I just watched two documentaries "American Addict" and "The Big Lie: American Addict 2" Which explained off label prescription writing and the horror that our country is in bc of direct marketing/commercials for prescription drugs that are not necessary but people want them bc they see happy active people in the commercials and then ask their doctors for prescription drugs when they are not sick or in crisis. What really is B12 shots? My parents are handing over their veins weekly? In hope of what? Are there any side affects I should look for? I noticed my mom's leg shaking at my visit with them last week. She was also pushing the coffee on me refilling my cup more than usual and the coffee itself was stronger than usual. My mom was involved with phen phen, had a stroke, has a history with popping diet pills starting with over the counter Dexetrim back in the day. I just think it's creepy that they are weekly being injected with something they can't explain to me and I now have knowledge of off labeling from greedy doctors. Please advise. Thank you.
People lacking in B12 can get very fatigued and unfocused.
From what I know about it, B12 gets flushed quickly out of a body thru urine. So it doesn't build up in your body like fat soluble vitamins.
If you have a B12 deficiency, it can be debilitating. I had one years ago, thankfully we got it under control with a long round of injections, but it took a while to narrow down the issue and I ended up on emergency short term disability with temporary memory impairment, numbness and tingling in my hands and feet but especially my hands (which for someone who spends 8-12 hours a day on a computer was catastrophic), shortness of breath (on top of what had been controlled asthma) terrible fatigue, dizziness, rapid heartrate to the point that they thought I was having a heart attack. I was out of work for 6 weeks, and it took them about 2 weeks to rule out the heart problems they initially zeroed in on and 4 more weeks of the B12 injections.
Thankfully I can absorb oral B12 and take megadoses to this day to keep my levels up.
Every once in a while if I get sick with something like a stomach bug I have to get an injection.
If a doctor is prescribing B12 injections, that's not to be taken lightly.
It’s not that unusual for older folks to need B12 shots. B12 levels can be monitored by blood test, and dose and frequency adjusted based on blood test results .
Below you say they are lifelong drinkers .
Alcohol also depletes one of B12, causing the need for supplement .
I’d be a lot more worried about the amount of alcohol at their age than the B12 supplement .
1. Get admitted to medical school, which is not easy to do.
2. Spend next 4 years having no life from studying.
3. Spend 3 more years as an intern. This is also when they work 24-hour straight shifts.
4. Spend the next few years in residency.
5. Being $500k in debt from student loans.
….. all so they can be greedy and give patients needless shots or meds. Really?
People who think doctors are just part of a moneymaking scam are usually the ones who think vaccines are a conspiracy and happy thoughts will help cure cancer.
I have B12 deficiency anaemia, which used to be known as pernicious anaemia.
I can't absorb B12, so tablets can't help me and I have to have regular injections.
When my B12 levels have gone dangerously low, I have had to have injections every day for a week. My levels are maintained by injections every 3 months.
I can tell when it's coming up to my next injection because I'll have excessive pins and needles in my feet and hands, and I will feel more tired than usual.
My doctor first ordered the blood test for B12 when I suffered a severe memory loss about a year after having had spinal surgery. If B12 anaemia affects brain function, it's very serious.
It seems that what little B12 my body had was depleted by my nerves in the time after the surgery. B12 is needed for healthy nerve function. I think that my continued nerve damage was partly caused by the delay in my receiving treatment for spine damage and a low level of B12 when the nerves needed to be repaired.
I eat plenty of food with B12, but my body can't absorb it properly. I think that older people might also have difficulties with absorbing enough vitamins and minerals. It could also be that their diet isn't as good as it was when they were younger.
I can't say whether your parents really need the injections, but B12 won't cause any harm. It's just having to go and have injections every week that could be a problem. (I've never heard of weekly injections, but they're painful so it might be their dr is spacing out what would have been an initial daily course, like I had.)
I'm in the UK, so any treatment costs the NHS and my GP wouldn't give me something I didn't need.
It's a generic vitamin, so I can't see it benefitting big pharma from your parents having a course of B12.
As for the gummies, they're not addictive, but they can help with low mood and pain.
It's not up to you to allow your parents to do anything. They're adults and this is their life. You need to live your own life.
Here's a more detailed look:
Why they're used:
B12 shots are a quick and effective way to raise B12 levels in the body. They are particularly useful for individuals who have difficulty absorbing B12 through their digestive system or who are at higher risk of deficiency, such as older adults, vegans, and vegetarians.
Potential benefits:
Increased energy: B12 is involved in energy production, so injections can help combat fatigue and boost energy levels.
Improved mood: Some studies suggest that B12 deficiency can contribute to mood changes, and injections may help alleviate these symptoms.
