posted
I am so happy that everyone is so up on B-12. Unfortunately I only started learning about it this past friday. I have read the recent posts as well as some of the info on the newbie link, but I just don't have the time or patience to read all of it. Plus I really don't understand some of it when you guys start getting all teckie about it.
So here's my question. I do have lyme disease, and I was also seeing a hemo because my family doctor sent me to the hemo for my white blood cell count which is around 14,000 and has been high for almost 2 years now. So he did a bunch of tests, told me PRIOR to the tests being performed that I probably have leukemia (CLL). Scared the crap out of me!!! Ruined my Christmas, thought I may not see another Christmas with my kids.
So I told the lab, I wanted copies of all of my blood tests. They only sent me one, which happened to be my B-12 level. My level was 275. I saw the hemo on tuesday and he told me the great news (being sarcastic) that everything was "normal". Even though my white blood cells are still elevated, and my b-12 was on the low side.
The B-12 results I recieved from the lab had a note saying that even though my levels were within the "normal" range, people who are between 200 and 400 may experience symptoms of b-12 deficiency.
I didn't know what those symptoms were, so I looked them up. I must tell you that I was livid! I specifically went to see my family doctor almost 2 years ago because my bones were burning. The bottoms of my feet were burning. I was tired, my body was sore, etc. I had most of the symptoms associated with B-12 deficiency. And she never tested me. Now this hemo tells me that my level is normal.
Please help me figure out what to do as far as supplements. So far, I have only gotten vitamin pills. 250 mcg. I took two today, since it was my first time. I think I'm going to order the sublingual tabs just in case I have an absorption problem. Do you have any additional recommendations? How many mcg's should I be taking?
Thanks for reading this "book" of a post!
Teresa
-------------------- Powerful Women's Motto: Live your life in such a way that When your feet hit the floor In the morning, Satan shudders & says� 'Oh ****!...She's Awake!!
Yeah, a lot of docs have no clue about nutrients and seldom test for them unless asked, prodded, poked, cajoled, bribed, begged, and/or threatened.
They also don't seem to know the difference between "normal" and "optimal" levels.
The optimal level for B12 is around 1000, in spite of what the lab range might say. The top of many ranges are well below this.
Your level can be even higher, with no ill effects. It could just be what's normal for you.
The nice thing about B12 is that you can't overdose. Your body will just get rid of what it doesn't need.
I'm currently taking 3000mcg daily of B12. I also take 800mcg of folate with it. Some people take as much as 5000mcg daily.
You might consider heading down to Gary's World of Wellness on Ridge Pike in Eagleville. They carry a wide selection of B12 supps.
Probably cheaper than mail order, but same quality.
Btw, was the family doc you went to see 2 years ago in the medical building just off off Lewis road? On the 2nd floor? Story sounds familiar.
Can you tell I'm local? Nice to meet you neighbor!
---------
I'm not a medical professional and any information is from my own experience. Apply at your discretion.
-------------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. - Lewis Carroll Posts: 356 | From Body-PA, Mind-elsewhere | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
I can definitely tell. I totally forgot about Gary's! Thanks for reminding me. I called all of the local places and couldn't find sublingual b12. I'm going to head up to Gary's today. We eaten red meat for years, I don't like milk, eggs, cereal, ect., and I have lyme, so after reading up on b12, it's no wonder I am low. I bet my family is too, especially my husband because he has lyme too.
Even though I moved to Rofo years ago, I kept my family doctor from where I grew up, in Plymouth Meeting, so, I didn't use the one on Lewis Road, but I'll make sure I stay away!
Could you send me a PM telling me who you are seeing for Lyme? Have you found someone? Are you happy with them? Do they accept insurance?
It's great finding someone local! Thanks.
-------------------- Powerful Women's Motto: Live your life in such a way that When your feet hit the floor In the morning, Satan shudders & says� 'Oh ****!...She's Awake!!
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
See sometimes we are in charge of OUR OWN health & well being. As scarey and angry as that makes us. We cannot depend entirely on a doctor to see, understand, study and analyze everything about you.
Based on my experience and my body needs, I'm taking 3000mcg sublingual 5-7 days a week. It's a small white tablet that goes under the tongue and slowly melts under your tongue.
B-12 is hard for the body to absorb. Under the tongue is a way of getting more of the B-12 into your body. From what I understand even though I'm doing 3000mcg a day, my body may not be getting all that it needs.
Now Treepatrol is doing B-12 by injections. I don't know if it's suppose to be 100% absorbed that way or not.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Believe it or not, the Giant (the older one) carries liquid B12 drops.
Haven't looked to see if the newer one carries B12 lozenges. Will check when I head there today.
I'm not crazy about the combination of things in the liquid drops, but it works in a pinch when I can't get down to Gary's.
Yeah, that doc on Lewis Road. Great taste in shoes. Unfortunately, that's the only recommendation I can give for her.
If she actually had to diagnose anything, her head would explode. hmmmmmmmm...love that visual.
But anyway..... she's the one that wouldn't test me for Lyme last year when I asked her to because she said I didn't have fevers or chronic joint pain (it was only intermittant).
I haven't found any local (under a 2 hour drive) docs that I like. Still kind of hanging in limbo here.
