly, etc, then getting vitamin B12 shot may indeed be helpful for you.
In fact, some doctors consider getting vitamin B12 shots to be a crucial component of a treatment for CFS sufferers regardless of their cause, as it is so frequently helpful. These shots can either be administered in the doctor’s office by a nurse (or the doctor himself), or even at home by yourself, after getting some minimal training.
Vitamin B12 can be taken in many forms. You could get it in Liquid form (Vitamin B12 – Liquid, 4 oz), you could get it in sublingual form – that is, under the tongue (B12 w/B6 Sublingual – 30 tab), you can get it as lozenges (B12 Lozenges – 2000 mcg 100 lozenges). Of course, you can also get it in the form of injections.
Personally speaking, this is another one of the treatments I have tried. I’ve taken B12 injections on a weekly basis (though I’ve read online that a bi-weekly shot is recommended). Though admittedly I never gathered the courage to give the shots myself and preferred to have a nurse perform this every time. In addition, I’ve taken vitamin B12 in sublingual form, twice a day (I never really understood why it must be under the tongue – perhaps for quicker absorption?).
Since my improvement occurred roughly during this time, I can only conclude that this is one of the few treatments that has been helpful for me. My own B12 deficiency was pretty bad according to the blood work – probably it was some kind of poor absorption issue.
Although I cannot say I’m cured, my condition has definitely improved. However, I wouldn’t recommend that you just start giving yourself B-12 shots. Discuss this with your doctor and find out whether you have a B12 deficiency. And in this case, work out a plan to treat it – preferably with a specialist who is very familiar with these issues.
On a final note, if you live in New York City, I’ll be more than happy to give you the name of the doctor who treated me (or you can just search for him on the web, you’re likely to locate him the same way I did).
As always, please keep me – and the readers of this blog – updated whether this has been successful for you.
Summary of options in case you are interested in getting Vitamin B12
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March 12th, 2010 at 8:53 am
I’ve been diagnosed as being B12 deficient. I’ve received two B12 shots so far. Yet, I’ve seen no improvement in my amount of fatigue/energy. In fact, I’m so exhausted I can hardly stand it.
March 13th, 2010 at 1:53 am
I take B12 shots. But I give them myself. So this has greatly cut down on the cost of them. Plus my insurance gladly pay 100% of the cost of the rx. I think its really simple to give yourself a shot. I know that it helps me also.
March 14th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
It is really simple to give yourself a shot. I also had this option – but I chose to go to my nurse every week (it was on my way to work)… still, definitely possible and saves time and effort.
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:24 am
I’ve been taking B complex for quite some time to help with my symptoms. I have never heard of the sublingual stuff but I have to say I am definitely going to check it out. Where can you get it? Is it at the drug store or do you have to go to ‘Good Earth’-type stores?