Post Tx B12 & Testosterone Monthly Injections -- WHY??

OK, Don, wondered how you were doing. Glad you dropped in.

Don have your blood tests shown a deficiency in B12 and testosterone, if not and you feel good my opinion would be you don't need this. I would check with your doctor though and discuss it with him, maybe you have a particular case in your situation where it is needed. But just to say outright you need it every month for the rest of your life is questionable to me. Just like thyroid or any other levels, we take the meds we need to maintain a certain level. I can go online and look at my blood tests and at each item, it shows your level, and beside it the recommended range it can be between showing low or high levels. So maybe you can too do you have access to your tests look for yourself. See where your levels are at.

Below is a link explaining the symptoms of low B12 in detail--see if you have any of those--

Also here is a link explaining testosterone levels--

I would like to say that In all my medical travails of 3 cancers and numerous treatments was it ever mentioned to me about any monthly injections of B12 and testosterone or anything at all for that matter, nor can I ever remember anyone on the forum here mentioning getting it done every month, nor have I ever known anyone getting it done every month. In my cancer journeys and reading, I think I have heard of people getting B12 and testosterone when needed but not constantly on a monthly schedule for the rest of their life. After my last episode when I was discharged from the rehab hospital to come home they said some of my vitamins were low and I was taking a supplement but once my levels came back up I finished the bottle and do not take any supplements.

Your case may be different or not I don't know and sometimes these cancer cases can make some odd leftover conditions and symptoms. So be sure and do your research and discuss it with your doctor. Look at your blood tests and levels that should tell you what you need to know, and if you feel good and have no problems, well then you decide yes or no on this.

Wishing You the Best

Take Care God Bless-Russ

Another perspective: No B-12 problem here - still take it - but topical testosterone daily. In my case, steroids have done the damage - and continue to. Testosterone, in particular, helps with bone growth and maintenance. I went straight from healthy bones to osteoporosis post-transplant, due to high dose steroids (95mg daily) to control Graft-versus-Host-disease. The steroids have tapered, but the damage remains.

Of course, one has no idea this is occurring unless you have monthly Dexa scans. As to B-12, you may have decreased production of the liver enzymes needed to properly metabolize B-12. Or, you may have a gastric condition which impedes the uptake of B-12. Possibly, B-12 is directed at a particular condition you have (or developed) as a result of the malignancy or treatment. Sadly, cancer treatment often has more identifiable side-effects that it does primary effects, which is the nature of beast. In exchange, we get to live - but not the same life! Life has forever been altered and the future may not be what we expect. What the future may be, is a more intense, a more deeply experienced act of living. However life turns out, it will remain worth living, because you still love and are loved in return. Love contains both sacrifice and suffering; the peaks and vsalleys of the human experiuence. I/ can only guess, but imagine that lifetime therapy is generally intended to maintain what you have or replace what your have lost - doctor will clarify your situation.

Having been in 14 years of constant treatment (3 cancers, 5th remission, transplant, anti-GvHD therapy), I find that the journeys to the treatment center have expanded my horizons. I look at them as an opportunity to speak with others, perhaps to share a laugh and even to comfort or counsel others on the journey. In 2008, I did not want to make the 80 mile round trip to the center. DW convinced me otherwise. I have now made that journey hundreds of times.

I remind myself regularly that one must be alive to have complaints.