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If you take regular vitamin B12 shots, then you may notice side effect like dry, scaly skin patches, bruising, or pain caused by sharp needles. While B12 injections are prescribed by doctors for most cases of vitamin B12 deficiency, patients who choose to self-inject B12 should follow strict health guidelines in order to avoid uncomfortable side effects.
What are B12 shots?
Vitamin B12 injections are prescribed for people with severe vitamin B12 deficiency; they typically deliver about 1,000mcg of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in one dose.
Unlike other kinds of injections that are administered just below a patch of skin, B12 shots are intramuscular, and must be inserted into the thick, fleshy tissue of the thighs, buttocks, or abdomen areas.
Self-injecting vitamin B12 is a good option for people who are able to obtain the injections without a prescription, and find they need extra doses of vitamin B12 in order to feel more energetic, focused, and mentally balanced.
Still, to prevent skin inflammation, pain, bruising, or infection from vitamin B12 shots, it’s important to follow strict health standards, and follow the advice of a physician.
The following side effects are sometimes associated with routine injection of vitamin B12:
Itchy red skin patches
Raised skin patches
Hives
Welts
Red skin color
Nausea
Strong pain at site of injection
Swelling
Headache
Joint pain
Rare side effects that may occur after vitamin B12 injection include:
Dizziness
Confusion
Fatigue
Heart palpitations
Muscle pain
Leg cramps
Infection
Bleeding
Vitamin B12 shots alternatives
For a growing number of people, plummeting levels of vitamin B12 are a constant source of fatigue, memory loss, depression, and muscular pain, despite following a B12-rich diet.
To reverse symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, or pernicious anemia, it’s necessary to supplement with regimented doses of vitamin B12 until your levels return to normal.
Vitamin B12 injections are currently the most popular method for replenishing and maintaining vitamin B12, but as mentioned, skin patches, bleeding, and nerve pain are irritating side effects.
Still, more gentle forms of vitamin B12 are available, and are a good option for parents of children who need vitamin B12 supplements, or anybody who has difficulty receiving injections.
Good alternative sources of vitamin B12 are non-dietary vitamin B12 applications that don’t require swallowing.
Your turn!
Do you currently self-inject with vitamin B12 shots, or do receive prescription B12?
Have you also experienced the itchy red skin patches from vitamin B12 shots, or other side effects?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
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Vitamin B12 shots are one of several options for people suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency. Sometimes, people complain of side effects immediately after getting a B12 injection, such as dizziness and pain.
You can’t overdose on vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is one of those nutrients that are impossible to get too much of. Any excess amount of vitamin B12 that you take, whether it’s from a vitamin B12 shot or similar supplement, is excreted out of your body in your urine. There are currently no FDA regulations regarding maximum intakes of vitamin B12- any amount, even mega-doses are completely safe.
So, if you feel light-headed or nauseous after getting a B12 injection, rest assured that you haven’t OD’d on B12- it’s just not possible.
You can be sensitive to B12 shots, though
Still, some people may have an extreme reaction to injections, specifically. This may result from bruising on the injection site, blood clotting, skin infection, or a heart condition.
Because cobalamin must be injected into thick, muscular tissue in order to be effective, vitamin B12 shots are usually quite painful, during insertion and for several minutes afterwards.
Symptoms associated with vitamin B12 shots may include:
Fatigue
Dizziness
Heart palpitations
Nausea
Itchy skin rash, or hives
Swelling
Pain and bruising at the injection site
Scarring at the shot site
Infection
Tips for B12 shot users
If you’re currently administering your own vitamin B12 shots, then follow these basic guidelines:
Become familiar with which body parts are optimal for injecting vitamin B12. Choose well-developed muscles in the hips, thighs, or abdomen over weaker, less fleshy parts of the body.
Rotate injection sites whenever possible, in order to prevent nerve damage.
Avoid hitting a vein or artery. If you notice bleeding, pull out immediately.
Thankfully, there are several options available to people with vitamin B12 deficiency that prefer to avoid injections.
Sublingual vitamin B12 tablets are often effective, but need to be taken as instructed by the manufacturer. Allow the B12 tablet to dissolve under your tongue for ½ hour, for optimal digestion.
Avoid vitamin B12 pills, as most people diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency are unable to digest them efficiently.
