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Another view of B12
I'm trying to get my thoughts together regarding vitamin B12. Back in the pre-diagnostic days, I had my levels checked several times, even had a Schilling test, and all was normal. Last test I remember, my level was 400 whatevers, which was then considered fine, now on the low end but still just fine.
I have been plagued with typical MS fatigue, low energy, lack of motivation, the usual stuff. Provigil did nothing for me, sad to say, and I can't take Ampyra because it makes neuropathic pain worse. I asked my MS NP for any further suggestions, and she came up with B12.
My regular multivitamin, which I've been taking forever, of course contains B12, but I figured, what the hell. I went to Walmart and bought more supplement. This is listed as Finest Natural timed release B12, 2000 micrograms. Not sublingual, but sort of horse pills. I had read up on this a bit, and learned that the sublingual type are not necessarily better. B12 is hard to absorb thru the digestive process, so the pills adjust for this by containing more. Maybe 2000 is what can be absorbed, I don't know.. It is not known what the max dose is for toxicity to set in, but what I'm taking is well within known safe boundaries.
Well, I started taking it and otherwise forgot the whole issue. I take so many pills each morning, and this was just one more, no big deal. But after a couple of weeks it occurred to me that my energy was greater and I needed less sleep. Immediately thought of the B12. I wondered if it was the placebo effect, but figured that's fine, I'll take what I can get.
Now it's been 4 or 5 weeks and I still feel more energized. This could well be from an easing of the fatigue which would have happened anyway, though it hasn't let up in years otherwise. It could also be from small changes in emotional issues, who knows.
So I'm not making any pitches for B12, and of course this is strictly anecdotal. But for others who feel 'what the hell,' it sure won't hurt anything.
ess
I have been plagued with typical MS fatigue, low energy, lack of motivation, the usual stuff. Provigil did nothing for me, sad to say, and I can't take Ampyra because it makes neuropathic pain worse. I asked my MS NP for any further suggestions, and she came up with B12.
My regular multivitamin, which I've been taking forever, of course contains B12, but I figured, what the hell. I went to Walmart and bought more supplement. This is listed as Finest Natural timed release B12, 2000 micrograms. Not sublingual, but sort of horse pills. I had read up on this a bit, and learned that the sublingual type are not necessarily better. B12 is hard to absorb thru the digestive process, so the pills adjust for this by containing more. Maybe 2000 is what can be absorbed, I don't know.. It is not known what the max dose is for toxicity to set in, but what I'm taking is well within known safe boundaries.
Well, I started taking it and otherwise forgot the whole issue. I take so many pills each morning, and this was just one more, no big deal. But after a couple of weeks it occurred to me that my energy was greater and I needed less sleep. Immediately thought of the B12. I wondered if it was the placebo effect, but figured that's fine, I'll take what I can get.
Now it's been 4 or 5 weeks and I still feel more energized. This could well be from an easing of the fatigue which would have happened anyway, though it hasn't let up in years otherwise. It could also be from small changes in emotional issues, who knows.
So I'm not making any pitches for B12, and of course this is strictly anecdotal. But for others who feel 'what the hell,' it sure won't hurt anything.
ess
~
I'm so happy it seems to work so well for you, Ess. I know you have been plagued with fatigue for such a long time. A nurse I work with swears by the shots. I think I will ask my doc about them.
Feel well, dear friend!
Lots of hugs,
*
I'm so happy it seems to work so well for you, Ess. I know you have been plagued with fatigue for such a long time. A nurse I work with swears by the shots. I think I will ask my doc about them.
Feel well, dear friend!
Lots of hugs,
*
There are several types of B-12. Some folks do a lot better taking methylcobalamin rather than cyanocobalamin which is the cheaper and usual type stuck out there for sale and in most multivitamins.
If you are taking B-12, try switching to methylcobalamin and see if it makes a difference.
Also there exists an intrinsic factor that helps a person assimilate B-12 and if its lacking, you might not get the full benefit of the B-12. Folate along with B-12 is a good idea as folic acid helps the red blood cells regulate in size and shape and stickiness I think.
There is a product out there called Intrinsi B-12/Folate which has both B-12 and folic acid in the active form of folic acid, L-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF), and the needed intrinsic factor Another product called Folapro, also uses the active form but Folapro doesn't have B-12. I won't say who makes these, but googling them will turn up the maker. Expensive but well worth it.
FWIW, my Neuro wants my B-12 levels in the stratosphere. As long as I test out of range high, she is happy, saying it makes a ton of difference in nerve remylination.
I get a B-12 shot weekly. Really does help me keep up and running I think. I can feel a burst of energy and good humor about an hour after the shot. I have an EMT friend who does "drive by shootings" for me each week. We get a laugh out of that expression.
Cheers Everyone, Enjoy a happy and safe 4th of July.
Jessica
If you are taking B-12, try switching to methylcobalamin and see if it makes a difference.
