No nothing major. But I have discovered that the B-12 I was taking was making my symptoms worse. I've steadily improved since I stopped taking it. I'm also exercising more and that's helping. For awhile that made it worse but I seem to have hit a phase where it helps and I *must* do it or the pain gets worse.

As soon as I have a chance, there's a health food store a few blocks over from where I live, I'll go and see if they have the other version of B-12, the Metyl formulation that's been recommended here.

Losing a bit of weight has helped considerably too. Being off the SSRI (Effexor XR) and other meds has done the trick. The weight is beginning to come off with little added effort from me. Down almost 20 lbs.

Jarrett:

Congrats on the 20 lb loss. I lost exactly 2 lbs this month. Alan weighs me. I dont' want to know what I weigh. He laughs and thinks it's stupid. If he ever told me the exact number, well, let's just say, he wouldn't be standing any more.

Bad experience with scales so I don't look at them.


How come you had a bad experience with the B-12.
Boy it was exactly the opposite for me.

Mel

It may be that you are a rare person who is sensitive to something in the preparation. But, it is important to recognize that symptoms can worsen temporary as improvement takes place. That is especially common after a period of easy improvement during which time symptoms look like they are just going to go away quickly and easily. Those who have significant damage to repair often find that symptoms worsen as a particular system or area is being worked on.

Anyway, you probably took B12 long enough to build stores, and unless you store exceptionally badly you will continue to benefit from those stores for a very long time. However, not good to take that for granted.

I am glad that since you can get the methylcobalamin form you will.

rose

Hi. I remember you saying that about the b12. I stopped mine too. I thought it contributes to my dizzy feeling. Since stopped I'm not dizzy but still out of it. Someone on another forum said it could be an allergy to it but I don't know. I know though many have great success with the b12. I want to try it again or the complex to see if it will help with my pain though. Congrats on the weight. Melody I get weighed backwards too. In recovery they try to teach you your not a number and to focus on feeling good and being healthy for you.

Perhaps I simply can't metabolize it properly and the stuff that can't be used is building up in my system. It's not that the B-12 didn't and doesn't work for me it just seems that the 'stuff' builds up in my system and causes more pain. I *know* it's worked for me so I'm going to get some of the methyl formulation and give that a go.

The weight thing is very good news for me and my cholesterol. I *told* my doctor the problem was the stupid drugs they had me on. And this just proves it. When I go back for my 6 months checkup around the end of Dec, first part of Jan she'll see it for herself. I *know* my body when it comes to the weight issues. This has been with me all my life. So I know what I'm doing. Even with just the almost 20lbs gone I physically feel so much better. Only about 50 more to go. And I know I can do that.

Oooo. I know what you mean about the scale. I brave it at least once a week or so. Actually it's been about 2 or 3 since the last time I checked so this shows me it's a healthy, steady shedding of the medically induced weight gain. I'm losing about 3 lbs a week now. And I'm not starving myself. Just being careful what I eat and I've added lottsa fiber.

Yes! Weight numbers are just that. It's one's level of health overall and physical fitness that counts. Also, you can carry much more muscle than fat and look thinner than what the scale says. Muscle is good. It burns calories quicker and more efficiently than fat does. The better condition you're in and the more muscle you have the higher your metabolism is.

Different docs' scales show different weights? I just calibrate [note] what Doc X's scale says to mine....I've met only one doc scale that agrees with mine! I really, REALLY like THAT DOC! The ones that instantly add pounds are ones I just say, well [since I've made mental notes plus/minus to mine] about the same or a little less...right? They look at me totally 'bug-eyed' - like I remember? Duh - My IVIG dose is weight dependent - I have to know these things, that's why I take a note pad w/me to each visit.. same for BP.

Jarrett, yes meds do play games with our Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and a lot of the Bloodwork #'s get skewed due to them. It's hidden in all the 'prescription information' all over in the fine print. I'd probably have better luck at someplace like Atlantic City or Vegas [and I don't find gambling interesting at all!].

Pain free times, and maybe some fun! - j

Well, if muscle weighs more than fat, then I must be Hercules.

I wouldn't get on a scale if I weighed 120 lbs.

Really, I wouldn't. The darn thing hates me.

So I just don't think about it. My clothes look fine, my doctor is happy, my body is happy, my diabetes is under control, my neuropathy is happy.

Alan is walking again.

I'm happy!!!!

y'all know we have a weight loss forum here right?

very motivating..and it;s members from all over the forum. we do our best with all the different health problems and rx's everyone has.

ps..and it helps having a gym owner who has been in the biz for 18 + years as the resident monkey motivator.

it's simply the disparities between scales..If one can get weighed on two different scales in the same docs' offices on two different floors and one gets a 20 lb disparity from what your own scale says...well. The docs CLAIM their scales are checked every year but each is different w/the same person on the same day [one who hasn't had a bathroom break-to change things?]

In my case, I watch my weight more than others as the cancer meds should be INCREASING my poundage...they arent...I don't know whether to be lucky or concerned...It almost leads one to a spookey concept such as paranoia or something.. Actually according to all the meds I'm on, I should be about 25 pounds heavier than I am?
Soo, as long as I'm 'holding steady' I am thinking good things, simply because the alternatives aren't accepable...

Now - That you have a 'resident monkey motivator' does that mean we should start a new forum to pat each of us for actually doing our theraband exercises ...rather than talking about it? It IS soo easy to well, put off? - j

Jarrett - sorry It's my fault I got this off the B-12 track...Beat me with a wet noodle or something?