Vitamin B12 and Neuropathy

Posted by lorirenee1 @lorirenee1, Dec 9, 2019

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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

helennicola | @helennicola | Dec 31, 2019

In reply to @pfbacon "Did any of you develop Neuropathy after having a particularly virulent virus or flu ? Peggy" + (show)

@pfbacon, I developed SFN after a bout with the flu, I thought perhaps taking the drug Tamiflu rather than the virus caused mine. (the Tamiflu was also ineffective) I had read somewhere online about this possibility but that reference has since disappeared. I don’t think there is any way of knowing definitively the cause. At any rate my neuro didn’t seem to think it would make any difference in my treatment, I hope she was right.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Dec 31, 2019

In reply to @pfbacon "Did any of you develop Neuropathy after having a particularly virulent virus or flu ? Peggy" + (show)

Hi, @pfbacon - great question. You might check out this Connect discussion, where members are talking about the potential development of neuropathy after a virus https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-viral-neuropathy/

lorirenee1 | @lorirenee1 | Dec 31, 2019

In reply to @rwinney "No, not at all. It did however regulate my crazy rollercoaster body temps, heart palpitations, exhaustion,..." + (show)

@rwinney so the B12 helped, but not for what you took it for, exactly. Crazy. But at least it helped.....Lori Renee

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Dec 31, 2019

In reply to @lorirenee1 "@rwinney so the B12 helped, but not for what you took it for, exactly. Crazy. But..." + (show)

Correct, those areas only but, has not touched the neuropathy damage. I'm told that means the damage wasn't caught early enough. Orrrr, it's all a just one big farce. Hah, we'll never know. I'm going with... a Major in Idiopathic and a Minor in B12 deficiency. Haha

Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Dec 31, 2019

In reply to @rwinney "Correct, those areas only but, has not touched the neuropathy damage. I'm told that means the..." + (show)

Just love that humor @rwinney.

helennicola | @helennicola | Dec 31, 2019

In reply to @rwinney "Correct, those areas only but, has not touched the neuropathy damage. I'm told that means the..." + (show)

Hi @rwinney, I also enjoy your sense of humor, don’t ever lose it.😁 I am curious though as to whether or not an early diagnosis of idiopathic neuropathy can lead to a reversal, have you any knowledge of successful cases? Mine was diagnosed early on but never was I prescribed any specific or special treatment. Thanks, Helen

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Dec 31, 2019

In reply to @artscaping "Just love that humor @rwinney." + (show)

Sometimes its good to keep it light. 😉

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Dec 31, 2019

In reply to @helennicola "Hi @rwinney, I also enjoy your sense of humor, don’t ever lose it.😁 I am curious..." + (show)

Hah, thank you! Haven't heard of any Helen. Honestly I believe the stars must align for reversal but I'm sure there are so many factors that go into it... if it were possible.

peggyn | @peggyn | Dec 31, 2019

I've been told mine is from pinched nerves in lower back. He thinks surgery can help. I haven't decided anything for sure yet.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jan 1, 2020

In reply to @goldleaf "You are so very right on that observation. I wish I could spend more of my..." + (show)

Hi, @goldleaf - thanks for the reminder of the value of laughter. If you've not yet seen this Connect discussion on humor as a coping tool, you might be interested and have some input to contribute there https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/humor-as-a-coping-tool