Also, non-dietary vitamin B12 supplements provide a safe, gentle and digestible alternative to vitamin B12 shots, and are available over the counter.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Self-injecting vitamin B12 shots can be scary at times, and for good reason. Vitamin B12 shots are inserted intramuscularly, through the thickest, fleshiest and nerve-riddled parts of the body. If you’re considering self-administering vitamin B12 shots to treat pernicious anemia, then it’s important to speak with your doctor first, and learn some basic methods and precautions.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can leave you feeling fatigued, achy, and weak for weeks, or months, unless treated immediately. Self-injecting with vitamin B12 shots is a good way to take control of your own supplementation and ensure a speedy recovery, but there are drawbacks. Here are some helpful tips and safety measures you should consider before starting your own B12 shot regimen for the first time.
B12 shots- tips and warnings
1- Speak with your doctor about the advantages…and risks involved in self-injecting vitamin B12. Have a professional give you proper instruction on the best way of administering vitamin B12 shots without causing damage to the skin or nerves.
2- Once you have learned how to prepare and administer your own B12 injections, it’s still a good idea to have somebody else present when you give yourself a shot, just in case you have an ill reaction.
3- Once you have inserted the needle, if you notice any bleeding while drawing back the syringe, then withdraw right away, in order to avoid damaging a vein or artery. Start over afresh, with a new needle, dose of vitamin B12, and a different area of the body.
4- Before drawing liquid vitamin B12 with your syringe, check for any air bubbles that may be trapped in the bottle. Do not use if air bubbles are present.
5- Only inject the needle in areas of the body that are approved for vitamin B12 shot supplementation. These include muscular, fleshy tissue on the buttocks, upper arms, hips, and thighs. Inserting a needle in any other part of the body may cause bruising, bleeding, or damage to your nerves, bones, and veins.
8- Injecting vitamin B12 hurts, even when administered correctly. To prevent excesspain, control the syringe evenly and slowly; don’t apply too much pressure on the plunger to hurry the process.
9- When self-injecting vitamin B12 shots, target areas of the body that you can reach easily and comfortably.
10- It’s important to take age into account when considering where to inject vitamin B12 shots, as muscle tone can change with age.
11- Never rub the area after you take out the needle; you will cause bruising. Instead, hold gauze firmly and steadily over the area for a few seconds.
12- Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any severe pain, redness, pus, yellowish fluids, or other signs of infection resulting from vitamin B12 shots.
Alternatives to vitamin B12 shots
Injecting vitamin B12 shots is not for the faint of heart; alternatively, you may also use over-the-counter (OTC) forms of non-dietary vitamin B12 supplements that are just as digestible as vitamin B12 shots, and less invasive.
Sublingual vitamin B12 enters the blood stream without the need for needles, and is available without prescription. Methods for accessing sublingual vitamin B12 varies, from topical applications to oral drops.
Please tell us…
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Self-injecting vitamin B12 can be scary at times, and for good reason. Vitamin B12 shots are inserted intramuscularly, through the thickest, fleshiest and nerve-riddled parts of the body. If you’re considering self-administering vitamin B12 shots to treat pernicious anemia, then it’s important to speak with your doctor first, and learn some basic methods and precautions.
Vitamin B12 shots benefits
Vitamin B12 is found in all animal-based foods like beef, chicken, fish, and dairy products. Though most people (excepting vegans) eat plenty of B12-rich foods, many people are unable to digest vitamin B12 naturally from diet, and must insert vitamin B12 shots manually into the bloodstream through vitamin B12shots, in order to avoid the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency-pernicious anemia.
Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include sluggishness, memory loss, muscular pains and spasms, and frequent numbness in the extremities.
By self-injecting with vitamin B12 shots regularly, you avoid the risks of nerve damage, mental exhaustion, and increased danger for heart attack and stroke that often accompany vitamin B12 deficiency.
When self-injecting vitamin B12 shots, it’s important to make certain that the needle sinks deep into the muscle, and not just beneath the surface of the skin.
There are eight areas of the body that are safe targets for vitamin B12 shots. In order to avoid nerve damage, bruising, or loss of blood when self-injecting vitamin B12, it’s important to choose a part of the body that you are able to reach easily and comfortably.
Thighs- Aim the needle at the middle or outer portion of the thigh, on the upper leg area. Pinch the thigh tissue, and avoid inserting the needle too close to the knee or groin area.
