[hvalenti]

I have joined so many of these but can never seem to find my way back. I am not sure I am in the right place, but I need some guidance and perhaps someone can help advise me. ???

In Jan 2007 my MD dx'd me with B12 deficiency after my visiting her for memory problems. I have had a whole host of troubles that don't seem to be able to have a cause. I don't know if the B12 deficiency could be the cause of them or not. I have had many lab tests - all prove negative. But here is a list of some of the symptoms as well as some of the actual diagnoses that I have had within the last 4 years or so. Have been receiving b12 injections since Jan 07, approximately every 3-6 weeks.

Of course, saw my doctor for memory loss. This included complaints of being mentally foggy - unable to process thoughts or information. I had also, after living in my present home and state for 17 years, started to give our old address in another state as well as the city/zip code, and even consistently wrote incorrect years on my checks (usually the 1970s). ??? I did not feel I had any neurological symptoms, but I am not a good patient for I ignore a lot of things that could be symptoms. For instance, I notice numb spots on my legs every now and then - or areas that feel cold (from the inside, for the skin is warm to touch). Just prior to the B12 diagnosis, I recall that there was one patch on the outer part of my left calf that was extremely numb and tingly for several weeks - the feeling would come and go. I never mentioned this to my MD though for it has only been recently I'm wondering about neuro sx from the B12 problem. I cannot walk down our stairs without holding on (ESPECIALLY in the dark!!!) and counting the stairs to make sure I get to the bottom as I can't seem to process that I am there at the bottom (sometimes even when going upstairs I count). I experience what I've felt was just plain sciatica down my left leg fairly often, which comes and goes. Figured maybe I just had a bad disc or something.

I have been diagnosed with an **** fissure (ouch!) this year, also, that took 8months to get under control. Between the B12 deficiency and the fissure (caused by chronic diarrhea for several years, NOT hard stools) I thought maybe I had Crohn's Disease or IBS or IBD. However, recently had an abdominal/pelvic CT which showed NO problems, although did show a swollen lymph node in the portacava cavity, which my MD says not to worry about...?).

Two years ago I was diagnosed (by biopsy) with HSP Vasculitis. I experience joint pain and stiffness, particularly in my ankles and hips. I also have right shoulder pain which started about a year and a half ago which seems to come and go, but is pretty painful when it comes. I am so tired that sometimes I can sleep all day. Other days I sleep ok and can function during the day. Because my symptoms seem so diffuse my family has trouble believing I feel as lousy as I do - they think I am just being lazy for the most part.

Ok, here is my plea. What kind of specialist should I see? Neuro? Gastro? Blood doc? I think my PCP has really done about all she can do - she's ordered every test under the sun (checked for RA, done ANA panels, etc.). Should I ask for a lumbar puncture to have my CSF analyzed? I'm am in a quandry. Can ANYBODY help me?

Thank you for your time.

[Megan]

Hi hvalenti,

If you go to the peripheral neuropathy forum on NeuroTalk you will find quite a lot of information on B12 deficiency. This is the link - or at least I hope it gets you there.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

Just wondering if you have had testing done for coeliac/celiac disease by having the IgA and IgG antigliadin tests and Anti -tTG done?

Megan

[Heidi L]

I'm glad Megan brought up the Celiac tests, I was going to suggest the gluten sensitivity tests. I just recovered from dementia on a gluten free diet. Here's a link to my story:

http://www.lindborglabs.com/AboutHeid.htm

Please feel free to email me if you like,
Heidi

[dorrie]

Hi HVALENTI! Welcome to Neurotalk!