Does anyone know if someone has a deficiency in B-12, how long does it take for the nerves to heal?

Hi Healthgirl

Not certain on this sorry - MrsD may know more. With some types of neuropathy, depending on the cause, length of time etc some nerves are damaged beyond repair.

I'm guessing here but I would think that the body would try to rebuild the B12 stores before using B12 to rebuild nerves (mainly because B12 is utilised in so many processes in the body besides nerves) . . . then again it may do it simultaneously. Also nerves regrow so slowly that it may be hard to tell if/when they are improving.

Sorry this isn't probably any help to you. How're you doing with the search for the cause of your (and your family's) neuropathy? Were you able to get any definite results on the mold possibility?

depends on the severity of the b12, i initially looked at b12 deficiency for my symptoms. you would have to had it for a while, b12 does reverse the symptoms. theres a chance of long lasting residual effects after b12 supplmentation.

Alot depends on the person and the length of time that patient was deficient.

In Japan in the '70's there was a severe epidemic of low B12 from a drug commonly used there (Vioform). Many of those patients did not get better, so Japan leads the world in testing and treating low B12 even today.

This link explains more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subacu...of_spinal_cord

B12 is used by the body for many things....so there is a priority of sorts when starting supplements. But there has not been much in the way of research describing recovery %'s or timing.
And it may be that one would need B12 supplements for life. If the original cause is not found for the deficiency, I believe one should assume,a life long need to supplement this.

My number was at 119 and started supplements plus monthly shots. I am remembering about six or five shots and the numbers went to over 900. My strength got better but I don't know if any nerves healed. I guess that they had to be some healing otherwise how did strength improve? I don't know if the muscles that have good nerves got stronger or did nerves heal to create more signals to involve more muscle fibers. There may be tests that could shed light on this chicken or egg type question but after so many tests I got to where I didn't care as long as improvement was happening. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

So how many months since the deficiency was found and supplementation began?

It takes a few years for deficiency to show up because your liver stores at least 5 years worth if you stop intaking dietary b12 from foods.

Hi Healthgirl

I started supplementing in May this year - about 2 mths after working out my B12 numbers had decreased by more than half over 5 years. I had to delay starting as I was having an adverse reaction to another medication and had to get that clear of my system first. I've been taking B12 1000mg methylcobalamin almost daily for 5 mths. (with a week break for testing in July). I went from a low of 229 pg/mL up to 487 pg/mL over two mths. I'm guessing at this point I'm still rebuilding the liver stores. Due for another test in about a month so will see how progress is going.

Supplementation started immediately after blood test that was after first symptom that was 4 days after car wreck. Self diagnosed as trauma-induced Neuropathy.Neurosurgeon just said PN. Probably didn't want to tie anything to accident as testimony doesn't pay like doing surgery. Learned later that Metformin use over long time affects B-12 absorbtion in around 30% of diabetics. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

Thanks for asking... we are ok. Still searching for answers. It is just so strange. So hard to accept that we might not find the answer to this.