--in terms of complexity of case and interactive effects, I'd be willing to wager a lot of us here go right past zebra into the realm of okapi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi

^^^^^^haha excellent!

Checked out the link - Wow - just learned something new - never heard (or seen pictures) of such an amazing and beautiful animal. thanks glenntaj - I'd be happy to be considered an okapi rather than a zebra.

OMG - MrsD I suspect your chin might hit the floor if you check out this link.

http://www.schickersunichem.co.nz/bu...b12-in-nz.html

I know repeatedly you have informed us of how inexpensive methylcobalimun B12 oral supplementation can be (in the US) and although I'm not yet ready to start I thought I'd check out sources for high dose supply in NZ and came across this. $852 for 90 pills.

Morning bluesfan,

We buy ours online from the US from places like iHerb or VitaCost. There may be others. They both deliver here and very fast too. I imagine our customs would be similar to yours.

Hi Lara
You're up early - or is it insomnia? I was just checking out the i-herb site and given MrsD's previous recommendations will probably go with that. Can't start until I've had the tests and figured out doses yet. The doc will probably want to start me on injections but not sure if that'll be possible because of the effect they have lowering potassium (crucial for Addison's management).
Not worried about supply - i herb seem to have a pretty good shipping service. Do you order a year's supply at once? I'll check into the NZ customs requirements before ordering. A couple of years ago I had to figure out how to get my DHEA supply into Oz for a holiday trip. Managed to do it all online - got the permit etc and when I walked thru the airport they weren't even interested - go figure. Have a good day.

I was up a couple of hours ago unfortunately. It wasn't insomnia today it was "cat". Very wet weather here and she kept me awake half the night. Oh well.

I learned about getting it from Brian who used to post here. He'd checked it all out with customs etc.. I look for specials and buy other things at the same time. I also take Inositol powder and some other things so I get them regularly and save on shipping that way.

You have a good day too.

p.s. $852 LOL I am sorry but it's laughable isn't it. Unreal.

$$$$

Just a FYI but I shared this with my PCP and he loved it!! He was the one that taught me the "hoof beats" maxim.

It's been over a month since I first posted this thread – it seems like it's been a month of waiting for one test result after another. The IFA, PCA, and Coeliac screen all came back negative.

I did get an Endo appointment (April 20) but it was less than useful. It was the 3rd endocrinologist in two years and in spite of the other 2 both being in clinic I was ushered into the head of dept. I may have officially become a 'difficult' patient and was relegated to him to 'sort me out'. He doesn't do computers, doesn't believe in supplements, all he wanted to know about was my Addison's history – can't he read a file!

In frustration immediately after the appt. I went and had Homosysteine and Methylmalonic Acid tests done privately. From what I've read these tests are more definitive than serum tests for B12 (and other) deficiencies. Results both in the low/mid of normal range (high is bad). My conclusion is that I don't have clinical B12 deficiency or a malabsorption problem.

Just to throw another spanner in the works it seems I may have had zinc poisoning. A case of too much of a good thing. Back in Nov 2012 I was prescribed Elemental Zinc 50 mg daily for wound and bruise healing (not happening due to Addison's disease). It worked as intended but what I wasn't told is that the dose was above recommended maximum daily levels (40mg for adults) and that it shouldn't be used for long periods. Note: it is a prescription medication and the dose is indicated for medical treatment. I discussed it with my GP who told me to stop taking it immediately. That was 12 days ago - some (but not all) of the more recent symptoms have improved in the past 3 days – brain is clearer (can't you tell? ), less headaches, stomach pain, diarrhea, insomnia etc.

Why the warnings weren't there and why I was taking it for so long with inadequate monitoring is too long a story for here but suffice to say I'm following up with the relevant authorities.

For anyone taking zinc or considering it please be aware it can be toxic. Also it is the amount of Elemental Zinc that is important. If a label doesn't define this don't buy it. The best site I found for info is:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zin...ofessional/#h2

It was a random post from another person on NT that alerted me to the possibility that zinc might be a part of my problem so thanks again to all on this great site.

So where does this leave me? The PN is unchanged but I finally have a neurologist appt. - next week. Having done half his work for him I bet he takes the easy way out and I get labeled idiopathic. More screams of frustration expected! Stay tuned.