Vitamin B12?

cindycflynn
cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I've been reading a lot on these boards about those going through radiation experiencing fatigue.

I just spoke to a friend who is a long-time BC survivor and went through radiation years ago. She said that she was given vitamin B12 shots at the time of her treatment, and they gave her so much energy, she never experienced that fatigue.

Has anyone else experienced that or had any discussion with their doctor about it? I plan to ask my oncologist about it, but wanted to see if anyone had any more direct experience.

Thanks,
Cindy

Comments

  • stevie178
    stevie178 Member Posts: 31
    #2
    B12
    Cindy , this was also a concern for myself since I do not know what my wife can or can not take while undergoing chemo. I do not think IMO that these will effect the chemo but I'm no doc so my concern is that it could have more adverse effects and work against her as far as how she feels,fatigue,nausea,and so on . I did find this article in regards to this question and feel that it might help so here is the link below.

    http://www.mcvitamins.com/Chemotherapy-neuropathy.htm

    If there are ever and questions from anyone please feel free to give me a shout since I don't watch a lot of television I really like doing the research.The link to the above article really goes into some great information and you do not need a medical degree to understand it.

    Best Wishes & Chin up

    Steve & Teresa
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #3
    While going thru radiation,
    While going thru radiation, you are not supposed to have any vitamins. The reasoning is that you don't want to feed your cells and make them healthy, as, they could be cancerous cells. You want them weak so that the rads will kill them. I know my Grandmother used to get Vit. B 12 shots, but, I don't know if they helped her much.

    Sue :)
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #4
    stevie178 said:

    B12
    Cindy , this was also a concern for myself since I do not know what my wife can or can not take while undergoing chemo. I do not think IMO that these will effect the chemo but I'm no doc so my concern is that it could have more adverse effects and work against her as far as how she feels,fatigue,nausea,and so on . I did find this article in regards to this question and feel that it might help so here is the link below.

    http://www.mcvitamins.com/Chemotherapy-neuropathy.htm

    If there are ever and questions from anyone please feel free to give me a shout since I don't watch a lot of television I really like doing the research.The link to the above article really goes into some great information and you do not need a medical degree to understand it.

    Best Wishes & Chin up

    Steve & Teresa

    Thanks Steve!
    I did check out the link you sent, and found it interesting, although I'm always a little leery of .com sites since they're primarily there to sell their product. I'm going to print out the page and take it to my oncologist to discuss.

    I also found something on the breastcancer.org website that indicated that those undergoing raditation should not take antioxidant vitamins such as A, C, D, & E, but they didn't mention B vitamins.

    I'm definitely going to discuss this further with my oncologist.

    Thanks again!
  • always
    always Member Posts: 256
    #5
    I am on B12
    I don't know about Rads. Just had my first chemo...rads later. I did get a B12 shot today. I have been on B12 for 3 years to boost a liver problem. They stopped them for last few months until the onc okd this. I know that they give me a tremendous energy boost which is good because this first treatment has left me strangely drained. I hope you get an answer on the B12 during radiation. But I suggest since noone ever says don't eat well. That you do a search on foods high in b12 or how you can boost your energy that way. My thoughts and good wishes are with you.
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    #6
    Hi Cindy
    Usually vitamin b12 injections are given for anemias and not necessarily given to increase your energy level though if youre anemic that will help your energy level. Lots of us get anemic while going thru chemo...not sure about radiation. Then again, lots of us are not anemic just tired and b12 wouldnt necessarily help us.

    Ask your doc...they know everything

    Hugs
    Lindat
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #7
    mlmjt1 said:

    Hi Cindy
    Usually vitamin b12 injections are given for anemias and not necessarily given to increase your energy level though if youre anemic that will help your energy level. Lots of us get anemic while going thru chemo...not sure about radiation. Then again, lots of us are not anemic just tired and b12 wouldnt necessarily help us.

    Ask your doc...they know everything

    Hugs
    Lindat

    Check with your oncologist
    Check with your oncologist and radiation oncologist about any vitamins. I couldn't take any during rads. I didn't have chemo, so, I don't know about that. Good luck!
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #8
    Ritzy said:

    While going thru radiation,
    While going thru radiation, you are not supposed to have any vitamins. The reasoning is that you don't want to feed your cells and make them healthy, as, they could be cancerous cells. You want them weak so that the rads will kill them. I know my Grandmother used to get Vit. B 12 shots, but, I don't know if they helped her much.

    Sue :)

    No vitamins
    I couldn't take any vitamins during rads. Like Sue said, you don't want your cells to be healthy or strong. Before you do anything, ask your rads oncologist. Don't ever do or take something because someone else said to or because you read it. Your rads oncologist will take good care of you. Good luck!

    Debby
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #9
    I've taken B Complex pills
    I've taken B Complex pills for years for energy/focus - and it helps me. (I've never had any anemia issues.)

    My chemo Dr and surgeon are fine with me taking my B complex. I have major issues with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and take Vit D for it all winter (it helps a lot along with my light box) which they have also cleared for me to use. I have had a meeting with rad. Dr. (though that won't start until after the next Chemo round), he said that under the cerrcomstance he'd be fine with the level of both I take. All have said no anti-oxidants though.

    Check with your Drs - they know you and your case/situtation.

    Susan
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #10
    survivorbc09 said:

    Check with your oncologist
    Check with your oncologist and radiation oncologist about any vitamins. I couldn't take any during rads. I didn't have chemo, so, I don't know about that. Good luck!

    Thanks to all
    Who have replied!

    I will definitely check with my oncologist before I make any decisions and will go with what she says. I'm just hoping to find a way to beat the fatigue before it even starts. I feel tired enough now just coming back to work this week after surgery.

    Best wishes to all!!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #11
    Rague said:

    I've taken B Complex pills
    I've taken B Complex pills for years for energy/focus - and it helps me. (I've never had any anemia issues.)

    My chemo Dr and surgeon are fine with me taking my B complex. I have major issues with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and take Vit D for it all winter (it helps a lot along with my light box) which they have also cleared for me to use. I have had a meeting with rad. Dr. (though that won't start until after the next Chemo round), he said that under the cerrcomstance he'd be fine with the level of both I take. All have said no anti-oxidants though.

    Check with your Drs - they know you and your case/situtation.

    Susan

    I don't have any idea about
    I don't have any idea about what to take or not take on chemo, as I didn't have it. But, my radiation oncologist said no vitamins while I was taking radiation. Like someone previously stated, you do not want your cells, good and the cancer cells, to be healthy and to get strong and move around. You want them as weak and frail as possible and then have the radiation kill them.

    Just ask your oncologist or rads oncologist.

    Hugs, Diane ♥

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