Guest guest Posted February 5, 2001 Report Share Posted February 5, 2001 Dr Carolyn's computer is hospitalized, so she's not here to explain intrinsic factor, but she tried to make me understand it. It's like the other 7 elements that I am always on about. Lost with the function of the lower stomach. Unfortunately, that is the point of mfr for intrinsic factor. And here's where I am out of my depth, but one of these RN's will jump in....... B12 needs to " " bind " to intrinsic factor to be absorbed. No intrinsic, and you can eat B12 all day, and it just follows the food right on out the door. I am SO glad you stood your ground on that shot. Some people swear it turbo charged 'em the day they get it. Thanks, www.vitalady.com https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com B12 > I'm about 13 months post-op, and my one-year labs showed my B12 level to be > 179. The surgeon just sent a form letter advising me to take 250mcg a day! > That's only half of a sub-lingual! I went to my PCP today for an unrelated > matter, and asked for and received a shot.(Thanks for the encouragement, > vitalady!) He agrees that I won't get B12 well orally, even with > sub-linguals. He said it needs intrinsic factor, which I don't have any > more. Any comments? Judy in WI > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2001 Report Share Posted February 22, 2001 Good morning Diane and group-I have started B12 injections and let me tell you-I felt an immediate difference-within a few hours. I had been really really tired, my vision was becoming distorted, more clumsy than usual, had a hard time remembering little things and just an over all feeling that something was wrong. I always do about 130 grams of ProScore 100 and take all my supplements. My thyroid died so I take synthroid and I am post-menopausal, so I figured either my synthroid was off or my hormone replacement therapy was off-so after doing labs and finding out that all was normal, I figured maybe it was just a side effect of this surgery. However, my vision kept getting worse and the tiredness was getting out of control. I went to my eye doctor for my annual check up and thought I had early stage tumor so he sent me to a specialist-the first thing the specialist asked me was how my B12 was doing. He ran some tests and found that there was fluid built up on my ocular nerve and a leak. Thankfully this usually will fix itself-I was told to reduce my caffeine and stress. When I got home I checked my B12 numbers and found that it was 215 and had been steadily going down for several years-I am 7 1/2 years post op-a very drastic distal. I immediately made an appointment with my surgeon. He explained that the B12 level was within normal range, although low-however, just because it is within normal range does not mean it is enough for everyone-most people need their levels to be at least 400 or higher-recent studies have show this. I questioned my doc as to why he had not told me this before and he said because I had told him about some of my symptoms he figured I was alright. So now I do weekly injections. I may have to do the injections the rest of my life. I checked the web on B12 deficiency and it really can be very dangerous and possible life threatening-the levels tend to drop slowly and I think you just get used to not feeling good and simply don't realize what is going on. So folks we really do have to be proactive in our after care and regardless how far post op we are, we still need to do our labs on a regular basis and keep on any eye on our results-don't trust your doctor to catch everything. That is why this group is so great and the net is a wonderful resource for information. So stay proactive and fight for your health-if you feel something is off-it is! Also, Vitalady and Dr. Carolyn are wonderful sources of information! Good luck and get those injections-I love the way I feel! Regards, EJ Reece pre op 270 BMI 41 24/26 post op 7 1/2 years 135 BMI 20 6/8 B12 Could someone please help me out here, what are the sign and symptoms of low B12? Thanks, Diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2001 Report Share Posted February 22, 2001 I am getting weekly injections-not sure how much but so far I have had 2 injections and do feel better, however, I find that I am ready for another shot in about 3-4 days-hopefully when I get the B12 built up the feeling will last for a week. Regards, EJ Re: B12 Man, this is really scary! My level got down to 65 and I felt like walking death. Took my first injection on Feb 1, felt marginally better so instead of doing it once a month like my PCP instructed I gave myself another shot on the 14th and feel a little better but since it got soooooooo low I'm wondering if I shouldn't be doing this weekly for a while. I'm supposed to take 2ml 1Xmonth. What is the dosage of your weekly shot? Anyone with any input on this, especially those of you doing your own injections? Thanks, e VBG 9/30/97 RNY 5/22/00 270/160/150 (maybe or maybe 155 or maybe I'm done) Elanne wrote: Good morning Diane and group-I have started B12 injections and let me tell you-I felt an immediate difference-within a few hours. I had been really really tired, my vision was becoming distorted, more clumsy than usual, had a hard time remembering little things and just an over all feeling that something was wrong. I always do about 130 grams of ProScore 100 and take all my supplements. My thyroid died so I take synthroid and I am post-menopausal, so I figured either my synthroid was off or my hormone replacement therapy was off-so