Injectable B12 taken Orally?

[Marco]

This may be a non-issue but I hope you folks can help!

Following many months of fatigue and lethargy my wife's blood tests showed a very low level of serum B12. We are assuming its due to the fact that she has been vegetarian for 20 years of so and not due to an absorption issue.

She was prescribed B12 injections (cyanocobalamin) once per week for a month, then moving on to monthly etc. The fourth injection was due tomorrow.

For each of the past three weeks, following the injection she has had a number of known side effects including headaches, extreme thirst, flushing, diarhorrea, heart palpitations and even more tired than previously. I should add that she is a smoker.

She went to see her GP this morning who announced to her (and the other patients in the waiting room - bless!) that she was 'not normal' but wrote her another prescription to be taken orally - three times per week and if no adverse reactions, daily thereafter. The prescription states - 'to drink'.

What she received at the chemist was hydroxocobalamine (0.5mg/1ml) - injectable solution in glass or plastic ampules.

The instructions (in English thankfully) say nothing about taking this orally and we can't find anything indicating you can on the net.

Has anyone come across injectable B12 that can be taken orally?

 

[place]

Yes, look at the posts at the top. The stickies

 

[Sparrow]

As a side note, if she continues to have problems, you may want to consider starting off at a lower dose and gradually working up from there. A lot of us are sensitive to or have a "start up" response to B12, and need to go slowly with it. It's a very abnormal response in the community of "regular" people, but quite common here.

 

[Adster]

It's a good thing that she's not using cynocobalamin any more, it's quite inferior to other forms of b12 and requires the body to detox the cyanide component. Hydroxy is better if you are able to convert it into methyl b12. Some find methyl b12 superior to hydroxy. Your wife could hold drops of the hydroxy liquid under her tongue for better absorption than using it orally. Hold it there for as long as possible for best absorption. Reduce the dose if she has problems, or the amount of time held under the tongue.

These are just suggestions, I'm not a doc

 

[Marco]

Yes, look at the posts at the top. The stickies

Thanks folks

place - can you narrow that down a little please? There are an awful lot of posts there!

 

[taniaaust1]

I second what Adsters telling you.. cause my own specialist had me do just that in the past.

One day when I was asking my specialist about Sublingual B12 he told me I could take B12 ampules I was using for injections (it was the hydroxy form) Sublingually. I got told to swish it about my mouth and under my tongue and hold it there for a while before swallowing. (So I did take it like that).

I now thou take the methyl B12 Sublingual tablet form (its cheaper then doing the ampules under tongue). And notice more of a difference using methyl form like that then I did with the hydroxy injections.

The hydroxy form is a better form to be taking. (which the methyl is better still for some.. up to 20% of people need to be taking the methyl form).

 

[Marco]

Thanks Tania

That's reassuring. She has just taken the first ampule today and no ill effects so far and if all is well she'll start 'swishing' before swallowing.

It was a big relief to get something other than cyanoB12.

Now - any tips on how to open the glass ampules without showering the kitchen with glass?

 

[peggy-sue]

You need a strongish something with a rough/serrated edge. (such as a metal emery board)
Run it hard, in a straight line, over the neck of the ampoule, then just snap it. The top part will come away cleanly.

Take the B12 in the morning or it can keep you awake.

When you swish it around in your mouth and specifically under your tongue, it gets absorbed directly into the blood stream through the great big thick blood vessels you have under your tongue. Ideally, you should try to keep the tablet or solution there for about 40 minutes.

It doesn't have to undergo entry via the gut, or face any degradation in the stomach from enzymes there, or through first pass liver metabolism.

 

[Lotus97]

Thanks folks

place - can you narrow that down a little please? There are an awful lot of posts there!

Rich's protocol

Rich Vank's Simplified Methylation Protocol Poll

Revised Simplified Methylation Protocol (August 25, 2012 Revision)

Simplified Methylation Protocol Revised as of Today

Documents by Rich Van Konynenburg: Parts 1-7

1. 1. ​

Fredd's protocol

Active B12 Protocol Basics

Poll: Freddd's B-12 Treatment Plan

NEW - Revised Active B12 and Folate Protocol with Micro-titration

 

[Marco]

You need a strongish something with a rough/serrated edge. (such as a metal emery board)
Run it hard, in a straight line, over the neck of the ampoule, then just snap it. The top part will come away cleanly.

Take the B12 in the morning or it can keep you awake.

When you swish it around in your mouth and specifically under your tongue, it gets absorbed directly into the blood stream through the great big thick blood vessels you have under your tongue. Ideally, you should try to keep the tablet or solution there for about 40 minutes.

It doesn't have to undergo entry via the gut, or face any degradation in the stomach from enzymes there, or through first pass liver metabolism.

A belated thank you peggy-sue.

We found some pointers on the net. The ampules are marked and if you wrap them in a little kitchen roll and bend gently in the right place they snap off easily and cleanly.

Mrs Marco is going to work up to 'sublinguilly' slowly as she's still having some symptoms with the hydroxy.

 

[taniaaust1]

Yes they should snap clearly and easily if one just presses them in the right place to pop it apart.. there is a spot on them to help to know where to apply the pressure (I cant talk much about it as I usually get my boyfriend to do it as I have an irrational fear of slipping with it and cutting myself).