At my appointment with the neruologist on Friday he tested my B12 level. Turns out I have a Vitamin B12 deficiency and I started B12 injections yesterday. My husbands giving them to me verses me going into the office. I have to take one a day for a week. Then one a week for a month. Then one a month there after.
I'm not sure my B12 level has ever been tested before. I have an Aunt who also gets these injections for the same deficiency once a month. She has a under active thyroid as well but I do not have that problem. She says these injections have totally changed her life. When I talked to her yesterday she described symptoms very simular to so many of us here have described in the past. (Fatigue being the worst) She said no one could ever figure out what was wrong with her until they discovered this B12 thing.
I'm curious if anyone else here has this B12 Deficiency. Is this something that is routinely tested for? I don't know if this is new for me or if this is the first time I've been tested for it.
Hi Lovie,
It is very unfortunate that some of us must need a neurologist appt. before anyone checks out our levels of B-12. B-12 deficiency can cause major nerve problems. My levels are alright and so was the brain MRI. Next we go to those icky tests.
I sure hope that you realize major improvement taking the B-12!
Take care
I'm still going to have to go throught the icky EMG. It's scheduled for 10/17 but the more I read about this B12 thing the more I realize this could easily be describing a lot of what I've been feeling.
It could certainly have been the cause of all that caused me to have to be taken off of Humira. That could be a very good thing for me if I ever need Humira in the future.
Seems to be this b12 test should be one of the first things they check when you go to a RD complaining about pain and fatigue. I'm stunned that it wasn't checked before.
Yes, the wonderful neuro at Wake Forest also did a B12 test along with other tests that could find the cause my symptoms, such as a lyme blood test. My lyme, B12 and brain MRI were normal so no help there but she did find the positive rheum factor which led me to the RD. What blows me away is, I had seen about 5 different neuros, neurosurgeons and internists and only the Wake Forest doctor thought to do any blood work at all. GRRRRshel
Thanks Shel. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I thought "Oh, Vitamin B12....sure. Whatever". But the more I read about it I'm seeing that a lot of the things it causes could be contributing to some of my other problems. Some people have a horrible time until they finally figure out the cause and then the shots are a easy quick fix. Hopefully this will fix those problems. The shots are easy. Compared to Humira it's no big deal. I was worried at first because I always dreaded doing the Humira injections; but I was surprised to find the B12 isn't bad at all.
Doobgirl;You have to do it every week? Everything I'm reading has people doing it once a month once they get through this first part. I'm doing it once a day for a week then once a week for a month then once a month there after.
I'm hoping for a lot more energy. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Lovie,
What were your symptoms? I'm glad they figured out what was going on. I hope the shots work.
Phats
I pulled a very high B12, an abnormality - fits me perfectlyThe neruologist dx'ed neruopathy and has ordered a EMG for the problems in my legs as well as what he thinks is CTS.
I've only spoken with the nurse since they found the B12 thing but she said he didn't feel like the B12 was causing these other problems I've been having.
Besides fatigue I'm not sure what symptoms I've had that might have been related to the B12.
Sorry. I know that's not real helpful.