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Vitamin B12 and Neuropathy
I went to my Neurologist and saw the nurse, because my neurologist had to cancel all her appointments. The nurse went thru all my blood work, and said my B12 is way too low for someone with Neuropathy. She repeated that B12 test, and again it is low. Because it is in a low, but normal range, 2 neurologists, 2 pain specialists, and 1 primary care physician of mine, did not catch that it was low. Only this nurse did, and now I need a week of daily Vitamin B12 shots, and then weekly, for a month. If you have neuropathy, B12 level should be at least at 400. Mine is at 185. I am praying Vitamin B12 helps. I really know nothing about Vitamin B12. Just found out mine is way too low for neuropathy. These doctors need to read the actual numbers, not just the highlights of what blood work is out of range. Maybe this could have been caught 2 years ago. I don't know if Vitamin B12 will help, but I am giving it a try. We all go thru so much.... Lori Renee
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I’m wondering if you got better results after increasing your B12?
This is a long period after your earlier posting re B12 levels
I was told my B12 was too high - and to reduce / not take any B supplements- I’m not sure this tracks - Will get more blood work done to follow up
Thanks !
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2 ReactionsGreetings. I have in my history two bouts of peripheral neuropathy symptoms associated with low B12, that improved with my taking oral B12. The low B12 had been associated with PPI use (given for acid-peptic disease). I now continue to take oral B12 even though my levels have normalized. I do this based on soft evidence that as I age, it "may assist" with diminishing cognitive decline. I am not aware that there is any harm with this practice. Good luck to you.
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3 ReactionsI have SFN and joint hypermobility and low B-12 level in initial blood work. I have been injecting weekly with 1000 mg of B-12 for about two years as I don’t absorb it from pills. My new doctor has just cut the frequency to once per month, which is the “normal” range. However no bloodwork has been done for two years so now I realize all this treatment is flying blind. My question is how often others are taking b-12 injections?
My symptoms of diabetic neuropathy showed up 2 yrs ago. I was prescribed paracetamol+ vitamin B, I kept having stomach issues and discovered paracetamol is a UNSAID so I take complex B vitamin and pregabalin to help with the neuropathy and it works. I did however had side effects when I didn't take pregabalin, I got shortness of breath, and weakness. But as soon as I took pregabalin the symptoms went away.
I hope this was helpful in some way.
Thanks; have a blessed day.
I found B-12 deterred the foot pain. I was taking B-12 shots three times a month. When the pain in my feet (spiking and burning sensations) reaching a level 3 in pain I wanted to go to 4 shots per month. My PCP said my B-12 level was exceeding the levels she required and shut down the injections to once every 3 weeks. As a result there are times when the pain levels will begin to increase up to 7/8. I am also taking 1 B-12 1000 mcg supplement per day. I just started taking 2/day to see if this helps. Let you know what the results are next month.
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1 Reaction@tmlpsm1942 try subliminal
@tmlpsm1942
Good morning, I was just told yesterday to begin taking B12 which I will. So far I have tingling in my feet not any real pain, so I am hopeful B12 will minimize the tingling I have. Thank you.
My experience with B-12 was that over time if you are taking tablets that you will graduate to injection to continue to fight the neuropathy issue. I reached the limit of B-12 when my doctor stopped and controlled the dosage. It only kept on getting worse as time passed and became less affective.
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2 ReactionsLong-term, undiagnosed, vitamin B12 deficiency can CAUSE neuropathy (and, at the very least, contribute to it)!!! This is especially true if you have elevated folate, which is masking the vitamin B12 deficiency. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT IS CALLED "FUNCTIONAL" B12 DEFICIENCY. Your B12 numbers can actually be within range or low-normal, but your body cannot use the B12 the way it was intended. This is what happened to me and it went undiagnosed 7 years. I now have irreparable nerve damage. You should feel markedly better after several weeks with the B12. I had no idea how debilitating the complications from B12 deficiency could be. You should look at some of the youtube videos on "Long-term complications from b12 deficiency", and see if those line up with what you're experiencing. If you are like me, and think you may have "functional" b12 deficiency, ask your physician for an MMA (methylmalonic acid) blood test. This will prove whether you have a functional b12 deficiency. Best of luck
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1 Reaction@tmlpsm1942 B12 is a funny thing. You can have adequate b12 in your blood but for various reasons it’s not at the cellular level. My husband had pn from feet to chest and was finally diagnosed with subacute degeneration of the spine/transverse myelitis. He was given b12 injections daily to try and slow down progressive paralysis which lead to his death. Not to be a downer but if you have pn not caused by diabetes stay on top of it. It is taken too lightly by many doctors. God bless
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