I have an appt with a good lyme doc in new york state, but haven't seen him yet. The appt's in March.
And he doesn't take ins. Gonna have to tap into hubby's 401k to pay for treatment. Ugh!
I'm still making phonecalls to a few docs and interviewing whoever answers the phone.
Hoping I might find someone who's good as well as closer, but not counting on it.
Yes! Its really nice to meet someone who's local.
-------------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. - Lewis Carroll Posts: 356 | From Body-PA, Mind-elsewhere | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
What's crazy is that we live in what is one of the highest risk areas for lyme disease and we can't find a doctor who knows squat within 100 miles from here!
-------------------- Powerful Women's Motto: Live your life in such a way that When your feet hit the floor In the morning, Satan shudders & says� 'Oh ****!...She's Awake!!
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
Pam, you are so right about being in charge of our bodies. I think I might stop seeing this incompetent doctors and start paying myself $20 per visit!!!
Anyway, I took two b12 pills yesterday and went out this morning and found sublingual tablets. Took one today (3000 mcg), I could swear I got a rush from it that lasted a few minutes! I don't know if this is possible or not, but I think I am feeling a little less sore, a little more energy, and a higher spirits. I read with the shots, you can start feeling some improvement within hours.
-------------------- Powerful Women's Motto: Live your life in such a way that When your feet hit the floor In the morning, Satan shudders & says� 'Oh ****!...She's Awake!!
Bugg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8095
posted
Do you take Methyl-B-12 or the regular B-12? I know Dr. B's guidlines say Methyl-B but I'm confused as to what assists with inflammation....thanks
Posts: 1155 | From Southeast | Registered: Oct 2005
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-------------------- Powerful Women's Motto: Live your life in such a way that When your feet hit the floor In the morning, Satan shudders & says� 'Oh ****!...She's Awake!!
posted
I do methyl B12 shots 2x weekly. I LOVE them! Well, actually they used to give me quite a bit of energy. I could get multiple things done in a day, instead of maybe one errand, or none at all.
They don't affect me that way anymore, but that's okay. I was quite low in B12 before. I am now over 1,500!!! My LLMD said that is fine.
I could never take sublingual b12 because they have lactose in them, and I can't have any dairy. So, the shots are great!
Posts: 215 | From Student | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
Vitamin B 12 is best in liquid shot form. Otherwise your body does not absorb it correctly. I started with shots monthly but have been doing them weekly for over a year. Makes a huge difference in quality of life. Also very inexpensive. From my LLMD doc said tests for it are terribly wrong all the time.
Posts: 5 | From Eagle River, WI | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
Good thread. I just got my results and I was at around 650 but now I see that might still be low.
The top of the range is 900.
Always learning with this disease aren't we.
Posts: 413 | From nj | Registered: Nov 2005
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
I've heard a lot about sublingual not being absorbed. But my B-12 levels went way up doing the sublingual.
I also do B-12 IV along with a modified Myers Cocktail. I started it to help boost my system since it seemed clear I wasn't absorbing nutrients. I've been doing that since the summer and my energy has definitely risen.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
My dr started giving me the B12 shots but now my husband gives them to me. A lot of people I know do there own. You put the shot into a muscle not a vein so it's not hard. Some insurances cover it. But even without our local drugstore says less than $5 a month without insurance. With my insurance I pay 86 cents a month. You can buy it on line also or at health food stores.
Posts: 5 | From Eagle River, WI | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
I have the worst insurance ever known to human kind, and even they pay for a good amount of it. It works out to be about $4 per shot...not bad. I do it 2x weekly, so it's really not that expensive.
I get them at a compounding pharmacy, and they're pre-filled syringes. My LLMD ordered them for me. He suggested it, I never would have thought of it.
The best part is that it bypasses the gut, and since I don't seem to absorb ANYTHING, it's a great option for me!
Binks, I don't think you can get B12 shots at a health food store! Are you talking about B12 sublingual caps? You need a prescription for B12 shots.
Posts: 215 | From Student | Registered: Oct 2007
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MariaA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9128
posted
B-12 injectable is a prescription drug, but you can probably get a number of doctors to prescribe it as it's not a Lyme-specific sort of thing with the same stigma as long-term antibiotics or other drugs that Lymies have trouble convincing regular PCP's to give sometimes.
I get my methylcobalamine (injectable) from McGuff's Compounding Pharmacy (LLMD had to call in a prescription, and then they mail the liquid to me). I had to go get syringes at a regular drug store with the LLMD's prescription.
they're in California I think, and the # is 877 444 1133.
I think I pay $40 for a vial of it and it lasts for several months, and the same number of syringes are about $15 or less. The injections are relatively painless and easy to administer, though now that I've lost weight (I'm symptom-free now after a couple of years of antibiotics and Buhner Protocol) it's harder to find the fat to stick the syringe into. I'm not complaining!
It's REALLY cheap through that pharmacy, and this is a no-preservatives version, for whatever that's worth.
I also had lots of energy from it initially and then that effect normalized.
-------------------- Symptom Free!!! Thank you all!!!!
Bugg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8095
posted
Anyone feel more tired/sleepy right after the B-12 shot and then it kind of levels out?...that's what happens to me...
Posts: 1155 | From Southeast | Registered: Oct 2005
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