Originally Posted by txgal51

Hi, I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy following an EMG the end of March 2010. All my blood work was normal except for a B12 of 190. (I had to insist that my neurologist even run a B12 test on me--he said he didn't think I could have a low B12 since I maintain a good diet.) My neurologist told me that 190 was not low, and I would not benefit from treatment with B12 injections. My husband and I insisted that a value of 190 was low and the neurologist begrudingly gave us a prescription for B12 injections. My husband fortunately was able to give me the injections at home. I started B12 injections as well as oral supplements on April 7. I also started acupuncture the same week. The burning in my legs was horrific. I screamed all night and cried all day. I had pain in my thighs as well. I could not sleep and was prescribed Ambien. I was able to sleep with the Ambien but also got very depressed while on the Ambien and quit eating, thus losing over 10 lbs in short order. I was then prescribed Paxil. I was spiraling down very fast and not wanting to live if I had to have this pain all my life and take all kinds of drugs to control the pain. However, by week five on the injections, supplements, and acupuncture my body finally began to rally. The burning and pain in my legs stopped and now the numbness in my feet and hands is almost completely gone. I was fortunate to have a wonderful support group of family and friends who prayed for me daily and I know that God has answered all our prayers.

I tell everyone I meet now to have their B12 checked. I am 58 years old and in good health. I have been treated for hypothyroidism for over 30 years and I now know there is a link between thyroid disease and malabsorption of B12. I also used Pepcid fairly regularly and had a high intake of caffeine every day, all of which prevent the absorption of B12. I have taken alcohol, sugar, and caffeine out of my diet.

Please do not let your doctor tell you that B12 is not a factor. Have your B12checked. I had to plead with my neurologist to even check mine and then plead with him to treat me with B12 injections. If you are below 500 demand to be treated. Now two months after being diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy I feel that I am about 90% recovered. Don't let them tell you your PN is idiopathic. Keep reading and doing research, be a strong advocate for your own health. If I had not done all this detective work myself regarding B12 I would be bed bound by now, on Lyrica, Paxil, and Ambien every day because my doctor said I was pretty much doomed and encouraged me to take all these medications.

The supplement I have been using is Nerve Support Formula which I purchased on Amazon because shipping is free. This treats neuropathy, no matter what is causing it. You have to take it consistently at fairly high doses for at least two months to get benefit. Their consultants are available all day to talk to you and help you individually. I think the combination of B12 oral supplements, injections, and acupuncture has pretty much healed me and I want to share my story with everyone. I am happy to communicate with anyone on this topic. There is help out there.

Originally Posted by Cliffman

Where did you get the injections once you had a prescription in hand? Also, how frequently did you inject.

Thanks,

Cliffman

Originally Posted by Sarge

There have been no credible test results known to me that even suggest that injections of Methylcobalamin (Methyl B-12) produce more effective results than a suitable oral regimen. Yarrow Formulas puts out a chewable, taken once a day on an empty stomach, in the dosage of 5000 mcg. Don't let that # scare you away, as the body is disposed to tolerate greater levels than lower, not to mention the logistical convenience of oral over the steps necessarily involved with injections.

I supplement this daily with another Yarrow complex named B-Right, maybe due to my "old school" belief that larger doses of a single B, prove ultimately more effective when taken in concert with a good B complex. Both are available through Amazon.com or other online venues that fellow members would be more than happy to suggest.

Wishing continued turn-around good luck.

Originally Posted by Sarge

There have been no credible test results known to me that even suggest that injections of Methylcobalamin (Methyl B-12) produce more effective results than a suitable oral regimen. Yarrow Formulas puts out a chewable, taken once a day on an empty stomach, in the dosage of 5000 mcg. Don't let that # scare you away, as the body is disposed to tolerate greater levels than lower, not to mention the logistical convenience of oral over the steps necessarily involved with injections.

I supplement this daily with another Yarrow complex named B-Right, maybe due to my "old school" belief that larger doses of a single B, prove ultimately more effective when taken in concert with a good B complex. Both are available through Amazon.com or other online venues that fellow members would be more than happy to suggest.

Wishing continued turn-around good luck.

Originally Posted by mrsD

Sarge, the company you are describing is JARROW (not Yarrow).
It is one of the first who offered oral methylcobalamin and at one time was only available on iherb.com

Today we have other suppliers which are at Puritan's Pride, Costco and Walgreens and perhaps other local places. In the old days, over a decade ago we were only able to get it online.

I tested out the Puritan's myself, and at 5mg a day reached a blood level of 1999 (the top of the calibration range).

And as I mentioned before, if the MTHFR mutation is present, then one needs the methylfolate also.

We are rather fortunate that in some ways repairing B12 levels is fairly simple, now, and inexpensive. Information changes, new studies come out, and like most medical things, are not cast in stone. Still doctors may cling to their old therapeutic manuals, which were printed before 2003. The AAFP link I provide gives new medical information targeting doctors, in 2003 and still people cling to the "old ways".

I personally think once a month shots are artificial. We evolved getting our B12
orally from food. When that fails (due to low acid in the stomach or damaged intrinsic factor), then high dose oral is the next best thing IMO. A study I provided earlier shows that 1000mcg oral yields about 13mcg absorbed into the blood.(the remainder is excreted in the stool. This is about 2.5 times the RDA. Injectables only last in the blood for 72 hours, and the excess is excreted, since only minute micrograms can be handled at a time by the systems in the tissues. The same study showed 145mcg in the blood following an injection of 1000mcg. So people getting injections do not all get lasting benefits that way. If you read the whole B12 thread you will find those people who didn't do well on injectable ALONE.