Dear Karen -
I have been following your thread for a day or so and have been intrigued by your low B-12 count, where I had that as well, now controlled by supplements, but in the process have picked up a tentative diagnosis (unrelated to your own, to say nothing of a small MI 5 years ago) that is associated with homocysteine, which is defined by Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier, as:
An amino acid containing sulfur and a homolog of cysteine, produced in the demethylation of methionine. It is also an intermediate product in the biosynthesis of cysteine from l-methionine via l-cystathionine in the breakdown of proteins. High levels of homocysteine are associated with an increased risk of collagen cardiovascular disorders, particularly thromboembolic stroke. It is believed the amino acid may have a toxic effect on cells lining the blood vessels. Studies also indicate that low levels of homocysteine are found in people with high intake of B vitamins. [Specifically, B6 and B12.]
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedic...m/homocysteine
That said, there is also evidence that homocysteine is a "risk marker and not a risk maker." "Homocysteine: The Rubik’s Cube of Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Editorial,"
Mayo Clinic Proceedings November 2008, Vol. 83, N. 11,
FREE FULL TEXT AT http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com.../1200.full.pdf Accordingly, I
would not urge you to start taking B-12 or Folic Acid - unless your doctors have already prescribed it - where that might just cover up the marker until you have your homocysteine levels checked, if that hasn't been done already. (And if not, shame on the doctors.)
What I would urge is that you seek a diagnosis from a very good multi-specialty clinic, specifically Scripps in La Jolla. There are just too many things going on in your body right now. Otherwise, bouncing from one doctor to the next may be just an endless round of "12 Blind Men and the Elephant." Let's just say, you deserve a good check-up, hopefully including the services of a competant peripheral neurologist. And in the meantime, get your homocysteine level checked pronto, if that hasn't already been done.
Mike
ps And for what it's worth, your description on Friday:
There are times, and this has been going on for years, that I feel like electricity is going thru my legs and the only way to make it stop is to walk around. It's never been enough to see a doctor about it, but it does happen frequently and passes if I go for a walk or jog.
Sounds just like my son's Restless Leg Syndrome.