No Energy! B-12?

Anyone taking B-12 in addition to their Optisource vitamins? Does it help any? I am so tired and sleepy lately and I need some energy. I know it has alot to do with my boring job , but I am ready to resort to the *forbidden* caffeine. (Probably not a good idea for me since I BARELY get in all my fluids.) I'm just dragging and I'm desperate. Kathy

I haven't taken B-12, so I can't give any experience, but I will give a gentle nudge.... not getting enough fluids will sap your energy, also! Hugs! Lisa

I know, I know... I've been trying really hard and I've gotten better, but there is still room for improvement. I eat well and get at least 80 grams of protien from food alone. I'm trying to increase that too because of the hairloss and energy. Just gotta find a supplement I can tolerate. Even the Hanks finest protien didn't work for me. Kathy

I take a B-12 injection once a month and have ever since surgery almost 4 years ago. I find that this does help with energy. The last few days before time for the next injection really wears on me. It is that time now!!

Oh, PLEASE don't feel bad! I know how hard it it to get the water in -- I'm finally getting it down now, and it's taken having a bottle of water beside me and sipping every time I pause doing anything. It's a MAJOR pain to find a protein supplement you can tolerate! Remember though that you don't have to drink them straight. I put mine in coffee every morning; a friend mixes hers up in a blender with ice and all sorts of sugar free syrups, flavorings, and fruit. In Susan Maria's (of bariatriceating.com) book Before and After she has a number of recipes for protein concoctions that sound really good. You could make smoothies of various sorts with unflavored protein powder, with whatever you like. Good luck! Lisa

Kathy...no medical advice here just what I take....I take B-complex, B-12, Biotin, Multi vit for older women , vit C and I drink three 6oz choc Isopure shakes for total of 75 grams of protein. And then I add more with food. I also carry water everywhere. I don't get tired as much as I get sleepy from being up since 5am and very busy w/part time job and homeschooling. Hope that helps. In Him, Joan M

Kathy, My surgeon recommended us to take B-12 pills in addition to multi-vitamins.. After my 4 mths eval of bloodwork, although i was taking the pill, my b12 was just getting lower and lower ( i was not absorbing it) so as of May 06, I've been getting a shot once a month, and in sept they will do my bloodwork again to see if there has been any progress and improvements and evaluate how often i may need it...

I had severe exhaustion issues for 9 months post-op. I was so tired of feeling tired that I was ready to scream. I mega-dosed on SUBLINGUAL B-12 (5,000 mcg = 2,500 mcg twice a day) just to be able to drag myself out of bed to the couch. My girlfriend, Ms Cheryl, had to change to the monthly B-12 shots. My energy level improved when I started Optisource & then improved even more when I went on Vista Vitamins with chelated minerals. Just lately after adjusting to HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for menopause symptoms, my energy level has soared. I actually feel like I'm finally getting into the "normal" range but it took time, much more time than I expected. I say all this to say that first off, we really don't realize what an extreme stress our body is under just from the surgery, eating & digestive changes we are experiencing. Even the fast weight loss will contribute to the exhaustion issues. Especially if we had LAP surgery, our minds tend to think it was a walk in the park. But, it may take a while, a LONG while to regain your energy. Medications & their side effects have a lot to do with the exhaustion issue as well. From what I've heard on the boards, we just have to stick in there & adjust as we go ... increase protein, keep your fluids up, exercise moderately, vitamins, minerals & Sublingual B-12 or shots ... until our bodies finally recoup from the assult we have it under. Using caffiene will be counter-productive. Even though you will get a quick burst, caffiene can negatively effect your blood glucose, heart rate, etc. Try to stick it out ... keep your chin up, Ms Kathy! IT REALLY DOES GET BETTER!!!! God Bless You ... Dawn & Nick