fatigue
Barbara Meese (brmeese(AT)ma.ultranet.com)
Fri, 9 May 1997 22:45:23 -0400
I've noticed alot of talk about b12 and also about fatigue. Eight months
after my tm hit I was reading a vitamin book and it mentioned b12
defiencieny symptoms...fatigue, numbness in arms and legs, depression,
plus some other stuff. I called my primary physician and asked if I had
ever had my b12 level checked. He said no because I hadn't complained of
any intestinal problems and the other blood work didn't indicate a possible
b12 problem. I had it checked anyway and it was just below the lowest
acceptable level. (normal levels should range from 220 to 900 I think)
Mine was about 210. I had 5 injections and since October have been taking
1000 micrograms a day. Someone mentioned that they took it sublingually
because of absorption in the stomach. the only reason you have to do it
that way is if your body is lacking "intrinsic factor" which is present in
your stomach and allows it to absorb the B12. You don't usually have a b12
deficiency because you don't get enourgh (you only need about 5 micrograms
a day and its in most meats) but because you just aren't able to absorb it.
the test to determine if you are lacking "intrinsic factor" is called the
Schilling test. I didn't have it done but repeat tests have showed my b12
staying in the 600 to 700 range with oral b12. It had an immediate effect
on my fatigue and depression. I'm wondering if other folks have had their
b12 checked. The article I was reading about b12 said that a study done in
Cleveland had shown some correlation between b12 and MS. Since b12 is very
important to your neurological well being it makes sense to me.
For those new to the list, I'm Barb and I was affected with TM in February
96 but not actually diagnosed until July. My onset was very gradual,
confused everyone, and I have one lesion at the very base of my spine in
the tailbone area, too low for a number even. I would say that I have
recovered 98%, never took any meds, no pain, just lack of function of right
leg and later left arm and left side of my head. Still have electrical
shocks in head when I'm tired, stressed or overdue it. Emotionally it was
very trying because of the 5 months of no one understanding what was
happening. My husband lives in Cleveland (I'm in boston) and I think
thought I was going nuts. He just kept telling me to exercise more. I
mostly swam, tried to walk and slept alot. Also started acupuncture at the
same time as the B12 and that seemed to restore the feeling back to my
limbs.
Have a nice weekend .... Wondering how Bill is , he's been pretty quiet
this week....