Buttocks- This is a hard area to reach by yourself safely, so you may choose to have somebody else administer vitamin B12 shots in the buttock, in the upper outside area. Avoid the center of the buttock, in order to prevent sciatic nerve damage.
Hip muscle/ abdomen- If you choose to inject vitamin B12 shots into your hip or stomach muscle, avoid the area around your belly button. Also, if you have had a gastric bypass or caesarian delivery, then avoid irritating the scar tissue.
Upper arms- You may safely inject vitamin B12 shots into the fatty tissue behind your upper arms.
Please tell us…
Do you currently self-inject vitamin B12? Have you tried non-dietary over-the-counter supplements for vitamin B12 that also insert cobalamin into the bloodstream?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Brain health and vitamin B12 deficiency: Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining cognitive health and addressing mild memory problems related to aging. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common health problem for senior citizens who suffer the beginning stages of dementia.
Atrophy
Brain atrophy is what happens when brain tissue disintegrates. In the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of age-related dementia, a reduction in the brain’s gray matter correlates to symptoms such as memory loss, disorientation, paranoia, and uncharacteristically aggressivebehavior. In addition to losing brain volume, some elderly individuals also lose bone mass.
B12- the Brain Vitamin
In a recent study, elderly test participants who had vitamin B12 deficiency scored poorly on cognitive skills and memory testing, compared to their peers. In addition, MRIscans indicated that senior citizens with low B12 levels also had less brain mass than peers who had normal levels of vitamin B12.
Cognitive Decline
This is not the first time that researchers found a correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency and cognitive health. In 2008, Oxford University scientists discovered a link between elevated levels of homocysteine (an indicator of low vitamin B12 levels) and brain shrinkage. Homocysteine is an amino acid that increases your chances of developing heart disease and stroke.
Digestion
As you get older, your body slows down, and stops producing as many stomach acids. Unfortunately, your body still needs stomach acids in order to digest essential vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B12. People who lack sufficient stomach acids- the elderly, people on strong heartburn medications- lack the ability to digest vitamin B12 naturally, and must receive vitamin B12 supplements in order to prevent vitamin deficiency.
Elderly Care
In order to detect vitamin B12 deficiency, doctors recommend that elderly individuals receive regular blood testing for homocysteine levels and active vitamin B12, particularly if they exhibit any symptoms of cognitive decline, such as short-term memory loss. If diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency, then your doctor will prescribe vitamin B12 injections or sublingual vitaminB12.
For extra vitamin B12, or as an alternative to painful injections, a popular option is to supplement with over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12.
Trauma-Free vitamin B12 Shots for Kids: Whether your child needs vitamin B12 shots or a flu vaccine, shots can be scary and painful. Try these tips for taking some of the “ouch” out of getting shots.
Vaccines, B12 shots, and IV’s- oh, my!
Visits to the pediatrician can be tense, for both mom and child. The threat of yearly immunizations looms over their heads, child wondering if this would be the “year of the needle,” and mom worrying about how to get through the doctor’s appointment with as little tears as possible.
Besides getting the annual vaccine shots, other needle-centric events or conditions in your child’s life might be:
Let’s face it- your child will never enjoy getting shots. Most adults still sweat at the thought of receiving a sharp needle in the arm.
Still, you have some basic tools at your disposal will make the whole stressful episode run much more smoothly, and hopefully, alleviate some of the pre-doctor anxiety the next time around.
Here are some tips for soothing your child during shots, IV’s, and blood tests
Tip #1: Look! Up in the Sky…
For taking some of the pressure off the moment at hand, the first trick up your sleeve should be distraction, distraction, distraction. Use whatever tools you think will work; consider this your moment to shine and practice resourcefulness. Sing, dance, mime with a sock puppet, or whip out some favorite storybooks.
When it comes to helping your child through a round of injections, there can be no diversion too sneaky…or cheesy.
Tip #2: Pacify
Before leaving the house, make sure you pack your bag with some of your baby’s favorite toys, a pacifier (assuming he takes one), and a lovey, like a soft blanket or doll.
Another trick that’s worth trying at least once a year: soothe them with sweets, either by dipping her binky in a bit of sugar, or allowing her to take from the lollipop jar.
Tip #3: Put on your best poker face
What, me worry? That’s the attitude you want to convey to your child before and after the procedure. Kids are very good at picking up even the smallest hint of tension on your part, so act cool, paste on a smile, and prepare for whatever comes next.
