[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by aneczka

Thanks. My GP ordered another test and was mentioning B12 shots, because, according to her, B12 pills don't work. Maybe she is not aware of the different B12 forms. At least she is aware of the damage B12 deficiency may cause. I will start taking methylcobalamin anyway immediately after the blood test and I'm very curious about my current B12 levels.

Great. Give it some time. I bet your levels will rise. My last level was 2000. Who knew about these things. I had to come to these forums to learn what I now know to be true.

And here's a good one for you. Years ago, I was at the podiatrists office. I usually get Dr. B. That day, Dr. B was not available so Dr. S took over. He was doing my husband's feet and I mentioned to him that I take Methyl B-12 every morning for my neuropathy which became un-symptomatic. The doctor looked at me and said "Melody, I would NEVER prescribe B-12 for anyone unless they were severely anemic". I looked at him and said "Oh Really", then I began to slowly and carefully and POLITELY explain what Methyl B-12 does for people with diabetic neuropathy and people with deficiencies in B-12.

He looked at me and said' "That's a lot of nonsense". I said nothing

Exactly one year later, Alan and I are at Dr. B's and we are sitting in his office and Dr. S pops in and says "Hi there, can you tell me all you know about Methyl B-12 and neuropathy, because I just got diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy"

A doctor asked ME about B-12. Of course I gave him what I knew.

Hah!!!! that's all I have to say

lol

Melody

[aneczka]

I don't wish anything bad on anyone, but maybe some doctors would change their attitude, if they got things themselves ..

[aneczka]

Are there any scenarios where oral methylcobalamin could not be absorbed? I'm asking in case my GP decides to give me shots.

[mrsD]

If you take oral B12 with food, absorption is not good.

So it should be taken on an empty stomach and wait an hour before eating.

1000mcg yields about 13mcg absorbed passively (if there is a problem with intrinsic factor). It should be taken daily...and will show good levels within 3 months depending. Severely deficient people will have low levels in brain and spinal cord, and this takes time to rebuild. The bone marrow takes alot at first too.
Then the liver will store some of each dose as well.

Methylcobalamin is preferred in case you have the DNA polymorphism mutation and cannot activate cyano form.

[aneczka]

Here is a b12 story I need to share with you, because it is a happy story and with it I'd like to thank you all for your support. I think I'm making a huge leap forward, thanks to you.

My new GP had a patient diagnosed by numerous neurologists with neuropathy. Both her hands were severely affected, she couldn't use them. Her B12 level was 80, but the neurologists didnt seem to bother much about it. My GP gave her weekly B12 shots and, neuropathy or not neuropathy, the poor woman is completely sound and well now.

There is hope people! Don't trust anyone who tells you simply there is nothing to be done. Probably there is always something to be done.

I've had my first shot (hydroxy B12, 1 mg) today. 6 hours before that I took 2000 µg methylcobalamin orally, although not on empty stomach. I should be saturated with this stuff by now I'm really curious how this will act on me. Both my hands look like a skeleton up to the elbows, almost no muscles left. But I hope at least to prevent damage to my other body parts.

My doc told me healthy B12 levels, according to her are 1000-1200 and I should strive to have 1000. I think I'm lucky to have found her, apparently not every doc would tell you that.

I'm changing my mood to hopeful.

[mrsD]

This is good. Keep in mind though that your path to healing may be slow. Some people get functions back. Some get partial functions back, and some less so. It all depends on how long you were low. So remain patient.

[aneczka]

My new doc, sound as she seems to be, of course, didn't promise me anything, just told me to wait and see. First, we are waiting for my new B12 readings. I've done the blood test today (before the shot, of course, and before taking the pills), I'll have the results on Thursday. Once we see my levels, we will decide how often we will inject. Until then, she doesn't want me to take the B12 pills. I think I will just wait and talk to her then. And to you here also

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by aneczka

My new doc, sound as she seems to be, of course, didn't promise me anything, just told me to wait and see. First, we are waiting for my new B12 readings. I've done the blood test today (before the shot, of course, and before taking the pills), I'll have the results on Thursday. Once we see my levels, we will decide how often we will inject. Until then, she doesn't want me to take the B12 pills. I think I will just wait and talk to her then. And to you here also

Take the pills. I wouldn't be without them.

The other day at Dunkin Donuts, I was sitting and chatting with friends and this 75 year old lady blurts out "Oh guess what happened to my friend the other day, she had pains in her feet and she went to her doctor and she was diagnosed with Diabetic Neuropathy and her doctor gave her a B-12 shot"

I looked at her and said "And what happened after that" She said "that was that, just one shot"

I immediately wrote down all about Methyl B-12 and my experience and now the lady is ACTUALLY getting the help she needs.

Good Lord, these doctors don't know anything

Mel