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Vitimin B-12 shots

Hello, My name is Jenny,I have been diagnosed with Crohns Disease four years ago this is a VERY DIFFICULT DISEASE,I have to take Vitamin B-12 shots self injections,I was just wondering what is the best time of the day to take this shot?
Also I have tried very medication possible for this disease with no help,My Dr. wants to put me on Remicade,I am VERY SCARED to take this medication as I have a strong family history of blood disorders,and cancer of the blood ect.What do you recommend if I were your daughter?,Do you think that this is a death sentence for me to take the medication? I have 3 young children and a wonderful husband of 11 years.I worry that if I do take this medicine that I will not live to long.I am VERY SCARED,PLEASE HELP!!!! Thanks so much....
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Avatar universal
My father has Crohn's Disease - diagnosed about 7 years ago.  I work with disabled people and was told by one of our clients that had Crohn's that my father should try taking 3000 mg of fish oil every day.  After a lot of work on my part because my father is so stubborn I finally got him to try the fish oil.  All I can tell you is that he has less exacerbations and has been able to gain a little bit of weight which he was unable to do prior to the fish oil.  I suggest if you try it to get the caplet that are enteric coated or you will get that fishy taste.  I take fish oil just for good health - it is a good mind and body booster.

Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
333123 tn?1246285067
I have had three separate rounds of Remicade.  It did nothing for me.  What meds have you tried so far?  Have you changed your diet?  Crohn's is definitely not a death sentence, but you do have to manage it.  The B-12 shots can be taken at any time of the day, it's really more of a convenience thing for you.  I would recommend early morning after breakfast.  Sometimes, they can give you a bit of a "rush", so you may have trouble sleeping if you take them at night.  Remicade is about $3,000 a pop, and your insurance does not always pay.  I was given my first round of treatments before it was FDA approved for Crohn's.  I've been a guinnea pig on a lot of things.  The last time I started a round,I broke out in hives and did not continue the next two infusions.  What worries me is they don't know they long-term effects of that drug because it is new.  The more times you do it, the more likely you are to have a reaction.  My advice to you:  get a second opinion.  Two doctors may tell you two totally different things.  Also, eat the most bland diet you possibly can for about a month and see if you notice any changes.  NO DAIRY!  Give the medicines at least a month before you give up on them.  They take a while to get in to your system and actually cause a noticeable change.  If you are afraid, for any reason, to take the Remicade infusions, don't.  There are other options.  I began my Remicade treatments when I was 17 (now 29) and had the last one when I was 25.  I have other conditions that I could possible blame on Remicade, but since they don't really know all the true side effects, I can't balme them on that one drug.  Do your homework, and follow what your gut is telling you.
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Avatar universal
Hi there - sorry to hear you have been dx with Crohn's.  I was dx 37 yrs ago when I was 24 and am still here now, living an almost normal life.  I have B12 shots every month at my GP's surgery - the appt with the nurse is always around 9 am to 9.30 am.  As I am on self injected methotrexate I need monthly blood tests, so it is convenient to have the shot when the nurse does my bloods. I don't think it matters what time of day you have it.

This part of the forum is not answered by a doctor - it is a place for those with Crohn's, or suspected of it it, to share their experience and knowledge with others. You could post on the part where Dr.Pho answers, but it does cost - some $15 I think. He only takes 2-3 queries per day, so you may have to try a number of times to post.

As far as meds go, I think I have had them all, excluding Remicade, which my gastro will not prescribe as my Crohn's is not fistulising and this is one of the parameters our National Health Service in England requires to be present.  I have been on methotrexate for about 7 yrs now. I started on oral tablets, 25 mg once a week, but still had bad diarrhea so my gastro switched me to injections, 12.5 mg weekly, which I administer myself.  I am doing fine - in fact had no flares since starting mtx except for the 4 months I had to stop it in order to have FEC chemo for breast cancer 5 yrs ago.

There is no need to be scared - Crohn's is very controllable these days, if you get a good gastro and the right meds.

I would discuss your very valid concerns with your doctor and if you are not satisfied, perhaps you could get another opinion from a major academic medical centre? I personally would not take Remicade because of some possible very serious side effects. MTx also has serious side effects, particularly to the bone marrow and liver, but I am monitored monthly and am okay.

There are some new anti-TNF biologic meds around in the past year,besides Remicade, but I have not tried them as I am doing fine on mtx. You could possibly talk to your doctor about these. They are:

Adalimumab (humira)
Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)
Natalizumab (Tysabril)

Good luck.
Liz.
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