Re: fatigue
Lori Gasik (lgasik(AT)kiwi.dep.anl.gov)
Fri, 9 May 1997 22:23:42 -0500
>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....
>
Well yes I'm still here baraly I just hate waiting I'm the type of person
that wants something right away. You know in a way physical therapy is
good but in a way its bad some of the people there really don't know much
about transverse myelitis and they treat me like I'm always gonna be like
this. Sure I know that there is a chance of that but what I need right now
is all the support I can get from everyone. Is it hard for any of you guys
to sleep at night because its real hard for me. Another thing is lately
I've been getting alot more muscle spasms and its really getting annoying.
And one more thing how many of you know about the myelin project and whats
going on there. I read there latest results on online but that was
from1995 and its been two years and I want to know whats up and if there
starting any clinical trials anywhere I'd be happy to participate. Like I
said I'll try anything I can to get out this dang thing.
Well see ya
Bill Kennedy