Hi, I live in UK but used to live in USA and in 2006 had some shooting pains in legs and had Electromyography and results were that I had distal motor neuropathy, bilateral. Etiology to be determined. My dr. tested for diabetes and was told I didn't have that. The pain seemed to go away but in the last 6 months or so I have had numbness/loss of sensation in feet, legs and up to my waist. I went to GP in UK who did blood tests for diabetes and Vit B12 and both were normal.

After reading a lot here I am not sure what B12 results were as I am in USA visiting my daughter at the moment and results are at home and am thinking that normal is maybe not "optimal" but don't want to take B12 just in case as it was the higher end of normal if I remember correctly.

I do like a drink of wine but would not consider myself an alcoholic (they all say that LOL) and would drink maybe a couple of glasses of red most nights which I have now stopped. I have ordered Benfothiamine and Dr. Best R ALA (thanks MRs. D) and will take them as soon as they arrive.

I am lucky that I have no pain, just a bit of a sunburn effect on my shins but worried in case it gets worse. Dr. in Uk did the pin/feather test which I could tell the difference and basically that is the end of any treatment there.

Is there anything else I should be aware of? I have read these forums for hours and would like to thank everyone for their input. Fingers crossed these vitamins will help me. Should I take B12, can it be toxic if too high? I just bought the magnesium lotion today also and will try that, is it all over areas that have loss of sensation or just feet? What does it do exactly? Maybe I should get some slow mag too?

I am just hoping that I can stop this before it gets any worse as I realise I am a lot better than most with no pain so far, just loss of sensation/burning, like a sunburn/also hot/icy/hard to describe feeling on legs.

I would appreciate any help that anyone can give me, thanks in advance.

HI Welcome.

Is there any way that you can get your B-12 levels (Maybe a phone call to your primary care doctor)??. What they say is NORMAL, is not normal by any means. You just might have a deficiency going on. We take a special form of B-12 called Methyl B-12. I take 5000 every single day, been doing this for 7 years. My levels are about 2000. Never had a problem.

Let's see what the others come up with when they reply to you.

Take care

Melody

Thank you for your reply, I will be able to look up the results in a couple of weeks when I go home but the UK levels are probably different to USA levels but I know it is was towards the top end but think I will maybe start taking the B12 methyl as you suggest. Is it toxic in large doses do you know?

I have also read that some people take ALC so will look into that too.

Thanks