I am sending you a PM about the details in the question you pose, taking some folic acid with methyl folate.

But here is a link for everyone to read:

http://tahomaclinicblog.com/folic-acid/

I found a web page with many frustrated patients who had bad experiences with ignorant and arrogant doctors: www.badbugs.org/LabTesting.htm

How do you like this microbiologist's response to a sick person:

"Well, you can make your symptoms match any disease you want to, can't you?"

One of the most interesting and perhaps important claims of that page is that one test is likely to catch only 50% of the parasites. Ten tests are expected to catch 95%. One patient had Giardia diagnosed only after 8 samples.

This is totally depressing! In this day and age... appalling.

The B12 ignorance is endless it seems to me some days, the poor Vit D treatments doctors give after testing...are appalling too. And given they charge an arm and a leg to mess everything up is a double whammy.... totally depressing!

But thanks for the link anyway... we all need to know how ineffectual medicine and testing are today!

Thanks MrsD. Please let me know if you get my reply. The settings confused me a bit. I will resend if I messed up.

It's okay.... I received your PM fine, and sent you a reply!

Thanks so much!

Mrs. D, I am taking now Vit.B12 (methycobalamin) 2500mcg. I am not sure if this should be the right dosage for me. I have bad burning, prickling, stabbing "pins and needles" in both my legs and arms. Sometimes, the sensations in my arms are tolerable but the sensations in my legs remain consistent. The touch of my clothes, even h ow soft, causes so much pain in my skin. My feet, are always painful making it difficult to walk and stand.

My symptoms are not typical as describe by some that it starts in the feet and progresses upward. Mine was simultaneous in my feet, legs and arms.

When I was tested for Vit B12 and Folate Serum (due to another condition) last May 2011, the results were within very comfortable normal range. Since the onset of my neuropathy symtoms last October 2011, I was never tested again. My 2 neurologists just sort of used that May 2011 as the basis.

Did I get you right that there is no overdose of VB12? What is the difference between mcg and mg?

Thank you.

2500mcg = 2.5 milligrams

This is not completely absorbed, orally.

And yes, there is no upper limit set for B12 by the FDA.

If you take it for 3 months and see no improvement at all,
you can assume you don't need it. You can then take it
once or twice a week, to maintain.
You should really get the numbers from your test for a definite
answer.

Not all PNers have low B12 (below 400 US units).

Dr. Sarah Myhill has a nice page on Inflammation with a reference to B12 and Mg:

Related: (CFS and B12) http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/CFS_a...ng_vitamin_B12

New with Questions
 

I was diagnosed with PA earlier this month. My B-12 levels were at 286, and I was suffering from fatigue, exhaustion, depression, and brain fog.

Immediately upon telling me I was b-12 deficient, my Dr started me on 1000 mcg shots, once per week for a month then once per month. That was two weeks ago. I felt great after the first shot, then crashed down before I could take my second shot. Same thing today, feeling like I crashed down (I am suppose to get my shot tonight).

I found this board last week, and after reading about the oral supplement, I add that into my routine this past Saturday. 1000 mcg of Jarrow Methal b-12 as soon as I wake up each morning, then wait an hour before eating.

So my question is: how long should it take before I notice if the oral supplement is working? I am continuing the shots on top of the oral supplements. But my goal is to be able to make it between shots without crashing down. At least that is the goal for right now.

Thanks in advance.

The shots only stay in the blood for 72 hrs tops, then the B12
is gone thru the kidneys etc. Hence the crash.

Taking the oral daily is much more normal. I'd do 5mg orally for the first 3 months. That way you'll get more per dose.

Depending on how long you were low, determines how long to
get better. Many things have to be fixed and stay that way.

If you get tested after 3mons on 5mg oral daily on an empty stomach, you should see levels over 1000 at least.
However tissue repair will take time. Blood levels do not necessarily match repair times.