after doing labs and finding out that all was normal, I figured maybe it was just a side effect of this surgery. However, my vision kept getting worse and the tiredness was getting out of control. I went to my eye doctor for my annual check up and thought I had early stage tumor so he sent me to a specialist-the first thing the specialist asked me was how my B12 was doing. He ran some tests and found that there was fluid built up on my ocular nerve and a leak. Thankfully this usually will fix itself-I was told to reduce my caffeine and stress. When I got home I checked my B12 numbers and found that it was 215 and had been steadily going down for several years-I am 7 1/2 years post op-a very drastic distal. I immediately made an appointment with my surgeon. He explained that the B12 level was within normal range, although low-however, just because it is within normal range does not mean it is enough for everyone-most people need their levels to be at least 400 or higher-recent studies have show this. I questioned my doc as to why he had not told me this before and he said because I had told him about some of my symptoms he figured I was alright. So now I do weekly injections. I may have to do the injections the rest of my life. I checked the web on B12 deficiency and it really can be very dangerous and possible life threatening-the levels tend to drop slowly and I think you just get used to not feeling good and simply don't realize what is going on. So folks we really do have to be proactive in our after care and regardless how far post op we are, we still need to do our labs on a regular basis and keep on any eye on our results-don't trust your doctor to catch everything. That is why this group is so great and the net is a wonderful resource for information. So stay proactive and fight for your health-if you feel something is off-it is! Also, Vitalady and Dr. Carolyn are wonderful sources of information! Good luck and get those injections-I love the way I feel! Regards, EJ Reece pre op 270 BMI 41 24/26 post op 7 1/2 years 135 BMI 20 6/8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2001 Report Share Posted February 23, 2001 How often do you get your B12 levels checked? Weekly sounds like a LOT to me. I am going nuts trying to get to the docs for my shots. This will NOT do. They're nice, they're friendly, but I just have to sit til they take me and I'm way too busy. I am GOING to learn how to do this. I hear that about a 3 month supply is under $10, even w/o insurance! So, we'll both save money! Of course, we have to buy the needles, but again, not bad and far more convenient. BUT you still gotta get your levels checked so you don't go toxic in it, either. Thanks, www.vitalady.com https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com RE: Re: B12 > I get my B12 shot from a diet clinic and not a > regular doctor. There is a docotor in this > clinic, but he is there to push Phentermine and > Meredia. > > Anyway, I pay $8 per week. I get weighted, my > blood pressure checked and the shot. I really > wish I could give them to myself. I need to talk > to my doctor about this. Is it difficult to do? > Do you have to take a class or something? My > levels have always been normal because I'm always > taking the shot. For a long time I took 2 > sublingual Trader Joe's B12 shots. > > My mother had her surgery 15 years ago and now > she's anemic. I wish she would consider it. > She's always sick. But then she's always > throwing up too. She's not bulimic, she just > constantly overeats. I haven't thrown up from > overeating since 4 weeks after surgery (May 1999) > > Thanks, > > > Lap RNY, Start 374, Today 225. > 24yo, 5'9 " > Las Vegas, Nevada > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2001 Report Share Posted February 24, 2001 Actually, depending on the dosage you are receiving, a 2 year supply is only about $10. It comes in a multidose bottle that you withdraw your actual dose from. I wish I lived closer and I would be glad to either give the shots to you or teach you how to give them to yourself. It is not hard to learn. Michele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2001 Report Share Posted February 24, 2001 Cool. My doc's nurse says it has to be IM. Other say no, SubCu is OK. Well, what is it? Will a thigh do? Thanks, www.vitalady.com https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com RE: RE: Re: B12 > Actually, depending on the dosage you are receiving, a 2 year supply is only > about $10. It comes in a multidose bottle that you withdraw your actual dose > from. > > I wish I lived closer and I would be glad to either give the shots to you or > teach you how to give them to yourself. It is not hard to learn. > Michele > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2001 Report Share Posted February 25, 2001 , My surgeon from Mayo told me that " officially' B 12 needs to be given intra-muscular but that studies that they have done at Mayo have shown them that doing the shot in the fat like you do with insulin gives you about 80% of the B 12 you would get with the muscle version. I just do mine about every three weeks instead of once a month. It is easier with the insulin needle. My surgeon explained that B 12 takes years to get low on and that your levels can not be brought up quickly. This is why he explains that you must not chance it and must do the shot once a month. In fact most of his patients that have trouble have been lacking in B 12 or other vitamins because they have chosen to ignore his directions. This topic is always confusing