Tip #4: Ahem, ahem.
Believe it or not, there’s some research indicating that coughing before and during vaccinations is an effective way to reduce the pain.
In 2010, the journal Pediatrics published a report that focused on children between the ages of four to twelve, finding that faking a cough before getting a shot, and then, again, during the round of shots, resulted in less trauma. Alternatively, your child could pretend to blow a feather across the examining table, or soda bubbles through a straw.
Tip #5: Ease the pain
After the nurse has administered all the shots, and the tears have (almost) dried, you still have a few options for relieving the pain.
Gently rub the pinprick spot to reduce swelling, and apply a topical anesthetic, such as EMLA cream.
A small amount of pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, will also go a long way towards pain management.
Tip #6: Seek alternatives
With medical technology practically bursting at the seams, it’s good to know that there are some new alternatives to painful injections.
Find out if your child is eligible to receive FluMist, an innovative flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray.
Which stars rely on vitamin B12 boost for energy? Celebrities like Madonna, Kate Perry and musical boy genius Justin Bieber get vitamin B12 injections regularly. Find out why.
Q: What are B12 shots, and what are their benefits, anyways?
A: Vitamin B12 shots are usually given to people with vitamin B12 deficiency , but stars are also finding that the benefits of vitamin B12 shots include:
Weight loss
Energy
Clear skin
Thick hair
Stress reduction
Not bad, for one water-soluble vitamin. B12 shots are painful, though, and you have to take them in the buttocks. (Ouch!)
Here are the top 10 most famous celebrities who rave about their vitamin B12 shots:
#1 & #2- Justin Biebertold Chelsea Handlerin an interview on her E! network show that he was feeling a little wiped out, but wasn’t looking forward to getting a B-12 shot, “in his butt.” The late night comedienne and former Playboy model is also a fan of B12 shots. She once even posted a pic on Twitter of herself getting a B12 shot in her bare behind.
Madonna carries B12 on the go
#3 & #4- Madonna got Justin Timberlake hooked on vitamin B12 injections. Timberlake, when he was asked to speak about Madonna’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, told the audience all about his first B12 experience: Madonna was visiting him in a recording studio, when she whipped a syringe out of her purse, told Justin to drop trou, and proceeded to give him a shot of B12 right on the spot! He’s been taking B12 for increased energy ever since. B12: Celebs Say it’s the New C
#6- Cher Lloyd has raised a lot of eyebrows on the UK show, The X Factor, for bullying the other reality show competitors and acting like a stressed out teenzilla. It’s no wonder that mentor Cheryl Cole advised her to go to a clinic for a vitamin B12 shot, which she explained would help her fight chronic fatigue, nervousness and low immunity. Along with giving Cher more energy, the vitamin B12 supplements have also helped her deal with her stage fright. Got PMS? Let B Vitamins Ease your Pain
#7-Pirates of the Caribbean star, Penelope Cruz, says, “I can’t live without my vitamin B.” She takes vitamin B supplements to help her stick to her diet, resist the urge for sweets and for well-being. It’s National Nutrition Month: Are You Eating Your 5 Colors a Day?
Johnny and Penelope at Pirates opening
#8- Lindsay Lohan- Like Cher Lloyd, Lindsay has also had her share of teen antics, including many all-night parties and club-hopping. To get her back into shape the morning after, Lindsay often demands a dose of B12 for energy, focus and mental balance. 7 Reasons You Have Brain Fog…And What to do About It
#10 Princedidn’t miss the bus on vitamin B12, either. The 58-year-old crooner, once voted “Sexiest Vegetarian” gets his vitamin B12 shots before every concert to give him the stamina he needs to strut his stuff on-stage. 6 Must-Eat Foods for Die-Hard Vegans
Read more about vitamin B12 deficiency and how to prevent it:
Hair loss got you down, as in down the drain? Women’s hair loss, male pattern baldness- it all amounts to the same impairment. But don’t throw in the bath towel just yet; here are a few treatments for hair loss that include changes you can make to your diet right now to put the breaks on that receding hairline and give you shinier, healthier hair.
Wholesome foods are just that- they benefit the body as a whole; what’s good for your digestive system is also good for your hair, skin and nails. Eating a variety of lean proteins, dairy, healthy oils, legumes and fruits and vegetables every day will ensure that your body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly inside and out.
