have had this experience myself and yes the B-12 shots made a world of
difference, also in energy level and mood -  by all means give it a try

Leslie

Hi John!

About boosting the immune system; I avoid it personally.  There's
probably a happy medium, but I don't know what it is, so I don't do it.

Do you have autoimmune gastritis?  I'm confused as to why they say you
need the B12.  I think the name of what BJ has/gets is Pernicious
anemia.  It's caused by autoimmune gastritis & therefore, causes B12
deficiency.  Here's some info on it & on the left menu you can find
every AI disease in the book.  

http://www.celikey.net/templates/Page____2190.asp

Sharon has UCTD & from what I've read, the MCTD is sometimes referred to
as UCTD.  Have you seen her story?  It popped up in my search, so I'm
posting it for you:

http://qcpages.qc.edu/~sperlof1/

I think the neuro kinda went overboard with the B12 life sentence, or at
least I hope so.  That just sounds kinda drastic.  I'm sure you will
feel much better though & hopefully, you'll see enough improvement that
it'll be worth the inconvenience. <fingers crossed>  Let us know how it
goes, k?  

Maggie

As far as I know, B12 does not boost the immune system.

BJ has pernicious anemia. She gets B12 injections for life .
She started with one injection per week for 10 weeks, then gets an injection
monthly (and the monthly bloodwork rechecks that).

I was B12 deficient. I had the same regimen (one injection per week for 10
weeks), then a wait for a bit, then bloodwork recheck. AOK..so now I get a
recheck every 6 months or so. If I start going "low" again, will restart the 10
week regimen, then recheck.

The shots are subQ? or in the muscle of the shoulder or the hip/butt. Some
people (if money is an issue) can get 1000 units prescribed then give
themselves the shots. (100 units at a time).

More on PA and also B12 deficiency
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000574.htm (leads to other
links depending on the type of anemia)
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2001/07_01/dharmarajan.htm

Some people do need it for life or very serious symptoms can occur. Some people
cannot get enough via the gut so B12 vitamin pills do not "do it".
J

this is an interesting coinkydink. just this a.m. received an email from a
friend who is trying to figure out exactly what is causing her neuropathy
and she just mentioned that they are checking her b12 level again.  hmmm...

but, as J pointed out, B12 isn't going to boost the immune system.  It has a
more specific function than such vague "immune enhancers" such as echinacea
and so on.  And as I mentioned in my reply to Maggie's post - it is a
common, accepted treatement for neuropathy.

Hi John,
I am trying to catch up on posts. I have been away and am late in replying
to yours. I read through the responses and I have some things to say in
summary. You can be deficient in B12, just like you could be with other
vitamins. Getting injections will not boost your immune systhem. I have
pernicous anemia. I have the megaloblastic red cells, and the neuropathy
that can accompany that condition. My neuro signs were severe. I even had
jerky movements when trying to walk. The neuro problems can not be reversed,
if treatment is started too late. Peripheral nerves regenerate with
treatment. Spinal nerves do not. I get 1000 units a month, injected into  my
shoulder muscle. The shots are always given in the muscle. I got that dosage
every day for five days, once a week for a month, then every two weeks until
another month had passed. I will get the shots for the rest of my life. It
isn't a big deal at all. You will likely find it makes a big difference. It
may really help your neuropathy and your thought processes.
BJ-Sk. Canada