and always with conflicting advice from doctors. I wish they could get together on this..... Jan C. 3-11-98 RNY RE: RE: Re: B12 >B-12 needs to be given IM. The thigh works just fine. You do need to rotate >sides though, so I recommend giving it first in the left thigh and then >rotating to the right thigh (or vise versa.) > >The area that it is ok to give the shot and avoid any nerves that can cause >damage is the area in the center of the muscle of the thigh. To find this >area, use your flat palm, with your thumb extended outward. Place one palm >at the top of your knee and one palm at the bend of your leg. The area >between your thumbs is the area that is safe to give the shot. > >For people who are having to take the shots weekly, I would recommend >alternating giving the shots, one in each of the thighs yourself and then >going to someone else to give the shot in your hip where you can't reach. >That allows at least 4 weeks before returning to the original shot area. >Does that make sense? > Hope this helps. > Michele > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2001 Report Share Posted February 25, 2001 I'm an apple, all right, SKINNY legs. OK, thigh's are good. Michele, RN was teaching me where. So, I need to gather my guts ( in NB is helping with that) paint the target and get the stuff. I'll need to hear Jan cheering in the background, too, I think! Thanks, www.vitalady.com https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com Re: RE: Re: B12 > In a message dated 02/24/2001 3:52:36 PM Pacific Standard Time, > vitalady@... writes: > > > Cool. My doc's nurse says it has to be IM. Other say no, SubCu is OK. > Well, > > what is it? Will a thigh do? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > Depends on how lean the thigh is! It will work for us apples . . .at the > waistline or amrs for pears. > ) Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2001 Report Share Posted March 22, 2001 I never got depleted, just kinda saggy. My docs were still arguing not to give me shots, when I had to stand my ground. But maybe that's why it didn't supercharge me, huh? Cuz I wasn't down yet? Thanks, www.vitalady.com https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com Low White Cell Count > > > > > >> > >> Well, I had my follow up visit with the hemotogist and it is my B12. It > is > >> low at 197 so I have 10 days of B12 injections and then once a month > >> thereafter. Who knew that one of my old methods of losing weight would > be > >> of help now. Remember the old injections of something having to do with > >> pregnant woman's urine? I did that once in one of my many attemps to lose > >> weight and learned how to give myself an injection, now it is coming in > >> handy. > >> > >> No wonder, I was getting tired and my old " new found energy " from the > >> surgery was leaving me. I felt like I did befor WLS and was actually > >> watching TV again during the day!! The doc says I will be like a new > woman > >> in a few days. Now he said that I just can't absorb the B12 sublingual > as a > >> protein enzyme the stomach produces is needed to attach itself to to be > >> absorbed and my new stomach dosen't produce it. So it is injections once > a > >> month from here on out. The prescription I got has these tiny little > bottles > >> with one dose. > >> > >> Hopefully my new energy will help me also get off this plateau of the > last 6 > >> weeks. I am at 225 and want to get below 200. > >> > >> Aloha, Carolyn > >> > >> _________________________________________________________________ > >> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2001 Report Share Posted March 22, 2001 Interesting...mine was " borderline " back in September when they yanked my gallbladder. I had the shot right before I was released...and I could feel the difference...made the whole post-op thing a breeze. I didn't have the fatigue and mental fog that I had with other surgeries. Perhaps it depends how far below normal you are? In any case, I highly recommend the shots, even though I am doing sublingual at the moment to see if that will keep it up. Kim in Hotlanta Low White Cell Count > > > > > >> > >> Well, I had my follow up visit with the hemotogist and it is my B12. It > is > >> low at 197 so I have 10 days of B12 injections and then once a month > >> thereafter. Who knew that one of my old methods of losing weight would > be > >> of help now. Remember the old injections of something having to do with > >> pregnant woman's urine? I did that once in one of my many attemps to lose > >> weight and learned how to give myself an injection, now it is coming in > >> handy. > >> > >> No wonder, I was getting tired and my old " new found energy " from the > >> surgery was leaving me. I felt like I did befor WLS and was actually > >> watching TV again during the day!! The doc says I will be like a new > woman > >> in a few days. Now he said that I just can't absorb the B12 sublingual > as a > >> protein enzyme the stomach produces is needed to attach itself to to be > >> absorbed and my new stomach dosen't produce it. So it is injections once > a > >> month from here on out. The prescription I got has these tiny little > bottles > >> with one dose. > >> > >> Hopefully my new energy will help me also get off this plateau of the > last 6 > >> weeks. I am at 225 and want to get below 200. > >> > >> Aloha, Carolyn > >> > >> _________________________________________________________________ > >> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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