Vitamin B injections vs sublingual

Does anyone supplement their Vit. B either vía injection or sublingually? I've been giving myself shots once a month because my Dr's thought is that I would absorb that better than trying to digest it. But I heard another patient say they felt better doing the sublingual form. 

I've done both and honestly I think they both work. I kind of prefer the oral method though because it's a consistent dose daily versus a spike every week or two. 

Hi crappy,

  I do Vitamin B (complex) sublingually. Works great!  I'm missing the bowel sections that normally absorb Vitamin B, so I need to supplement.  I get my micronutrients checked twice a year to make sure all my supps are working, and so far so good.  Here's what I use, it's just a couple bucks at Walmart......but there's lots of other choices as well.  

;O)

Bob,

I'm pretty sure you just like responding to my posts so you can call me crappy ;)

Had you tried injections previously? What type of Dr checks your micronutrients?

I'm having biopsies in a couple weeks to check for malabsorption issues.   

Do you take a liquid or dissolvable sublingual?

And unrelated, is your dog a shepherd mix?

Not really answering your question but I took pills for awhile to get my B up. 

I had low B12 and used to get monthly injections for maybe 6 months, now I just stick a small tablet under my tongue daily, too easy .. also take a B group vitamin daily, when I remember ... 

Hi crappy,

  No, I'm just lazy when it comes to typing names.  Never had to try the injections because my Dietician had me try the sublingual supplements first, and it worked.  I also take D3 sublingually, and that increased my bone density back to normal levels as well.  I had both my Gastro and my Primary Care order micronutrient labs, based on input from my IBD Dietician.  

  Biopsies? Not sure I'm following you.  Normally they just check the micronutrient levels via bloodwork, as well as the normal bloodwork for albumin, cholesterol, etc, and order a fecal fat test to determine malabsorption.  I'm guessing your Gastro suspects an issue with the lining of your small intestine and has ordered an endoscopy to get samples to biopsy?

;O)

You have quite a bit of colon left right?

Bob,

I checked and just so you know Jodie is one letter less than crappy ;)

I don't know why exactly he's going the biopsy route? I've been having some pain as well so that may be part of it.  My reversal was just back in November so if I turn/lean  the wrong it will pull on the wound site.  So some muscles may still just be healing.  My eating hasn't been great as in I don't eat enough/developed an aversion to foods. They've been using the term gastroparesis more which I'm not thrilled about.  I was transferred from motility GI to general GI after I had my colon removed, so this Dr is new to me and sometimes I think they just want to see what things look like for themselves.  Pending these tests, then a smart pill, he'll decide if I need to be back with motility GI. Is that making anymore sense?

The fecal test you mentiioned....do they do a stool sample for it? Just curious

Does the B liquid have much taste? I'm a great puker if my brain doesn't like it.

Yep, pretty much all of it. 

When I first had my proctocolectomy, I was required to take B12 shots. My gastroenterologist at the time said that the parts of my colon that  absorbs B12 and other nutrients are gone so the B12 intramuscular injections will keep me from getting pernicious anemia. I don't know when it happened but somewhere along the way, my remaining small bowel adjusted and began absorbing B12 and I was no longer required to take B12. 
Over the years I get a CBC, Chemistry Panel, and Folate to check for malabsorption and organ function. There were times when my Blevels would be low again and I was given sublingual prescription. If my levels didn't improve then back to shots. So it depends on how well your remaining bowels are absorbing the Bs.

Ok 'Jodie' it is..........but nicknames are supposedly a term of endearment, or something like that!  It's woman-speak, so I don't fully understand it..........of course.  

No, you won't taste the B12 because it never hits your taste buds.......cuz you put it just behind your bottom front teeth so it sits under your tongue, and you won't taste it unless you can't wait the few seconds for it to be absorbed and you swish around.  Then it tastes like......umm.......hold on.

Ok, just tasted it.  It disappears so fast it's hard to say, but it's a mild tart and sweet taste.  Not medicinal, more like food, but I can't put my finger on anything similar.  It really does disappear in just a few seconds though.  

An aversion to food?  Not good.......you need to fix that girl.    ;O)

Gastroparesis?  Also not good.  But should be easy to figure out if it's really happening or not.  I don't think a biopsy tells them anything related to this.......but maybe things have changed.  I would think they'd do an endoscopy first, just to check around, then do a gastric emptying scan.......which is you basically when eat some isotope laden food and they time how long it takes to leave your tum-tum with an x-ray scan. If that turns out to take too long they can do a manometry test where they check your stomach contractions to make sure they're normal and not too weak.  And if you're a puker..........they got another test for that involving electrodes and such......but let's not go there! 

Anyway, still not sure what the biopsy will tell them......maybe they expect to see something during the endoscopy.  The fecal test I was talking about is more for digestion.........which isn't your problem it sounds.  So skip that. 

Sounds like you're in a pretty 'crappy' situation, pun intended of course, but hopefully they'll figure it out........and it won't be gastroparesis.  I think you'll find the sublingual B12 perfect for your situation, so give it a whirl.  You can find it at Walmart for $4 or so. 

Keep us up on how things go!

;O) 

I use drops under my tongue and my b12 has continued to be in range.  Before I started these I was having monthly shots. 

Do you personally prefer the drops? I don't mind giving myself the shots but like someone else said if you are doing sublingual it might be more consistent than getting the burst of energy once a month. 

Are you referring to Vitamin B-12? Or B-Complex? My reply in in regards to B-12. I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia when I was 18. My doctor gave me a B-12 injection and that's when I started supplementing with it.
After many years and many different forms of Vitamin B-12, I now take Methylcobalamin in a spray form. If I can't find the spray, I get the sublingual B-12 in drops or tablets. Sublingual is the best form of B-12. 

Makes sense. I feel like I/medical team hasn't quite a rhythm for me yet. Still trying to figure out how things are working and healing and what's being absorbed and not. I've been told I'm a complex patient 😝

Thanks for doing a taste test for me 😁

and how you out ‘Jodie' in whatever those marks mean. 

I've had a couple gastric emptying tests but it's been a while I think the last was 2012. The test in Chicago eating radioactive cornflakes said yes I had gastroparesis but then CLeveland Clinic's longer test said no at the time. But last year I had a different type of test done where they had electrodes monitoring my stomach and I couldn't move and had to sit in a dark room for about an hr in a recliner. Half way thru I had to drink water and even that didn't stimulate whatever it was called cells of Cajal or something. But they hope taking the colon out the stomach would kick back into gear. The regular GI hasn't given up on me yet and sent me back to motility. We'll see if he learns anything new next week 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hi Ozzie,

  That Spring Valley sublingual also comes in a straight B12 as well.  I believe it's 4 or 5 times the dosage of B12 in the Complex.  Just FYI.

;O)