Enhanced brain function: B12 is crucial for healthy brain function, and injections can help improve mental clarity, focus, and memory.
Support for nerve health: B12 is essential for maintaining healthy nerve function, and injections may help reduce nerve damage caused by a deficiency.
Potential role in weight management: While not a direct weight loss solution, B12 can boost metabolism and energy levels, potentially aiding in weight management efforts.
Administration and duration:
B12 shots are usually given intramuscularly (into a muscle) or deep under the skin. The frequency of injections depends on the individual's B12 levels and the cause of the deficiency.
Side effects:
While generally safe, B12 shots can cause mild side effects like pain, swelling, or itching at the injection site, as well as nausea, diarrhea, or dizziness.
Don't think your Moms shaking is being caused by Vit B12. It is very easy to get drugs thru the internet. I know a woman who had a pain pill addiction and was able to order thru the internet. I would go with Mom to her doctor. Ask about what you have been seeing. Maybe labs can be done to see what she is taking other than the B12.
A good doctor would not prescribe a medication thats not necessary just because a patient wants to try it. Ordering it from the internet is another thing.
Doctors have been prescribing B12 for alcoholics going back to before my grandfather was hospitalized to recover from his addiction circa 1960. Alcohol prevents the body from absorbing nutrients. B12 helps the addict's body absorb nutrients. Inability to absorb nutrients is why alcoholics lose weight, wither away and die. Oh, and let's not forget Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is dementia caused by alcohol use. Those poor souls shake and stagger (the "funny drunk" of TV comedy sketches, but it's not funny, it's sad because they can die of their addiction). B12 may be prescribed for W-K sufferers as part of their treatment plan.
Worry less about your parents' doctors prescribing B12 and focus on what may be the core problem - their possible substance addiction, for which B12 may help if it's not too late.
First of all, they are not handing over their veins, as B12 is given sub-Q, not IV. Most people inject their own if they are able to. This medication is prescribed for pernicious anemia.
I suggest you use your favorite search engine; the internet is your friend. And look up this condition. But briefly, from the internet "Pernicious anemia, one of the causes of vitamin B12 deficiency, is an autoimmune condition that prevents your body from absorbing vitamin B12. Left untreated, pernicious anemia can cause serious medical issues, including irreversible damage to your nervous system."
If you are medical POA you can discuss this with your parent's MD. If not, use your own research to inform yourself.
As to advising, I, as an old retired RN would advise you to ask your parent's permission to discuss their requirement for this medication with their doctors.
I'm so glad the nurse at the GP's surgery gives me my B12 injection. It hurts and I am an absolute baby about it!
I do worry about the memory issues I've suffered because of pernicious anaemia (before I was diagnosed) as that means there was neurological damage. Right now, I have burning fingertips due to neuropathy.
I think that these problems have got worse as I've got older, so I'm not surprised that the couple's doctor is treating their deficiency as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Which they are getting under a doctor's supervision.
It really sounds to me that you want to forbid your parents to take anything unless you personally approve it.
Are these shots really the hill you want to die on? There may come a time you will have to legitimately fight your parents' doctors on much more important issues. Choose your battles more wisely.
That's like comparing antibiotics to amphetamines.
B12 is not a snake oil, it has been used for decades in the treatment of anemia, pernicious anemia, general malaise, etc.
I don't take shots but I take my B12 daily in a B complex vitamin that is super beneficial to my overall well-being.
Your parents are adults and you should respect the fact that they are doing things to keep their quality of life. If your dad doesn't notice a difference, he may not have a problem with b vitamin in his system.
Oh, as far as the coffee being stronger, have they changed brands? I just bought a new bean and it is a lot stronger than the last bag.
My dad asked me, "how do we know if it's helping or hurting us?" I didn't know. You mention your husband had been helped. Can you please explain in detail what he is experiencing now with b12 treatment? And what he was up against prior to this treatment. Discerning from my dad's question he is not sensing improvement. Why continue any treatment if it's not delivering what it claims?
Low levels of B12 can lead to all kinds of health problems: anemia, increased tingling in limbs due to neuropathy, low energy, neurological problems to name a few.
B12 shots are not anything new, they've been around since the 1930's.
B12 is also a water soluble vitamin, meaning your body will expel any "extra" through urination. Which means that, unlike the vitamins that are fat soluble, your body won't ever build up to a level that is toxic.
I can understand your reticence, especially given your mom's past history, but really, a simple google search would have set your mind at ease.
My husband has low B12 levels and goes often for a shot of B12, in addition to a daily supplemental B12 vitamin. There have been absolutely no side effects, and the shots help his peripheral neuropathy very much.