are you anemic?  or have you been? 

altho my only medical training involved handwriting (mine is indecipherable and should have more than made me eligible for harvard med), anemia (and the accompanying lack of energy) would be one of the few legitimate uses of injectible b-12 of which im familiar. 

in the 60s, injections of b-12 were a minor fad (encouraged, i believe, by reports about jfk and celebrities recieving them--even tho it turned out the park ave dr feelgood who was that year's doc to the stars was actually shooting them up with a cocktail including a substantial amoung of amphetamine).  i knew people who swore by b-12 injections as an instant hangover cure (ive never seen any reliable literature to back that claim tho).  everytime ive wandered into one of the frontera border towns (laredo, tijuana, etc.), ive seen signs advertising clinics offering b-12 injections.

if it were me and i wasnt anemic, id get a second opinion.  it might turn out that im totally mis- or uninformed, but better to find that out up front right?  

B-12 also affects the nervous system.  It is one of the vitamins that are recommended for anyone who has autoimmune disease.  However, it is usually suggested that you take it in a multivitamin and make sure that you are getting either 1/2 pint of milk a day, 1 egg or eat B-12 enriched foods (most veggie patties and vegan foods are fortified with B-12)

Ever hear those ads about Milk and weight loss?  They say that people who drink milk lose weight faster?  They say that it's because of the calcium, but other researchers claim that it is the B-12.

However, I am not sure that shots will give you any more benefit than a vitamin or eating foods with B-12.  Do they have any statistics that they can show you?

Except for the treatment of pernicious anemia, in which B-12 cannot be absorbed from the gut, there is no documented benefit from B-12 shots. No known harm, either, aside from the injection pain.

Cheers,
Daiwa

Good info guys.  I have been anemic for many years (since 1990 I believe).  It got really bad when I had my first child.  I didn't know there was any link with the anemia and B-12 but I'll ask.

Thanks!

Because of my own illness my absorption of B vitamins has been harmed. I have learned that B vitamin deficiency over an extended period can cause serious, and irrevocable mental damage ( can you tell? ... ). I also don't absorb zinc like I should, so I am double-damned, lol. Zinc deficiency can make you nuts, but you bounce back once you get it in your system. B vitamin damage is permanent . =/.

If you need it, take it. I don't think shots for hangovers and such is the right thing to do, but if you doctor gives you a good reason why you aren't getting what you need, I'd do what I could to supplement.

When I was 17, I went two times a week for these shots for months. The bruises from them were terrible and I felt no better. But anemia is a whole different ball game. I agree with talking to your doctor.

I've tried massive B-12 in multivitamins, and energy drinks, and was wired through the roof. I'm pretty certain it wasn't psychosomatic. Perhaps it affects some people, and some people not so much.

Dear JillUser,

I take B12 shots on a bi weekly basis and they work for me. I am HIV+ and have been since 1986. I started taking B12 shots about 5 years ago and back then I was on a 3 time a week regimen. Now I get them bi-weekly and my energy is not the greatest but it is at where a 40 year old man should be. Seeing that I am 40, something is working. I don't take any other drugs or pills except for a multi vitamen once a day. I eat like I am suppose to and get the rest I need. My suggestion is give it a try and see how you feel in a couple of months. I believe as with anything that we add to our bodies, that the benefits or the consequences of this do not show themselves for 6 to 8 weeks.

Good luck! Stay Gold!

delvryboy

Thanks all!  I talked to the doc today (BP was 110/70, yay!), he said my anemia is definitely a factor in trying the B-12 shots and I might not experience a boost in energy until after I have been getting them a couple of times.  We are going to wait a week and try another shot.  I will keep you all updated.