Also there exists an intrinsic factor that helps a person assimilate B-12 and if its lacking, you might not get the full benefit of the B-12. Folate along with B-12 is a good idea as folic acid helps the red blood cells regulate in size and shape and stickiness I think.
There is a product out there called Intrinsi B-12/Folate which has both B-12 and folic acid in the active form of folic acid, L-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF), and the needed intrinsic factor Another product called Folapro, also uses the active form but Folapro doesn't have B-12. I won't say who makes these, but googling them will turn up the maker. Expensive but well worth it.
FWIW, my Neuro wants my B-12 levels in the stratosphere. As long as I test out of range high, she is happy, saying it makes a ton of difference in nerve remylination.
I get a B-12 shot weekly. Really does help me keep up and running I think. I can feel a burst of energy and good humor about an hour after the shot. I have an EMT friend who does "drive by shootings" for me each week. We get a laugh out of that expression.
Cheers Everyone, Enjoy a happy and safe 4th of July.
Jessica
I currently take 1000 mcg daily, as recommended by the doctor. However, I may up that based on this discussion. Worth a try!
Hi, Jean. Yes, many members here have, or have had, very low B12. But I'm talking about extra B12 even when labs are normal.
Can't say for sure that my supplements have caused my noticeable energy boost, though I think too many weeks have passed for it to be the placebo effect. So it's either that or some other change in my health that I can't pinpoint.
ess
Can't say for sure that my supplements have caused my noticeable energy boost, though I think too many weeks have passed for it to be the placebo effect. So it's either that or some other change in my health that I can't pinpoint.
ess
Prior to being diagnosed, a blood test showed I had B12 deficiency. My doc put me on B12 shots for a few months, and then I went on daily B12 vitamins.
When I had my shots (especially the first one), the feeling was dramatic. I had so much more energy and didn't want to sleep all the time. If I could get the effects of a B12 shot every week, I'd go for it! What a difference.
Unfortunately, I now have a "normal" B12 level, and the daily vitamin has virtually no effect.
But I encourage people to have a blood test to measure their B12. You could get very energetic and happy for a few months. Totally worth it!
=)
Jean
When I had my shots (especially the first one), the feeling was dramatic. I had so much more energy and didn't want to sleep all the time. If I could get the effects of a B12 shot every week, I'd go for it! What a difference.
Unfortunately, I now have a "normal" B12 level, and the daily vitamin has virtually no effect.
But I encourage people to have a blood test to measure their B12. You could get very energetic and happy for a few months. Totally worth it!
=)
Jean
I used to get B12 injections (10 years ago) for symptomatic treatment and at first I did not recognize the shots were doing anything, but after I took them, I noticed I just felt happy, leaves had regained the color, and all of life seemed a little more vibrant. It was undoubtedly from the injections.
As a lot of symptoms of pernicious anemia seem to be similar to MS, I started taking a B12 combo lozenge/wafer along with a D3 sublingual liquid preparation. Also I read somewhere that taking folate and B12 seems to help the myelin restore itself. (I've never had abnormal B12 labs but was treated symptomatically in 2002.)
Well, I was either on my way up or these things started helping me...
My Hx: I'm not diagnosed with MS--but I am working on being diagnosed with something [x 10 roughly years], I guess. I had my MRI with and without contrast yesterday. Waiting for results still. I do have hypothyroidism x20+ years of treatment.
B12 is water soluable and cannot hurt you--(B12 cannot hurt you---I do not mean water soluble vitamins cannot hurt you, just B12). (D vitamins however are fat soluble and can kill at high enough doses.) If you are looking for a boost, it does not hurt to try B12, preferrably sublingually, in my humble opinion. It is my friend. ;)
As a lot of symptoms of pernicious anemia seem to be similar to MS, I started taking a B12 combo lozenge/wafer along with a D3 sublingual liquid preparation. Also I read somewhere that taking folate and B12 seems to help the myelin restore itself. (I've never had abnormal B12 labs but was treated symptomatically in 2002.)
Well, I was either on my way up or these things started helping me...
My Hx: I'm not diagnosed with MS--but I am working on being diagnosed with something [x 10 roughly years], I guess. I had my MRI with and without contrast yesterday. Waiting for results still. I do have hypothyroidism x20+ years of treatment.
B12 is water soluable and cannot hurt you--(B12 cannot hurt you---I do not mean water soluble vitamins cannot hurt you, just B12). (D vitamins however are fat soluble and can kill at high enough doses.) If you are looking for a boost, it does not hurt to try B12, preferrably sublingually, in my humble opinion. It is my friend. ;)
Whooohooo! Glad it worked for you, placebo effect or not. Good to have that bit of info under my belt for when I need it. Thanks for sharing.
Julie
Julie
Thats promising! From your experience, think I'm going to visit Wally World and get me some too!
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