B12 defficiency and its effect on your life - Neuropathy Message Board

dorvad · 10-25-2006, 04:31 AM

Although I live in Australia, I was born and brought up in Scotland.

I was diagnosed with Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord when admitted to hospital in Oct 2004, this was caused by a severe B12 defficiency that was not picked up for about 10 yrs, cause unknown after a miriad of tests.

I was then put on Monthly injections , this was then changed to fortnightly injections after consultation with my neurologist

I believe that as this condition progresses you can suffer from Spastic Paraplegia as I now am.

Questions

Do any of you have the following symptoms.

Getting int the car, Bottom on seat 1 leg in and 1 outside that just wont move for a period of time.

When you lie down at night time do you lose the ability to move your legs for a period of time

Do you have instances when even when you are out walking you stop and then cant move your legs for a period of time

Sitting down for say about 1/2 an hour and then when you try to get up your legs wont support you, infact at times I need 2 people to support me to get up.

My Neurologist says that there is nothing else he can do to assist me, please if in doubt about your B12 levels shout and shout loud untill some one pays attention.

thylantyr · 10-26-2006, 11:59 AM

B12 defficiency and its effect on your life

My friend has vascular problems, diabetes, neuropathy pain, etc., and the
doctors noted a B12 deficiency telling the patient to boost
those levels up otherwise injections. The doctor didn't offer
any advice on how to boost B12 so I had to investigate
this using the internet. B-12 methylcobalamin 20mg - 40mg sublingual
daily for a few months boosted the B12 score from < 200 to > 1000 and the doctor was pleased
saying that 'continue doing what you do'. I noticed my friends mood was lifted a few weeks after starting B12 pills,
that alone was worth it. From gumpy/irritable to normal attitude again. I haven't noticed anything else from B12
intake, no pain reduction, no neuropathy reversal. You probably need more than just one pill to treat that problem.
It appears that 'B12 methlycobalmin sublingual' is an attractive solution to boosting B12 levels without taking injections.
I'd try this first if you hate needles.

bluewolf · 11-16-2006, 05:50 PM

I have had good luck using the methyl form of B12. Although blood tests showed no deficiency of B12 my doctor put me on a supplement called Metanex. It helped with my pain level a lot although by no means did it completely control my pain. I still have to take 20 mg time released oxycodone 2 x a day along with lyrica and tramadol. I have found sublingual forms of methyl B12 purchased online or at the health food store work just as well for me and are cheaper. Just to see if it made a difference I went off the B12 supplement and my pain level was much worse again after only 3 days of being off the supplement. When I went back on the supplement the pain was reduced again. It also helped my energy quite a bit.

PeggyMc904 · 11-17-2006, 11:05 AM

I have had problems with my legs for several years. Reading these posts made me remember things. I would be walking and all of a sudden, my legs felt heavy and I had to stop for a few moments, then go on. For the past 2 years, I have had severe weakness in
my legs. I have fallen many times and now use a cane. Seems that my condition is getting worse. The Dr's. I have seen are baffled, since it is not painful, but weakness that is happening. I am very frantic, that I will be completely crippled before they ever find out what is causing all this. Also, my arms and hands are weak, predominantely my Right Side with arms and legs. Does anyone else have symptoms like mine?
Thanks for reading.

dolorcito · 11-19-2006, 07:28 PM

i was with my friend playing around and he flicked the back of my head i guess kinda hard ...and i swear from then on i began getting constant headaches, my right foot and arm felt numb tingling sensations and one day in class my right leg/foot started to feel really numb i went to 2 doctors and they laughed at me saying a flick cant do that but i dont understand what else could have happened???? im really worried if you have any advice or suggestions please write back...