Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group

Prescribed.

I have mine prescribed also, probably cheaper that way too.

prescribed I had really hard time getting a doctor to prescribe it again after it worked for me befor got me back to work the first time I was off for 90 days and it jump started me now I have been down and out of work for year it does not help my energy I take 2 x a week 1 ml my son gives me the shot in the hip/ butt . My point is before I found my specialist in cfs was finnaly diagnosed doctors refused to prescribe it because my b levels were normal let them know with cfs b12 and magnesium shots both help regardless of your levels the problem
with this condition is that some things help for some and not for others and some start to work and stop. sorry for the ramble ....................................
hope it was helpful

Hi. Before I was diagnosed with CFS, I had spent years searching for the cause of my fatigue.It grew steadily worse, though I managaed to work by giving up more of my life and taking giantic amounts of stimulants (caffeine....non prescription). It was hard to get anyone to listen (as you all must know). Finally, after an episode in which I could barely move, and had numbness, my B-12 was checked. It was extremely low- officially this is "pernicious anemia". Until (I think) the '30's or 40's, it was always fatal since they had not developed a method to deliver B-12, other than orally. Since the cause of pern anemia is an inability to absorb B-12 from the GI system....It is now treated easily with (generally) monthly IM injections. The problem is, low B-12 is usually an issue mostly in the elderly, so Dr's often don't check it. Also, B-12 is stored in the liver, and even if a person quits absorbing it normally, it takes years to deplete. the reserves. Even though it's essential, your body uses little. The typical dose is 1000 mcg (thousand micrograms), only aproximately 100 mcg of that is absorbed per shot. So it may take time to reach normal and will require ongoing therapy. This information is from research (I'm a nurse) and confirmed by a hematologist. I've had mine re-checked ( B-12 blood levels) and it's stayed within normal limits, and I have thus been told increasing the frequency (of shots)would do no good- on a personal level I disagree! While my medical training may tell me differently, I have noticed improvement when I've taken it 2 times per month. My opinion of this has been ignored, but perhaps, higher than normal B-12 IS helpful?! I'm not suggesting dramatically higher...though a study regarding it would beinteresting. ( And it may have even been done, but not that I've heard). Let me know your thoughts/experiences. Thanks Tina

Hi I am in Australia..I don,t need a prescription...I use methycobalimin B12..at the moment I use it twice weekly injections 2000mg..my hubby injects me...I wasn,t low in B12 but for some reason it helps me...I have used it for a few years at one stage I only had to have it once a month..this kept me in a moderate wellness range with rest management...I had a break for 12 months when my iron stores were 0...after getting them back to normal I slowly plummeted downhill badly..mainly in bed..I started the B12 again and am getting back some life...at least it keeps m out of bed a lot more...I strongly recommend it..give it at least 2 months unless you have a reaction to it..I know some people compromised by mercury have probs with it...my B12 was originally recommended by a CFS doc...his theory was that it thinned the blooda little and helped the blood flow thru our capillaries...I especially noticed an improvement in brain function and concentration...hope this helps hugs Julie xxxxx

I get mine from a pharmacy in Canada. I just buy it on the internet and it is sent to me.

I'd love to know the name of the pharmacy in Canada that sends B12 shots to you. I'll bet they won't allow it in New York though. I have recently learned that if you take B12 shots you should make sure to supplement with extra zinc, magnesium, iron, and folate as well as vitamins A,C, E. This is really important for people with CFS who are likely to be depleted and need more od all of these to balance the addition of the B12.

I went to an official CFIDS doctor this afternoon. I will be ordering my "supply" from a place in North Carolina (cheaper than MI) and will start injecting e/o week from here on out.

After a while, the B12 shots weren't doing anything for me. And it's not that my levels were sufficient. But like most everything, different things work at different times. So you may need to take a break for a while and come back to them. Yeah, magnesium shots are also very helpful. Painful though. But I think most of us would be willing to be hurt by a shot than suffer as much as we do.

Agreed. Things may work for awhile and then stop ... what a bummer. But at least it's a place to start trying!!! Until Dr. Shoemaker NO ONE would treat me for anything but depression!!!