Hi Rose!

Thanks for your advice!

When I wrote that I had found you, I meant that I found you over at BT (BrainTalk)! So, you were right that it wasn't here at NeuroTalk that I had found you, regarding my post.

I'll stick with the Vitamin B-12 (sub-lingual/under the tongue "methyl cobal amin"), as you have recommended. I'm now taking 1,000 mcg (micro-grams) twice a day, plus a B-complex (50 mg/milligram type), once daily.

I was a bit surprised that I was low in B-12, but considering that my eating habits were somewhat erratic, and I was under stress for the past few years, maybe I shouldn't have been surprised!
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Brian,

No, I haven't had the glucose tolerance test, yet. I'm looking for a really good diabetes doc in the Denver area, first, to see if there are any less drastic tests for diabetes. I also am worried that such an extreme test (so much glucose eaten all at once) could throw me over into getting diabetes!

I'm slowly reading Dr. Julian Whitaker's book "Reversing Diabetes". It's good, except he didn't know anything about gluten sensitivity, it seems. I'm not gluten sensitive (my husband is), but, I still avoid gluten to support my husband's gluten-free eating (to prevent cross contamination with gluten).
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Daniella,

Good luck in getting diagnosed (regarding your high liver enzymes, possible pancreatitis, possible gluten sensitivity, possible diabetes, etc.)! Follow up on all your hunches, including going to the Gluten Sensitivity/Celiac Disease forum, here at NeuroTalk.

Also, from what I've learned, either gluten &/or milk proteins, can (if a person is sensitive to either one) cause an auto-immune reaction that can attack almost any place in the body, including the pancreas, resulting in diabetes, & other places in the body.

You may also want to get your THYROID gland and ADRENAL glands checked by a good endocrinologist (who hopefully also knows about diabetes).

Thanks, everyone!

Carol
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

Thanks and good luck to you too. I actually am seeing a endocrinologist on next Fri. My new neuro got me squeezed in and she does have specialty in all those areas. I think for me my blood work is always off. I used to get it done like every other day and the results varied so. Also when I was so under weight and all my hair was falling out everything in blood was fine except the liver. Like how could that be? On another note for you and while you wait have you thought of seeing a nutritionist? It may help but make sure they have specialize in the area you need. Otherwise more harm then good can happen.
Rose my new neuro said to even take the b complex and b12. She feels though my tests are normal/high that I still may have a deficiency or in any case no harm will be done

Carol,

Low B12 is almost never due to diet. And because of the way B12 is stored, and used in very small quantities each day, stress wouldn't be the cause either.

In most cases a person would have to have been a vegan (no meat or dairy) for many years and eat little fortified foods to become deficient due to diet.

Malabsorption is common, and some degree of malabsorption is very common after a few decades of life.

rose

Daniella,

Good for the doc!

My labs (the ones most docs do) were also great, even though I was being severely damaged. By the time I got to a rare neurologist who knew how to test for B12 deficiency (no one else had even begun to test for it), and he diagnosed me, I was months from death, but all my other labs (which most docs order) still looked great.

rose

Hi Rose and Daniella!

Thanks for your good advice!

I'm thinking maybe my stomach doesn't make enough HCl (hydrochloric acid), since I'm in my 60's, so this may be part of the cause of my mal-absorbing Vitamin B-12.

I'm already starting to notice some improvements in sensation (takes a little longer to get tingling/pins & needles, when sitting on the pot, reading a book, & fewer paresthesias/unusual sensations), since starting to take B-12 (methyl cobal amin, under the tongue/sub-lingual), daily. I'm taking it religiously, as you suggested, Rose.

My slight ankle edema is still there, along with some skin redness & shinyness from ankle up about 5 inches. Heart problems were ruled out.

I do suspect possible pre-diabetes, & I have to use self control to not drink fruit juices too much. I'm off all junk foods, but sometimes I do crave fruit juices, & I'm thirsty, & get dry mouth, more than I think I should.

I may be lacking dietary iodine, since I don't use iodized salt, and don't live on the coast. Will check with an endocrinologist about possible low thyroid.

A doctor I like just gave me names of a neurologist & endocrinologist, & a gyn. that his wife likes, so when I can, I'll go to see all of them, to get their take on some possible causes of my PN. The neuro I had seen, who said I have PN, said he didn't know what was causing my PN. Idiopathic (unknown cause).

Rose, do you remember who once gave a humerous definition of idiopathic, that her doc had said to her: (We're idiots, and don't know causes)

Carol
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

Hi Carol. i wouldn't be worried about that Glucose Tolerance test making you a full blown diabetic, i think it would take a lot more than a drink to push your levels over to being a full blown diabetic, its only a matter of not moving around much whilst having the test, you are given a sweet drink every hour and draw a bit of blood later to see your bodies reaction, its a piece of cake really.
Its only the fasting over night and not being able to have my normal couple cups of coffee in the morning that felt uncomfortable for me, i wouldn't hesitate to have another if they wanted me too.
Brian

Carol,

I'm glad your taking your methylcobalamin.

Yes, you would be unusual if you didn't malabsorb at least a little bit at your age.

rose

Hi Concerned Lady:

I take one 5000 methyl b-12 upon arising in the morning. It's on an empty stomach. Then one hour later (it takes almost 45 minutes for it to dissolve under my tongue. Been doing this for almost 2 months now!!

The burning in my feet has gotton much much better. I even take another 5000 during the day, but it's never with a meal. It's always WAY after a meal. I want my body to absorb as much as it can.

So 10,000 a day for me is not unusual for the b-12 methyl. No side effects, feel good, (even the guy across the street ordered it when I showed him the bottle, he has neuropathy in his hands). We know it takes a long time to repair nerves. So I figured it took me 20 years of being a diabetic to get this neuropathy, it's not going to go away over night.

We do what we can to heal our bodies.

I wish you well!!

Melody

I'm reading a book on nutrients for neuropathy and am going to talk to my doc about extra supplements. It advocates sometimes like 4 times the amount to help aid in recovery. I'm not saying to do this on your own cause some vitamins there can be a toxicty issue. I also heard that your b12 can be normal like mine is high but your body may not absorb it. Like my b12 is still 1500 qnd my doc said the 1000 of b12 and the b complex is fine but I wonder if I could take more.
Concern lady are you elevating your legs and especially at night? Before this I think I stated I had the worse edema and it helps to elevate and also the support hose. As for juice can you dilute it with water? I know your concerned about the test but I would think the benefit of knowing is very important so you can control it better.I so agree about the docs. My old one's favorite word seemed like I don't know. Good luck

That is why one should wait at least a few days after stopping the B12 to have blood drawn for testing. The B12 being measured in the blood has been absorbed, but much of it will not be stored. You want to make sure your store of B12 is good and strong.

New members, remember that someone who absorbs a small percentage of the large dose (1000 mcg or more) cannot absorb any from a small dose if malabsorption is severe.

More B12 is not a problem, and much more can be taken if it is methylcobalamin.

rose