Remember, fat is not a four-letter word. “Good” fats are anti-inflammatories which keep your hair shiny and lush. Avoid saturated hydrogenated oils like margarine and opt instead for unsaturated canola. Elect to make one day of the week as “fish dinner” night, as well as supplementing with a daily dose of omega 3 fatty acids for lustrous locks.
Beware of iron deficiency. Particularly, women approaching middle age are at risk of developing anemia, a symptom of which is hair loss. When taking an iron supplement or having an iron-rich meal such as fortified cereal or spinach quiche, remember to include a dose of vitamin c for maximum impact.
Many women who experience premature balding suffer vitamin b12 deficiency, a condition which often leads to pernicious anemia. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue, short-term memory loss, tingling in the extremities and nausea. Vitamin b12 deficiency is usually caused by a diet low in eggs, meat and poultry; standard vegan diets do not maintain a sufficient amount of vitamin b12 and are often a factor in vitamin b12 deficiency. A blood test by a physician is necessary to determine a deficiency in vitamin b12, in which a dose of 1000 mcg. of b12 is generally prescribed.
Another b vitamin, biotin, is also essential for a healthy head of hair; not only is biotin the key ingredient for development of hair follicles, it actually regulates all hair, nail and skin functioning. While biotin is found in some food products like egg yolks a 3 mg. supplement is required to get an adequate supply.
Choose silicone-enhanced shampoos and conditioners which coat the follicles with a silky surface for less tugging and strand pulling while combing.
Much has been said by sports enthusiasts and commentators over the controversy surrounding former Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro and his rejection by the 2011 National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Did he use steroids back in 2005? Drugs tests conclude that he did; whether unbeknownst to him or not is the hot topic of the day.
What about his claim that he unwittingly received B12 injections which were laced with the illegal performance enhancer stanozolol, as he has repeatedly affirmed? Well, he’s sticking to his story, even if the Baseball Writers Association of America (BWAA) doesn’t quite buy it.
Is it possible that his astonishing success these past years is due exclusively to his use of steroids? With 3,020 hits, 569 home runs and 1,835 RBIs, Palmeiro’s record puts him in the same league as baseball legends Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray.
Before we jump to any more conclusions, let’s not entirely rule out the b12 supplements, which we know he was getting on a regular basis.
B vitamins convert proteins and carbohydrates into energy for greater stamina during a workout.
B12 works with pyrodixine and folic acid to burn fat.
Athletes require more than the USRDA recommendation for B12 allowance.
Sports competitors who are on a restricted diet are strongly advised to take B12 supplements in order to avoid b12 deficiency, an illness which can lead to fatigue, depression, nausea and lethargy.
B12 boost red and white blood cell production, in addition to strengthening DNA.
So, let’s assign credit where credit’s due. Will b12 vitamins give you superhuman strength, the ability to leap home runs in a single bound? Probably not. Are ballplayers like Rafael Palmeiro wise to take advantage of b12 for greater athletic performance? Emphatically, you bet.
It’s been called the “morning after” shot. It’s used by celebrities to recuperate after an evening of partying and paparazzi. Politicians rely on this vitamin to keep them in their prime. What is this wonder drug, you ask? No, it’s not vitamin C.
Justin Timberlake and Madonna both say they get their stamina from regular doses of vitamin B12 every day, declaring that they couldn’t get through their chaotic schedule without it. Says an insider close to Justin, “the day Madge gave him his first shot was one of the best of his life.”
Party girl Lindsay Lohan calls up her doctor for a blast of B12 whenever she feels fatigued and wiped out from jet lag.
Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher confesses that she depended on regular vitamin B12 injections in order to keep up with the daily demands of government.
Hugh Jackman gets his hit of B12 twice a week; he says it keeps him on his toes while rehearsing his dance numbers for “The Boy from Oz.” Even Prince makes a point of getting his B12 before every concert.
Many Hollywood doctors claim they get dozens of requests each week for a quick B12 fix. Excessive drinking causes you to lose a lot of B12, they explain. Celebrities go to a lot of all-nighters, and that usually translates into a lot of liquor. In fact, alcoholism is a known cause of severe B12 deficiency.
Check out this video of Justin Bieber telling Chelsea Lately about his regular shots in the “butt.” Oh, if only he knew…
