missy5
01-27-2009, 05:25 PM
Hello Everyone,
I've been feeling generally unwell for years now -- been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have been managing ok just have bouts of feeling really bad here and there.
During one of those 7 or 8 years ago, my B12 tested at 280 and my homocysteine was high. I took sublingual B12 for about six weeks, my doctor retested, I was up at 430 or so, and I forgot about it.
A few months ago I started going into another really bad spell -- off balance, digestive disturbances, sweaty hands and feet, frequent urination, agitation, buzzing feelings in my legs, weak legs, loss of appetite, tachycardia, couldn't sleep. I could go on. I felt like my nervous system had been revved up to the max. Anyway, I mentioned B12 to my doc, who declined to test. Instead, she did CBC, metabolic panel, thyroid workup, MRI, holter monitor. All normal. Was diagnosed with anxiety, which really sent me through the roof. Agonized over whether to take the anti-depressants prescribed (still haven't, actually). Meanwhile, started regimen of acupuncture, and vitamin supplementation including B12. So I took sublingual B12 for three to four weeks, then switched to a B-complex which I swallow, mostly for the inositol (B8) which I read could help with anxiety. Slowly feeling a little better, but still have some balance issues and feel generally like crap.
A couple of weeks ago the gastroenterologist I got sent to decided to check my B12 of his own accord. Today he called me to tell me it's normal. It's 379. I know that this is after five weeks of B12 supplementation. Could I possibly have had a B12 deficiency?
Meanwhile again, I finally convinced my doc to check my Vit. D thinking maybe it had something to do with my weak legs. Turns out I am deficient in that area, so for 2 weeks I have been taking 50,000 IU of D weekly. I only have two more pills, then I'm supposed to get retested.
Generally, I seem to have low everything, some of which is good (blood pressure and cholesterol, for instance). I haven't had my ferritin checked in awhile, but it has always been abysmally low -- like 10. One doc put me on iron for two months then retested, and it was up to 14. So I gave up the supplements since they weren't doing much, anyway. My hematocrit turns out normal, though.
I think I should probably not stop taking B12 again, as I seem to run low, but I'm very confused about it. Do I take it forever? Why can't I retain it when I eat meat and eggs, etc? What do I take? How much?
My doctor isn't really helpful with this so I'm trying to do my own research to figure it out.
Thanks,
Missy
I've been feeling generally unwell for years now -- been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have been managing ok just have bouts of feeling really bad here and there.
During one of those 7 or 8 years ago, my B12 tested at 280 and my homocysteine was high. I took sublingual B12 for about six weeks, my doctor retested, I was up at 430 or so, and I forgot about it.
A few months ago I started going into another really bad spell -- off balance, digestive disturbances, sweaty hands and feet, frequent urination, agitation, buzzing feelings in my legs, weak legs, loss of appetite, tachycardia, couldn't sleep. I could go on. I felt like my nervous system had been revved up to the max. Anyway, I mentioned B12 to my doc, who declined to test. Instead, she did CBC, metabolic panel, thyroid workup, MRI, holter monitor. All normal. Was diagnosed with anxiety, which really sent me through the roof. Agonized over whether to take the anti-depressants prescribed (still haven't, actually). Meanwhile, started regimen of acupuncture, and vitamin supplementation including B12. So I took sublingual B12 for three to four weeks, then switched to a B-complex which I swallow, mostly for the inositol (B8) which I read could help with anxiety. Slowly feeling a little better, but still have some balance issues and feel generally like crap.
A couple of weeks ago the gastroenterologist I got sent to decided to check my B12 of his own accord. Today he called me to tell me it's normal. It's 379. I know that this is after five weeks of B12 supplementation. Could I possibly have had a B12 deficiency?
Meanwhile again, I finally convinced my doc to check my Vit. D thinking maybe it had something to do with my weak legs. Turns out I am deficient in that area, so for 2 weeks I have been taking 50,000 IU of D weekly. I only have two more pills, then I'm supposed to get retested.
Generally, I seem to have low everything, some of which is good (blood pressure and cholesterol, for instance). I haven't had my ferritin checked in awhile, but it has always been abysmally low -- like 10. One doc put me on iron for two months then retested, and it was up to 14. So I gave up the supplements since they weren't doing much, anyway. My hematocrit turns out normal, though.
I think I should probably not stop taking B12 again, as I seem to run low, but I'm very confused about it. Do I take it forever? Why can't I retain it when I eat meat and eggs, etc? What do I take? How much?
My doctor isn't really helpful with this so I'm trying to do my own research to figure it out.
Thanks,
Missy