Anyone have benefit from only B12 supplementation?

[Balrog]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here. I have symptoms that could indicate ME/CFS. However, in my situation I started on B12 supplementation about 6 weeks ago. It's made huge difference but I've had a hard time getting stable and the quantity I'm taking is far greater than normal B12 supplementation. That's what initially drew me here is the amount of B12 being taken daily.

Currently I'm taking b12 shots, 1000 mcg (1 mg) cyanocobalamin. I had to do the injections for 11 days in a row along with 30 - 100 mg oral (both methyl and cyano versions). I'm more stable now, taking a shot every other day and oral is only around 20 mg (but I also allow the tablets to dissolve slowly as learned here which does seem to make them a lot more effective). I've only been on the shots for 2 weeks. Before that was oral only which I still had a powerful affect but it was far less stable and changed throughout the day. The shots seem to be dampening the swings.

I am currently ONLY treating with B12. With just B12 the difference is huge, night and day. I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or not? I do have an appt with a B12 specialist this week and I hope to learn more then. From what I have read so far it seems most folks here have to use a far more comprehensive supplementation regimen in order to get results. Any thoughts or experiences similar to this would be of great interest!

Thanks!

 

[nerd]

I don't share these positive experiences with high doses of oral B12+Folate. But I only had a mild deficiency intracellularly. In my case, high doses caused strong heart pounding and made my hyper-metabolism worse, e.g. by causing unrest and sleeplessness during the night. I also developed neuropathic issues soon after I began B12 treatment, but this might be due to potassium as I've read yesterday in your welcome post's comment by Mary and the reference to this post, or it might just be a coincidence. I've tried high-dose B12 multiple times, though, and my heart always remains overactive for 1-2 days.

 

[deb74]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here. I have symptoms that could indicate ME/CFS. However, in my situation I started on B12 supplementation about 6 weeks ago. It's made huge difference but I've had a hard time getting stable and the quantity I'm taking is far greater than normal B12 supplementation. That's what initially drew me here is the amount of B12 being taken daily.

Currently I'm taking b12 shots, 1000 mcg (1 mg) cyanocobalamin. I had to do the injections for 11 days in a row along with 30 - 100 mg oral (both methyl and cyano versions). I'm more stable now, taking a shot every other day and oral is only around 20 mg (but I also allow the tablets to dissolve slowly as learned here which does seem to make them a lot more effective). I've only been on the shots for 2 weeks. Before that was oral only which I still had a powerful affect but it was far less stable and changed throughout the day. The shots seem to be dampening the swings.

I am currently ONLY treating with B12. With just B12 the difference is huge, night and day. I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or not? I do have an appt with a B12 specialist this week and I hope to learn more then. From what I have read so far it seems most folks here have to use a far more comprehensive supplementation regimen in order to get results. Any thoughts or experiences similar to this would be of great interest!

Thanks!

I was thinking of trying vitamin b12. After reading your post I am going to give it a try, I have also read that it helps your body to retain iron which is a problem for me as my iron levels seem to drop very quickly adding to my fatigue.

 

[Balrog]

@deb74. I would recommend you look over information on this site from more experienced members to figure out what might benefit you. I have far less experience that others here have.

As an update on my experience I'm now taking supplements that include other things besides just B12, what are commonly called "cofactors." So far I'm having a better outcome from this, but time will really tell. I recommend everyone who comes here looking for answers to take your time and work through the info on this site. There is a lot of great stuff and it covers a broad range of experiences.

 

[seamyb]

@deb74. I would recommend you look over information on this site from more experienced members to figure out what might benefit you. I have far less experience that others here have.

As an update on my experience I'm now taking supplements that include other things besides just B12, what are commonly called "cofactors." So far I'm having a better outcome from this, but time will really tell. I recommend everyone who comes here looking for answers to take your time and work through the info on this site. There is a lot of great stuff and it covers a broad range of experiences.

Can you list the cofactors please? And how are you doing?

 

[Balrog]

I'm currently taking the Thorne Neurochondria and Methylguard Plus. I'm also supplementing with additional B12 injections and oral (where I started). I've only been taking the Thorne supplements for just over a week. So far the results are positive but it's very early on. I have trans-dermal B12 oil on its way from down under, should be here Tuesday. I'm hopeful with it I may be able to stop injections. I'm down to a shot every other day for the last 4 days which is about the best I've had so far.

I have had specific, objective improvements. Since starting on B12 my IBS issues have stopped completely (fingers crossed). I can also move my big toes again and the stockingfoot neuropathy in my feet is mostly gone. I have a benign dark spotting skin condition I've had for at least 20 years that got much worse after chemo that is now disappearing. The Thorne supplements definitely spurred these improvements however pain issues remain highly variable as does mental function/capacity. Also, with the Thorne supplements I have had several days where I slept off and on throughout the day. I've had this from fatigue many times before but this was different. For lack of better words, it felt like my body was very, very "busy." I believe this may be due to a number of biological processes kicking into gear. My metabolism has very obviously changed as my body is now far more efficient at processing food than it was before (i.e. increased intake with decreased output if you get my drift).

Now that I have become aware of the P.E.M. cycle I'm managing my physical and mental activity very closely. I'm an overdoer by habit, always trying to do more, faster. Not good. Maintaining physical and mental activity is very important but overdoing it can produce a nasty result (at least it does for me). I had an exceptionally bad crash about 2 weeks ago and its been rough working my way back out of the hole (so to speak). It was that crash that got me to try the Thorne stuff.

Disclaimer - all dates and time references are subjective as time has become somewhat of a fuzzy concept for me. My CFS was triggered by cancer and chemo and may be different than what you experience.

 

[seamyb]

I was thinking of trying vitamin b12. After reading your post I am going to give it a try, I have also read that it helps your body to retain iron which is a problem for me as my iron levels seem to drop very quickly adding to my fatigue.

Do you have any sources for this, or anything to add? I'm looking at iron as a roadblock to my recovery, which has been going well apart from air hunger and fatigue (fatigue being used accurately here, not the crushing exhaustion of CFS).