Update: Doctors Appt yesterday and B vitamins.
 

I had my doctors appt yesterday. I told her about the Gabapentin making me suicidally depressed. She made a note in my chart not to give me that anymore. :eek: I told her about the DX from the Neuro doc and that I'd done some research and was trying the B-vitamin route. She asked if it was working. I was glad to be able to tell her not only was it working but working well. She and the nurse acknowledged that just because blood levels show as normal doesn't always mean much. The proof is in the pudding. And she also is aware that the blood tests used aren't accurate. She asked me how much I was taking and I gave her what I could remember from the complexes and the plain B-12 and the Folic acid, which I did remember. She said that was fine and not a problem. I could take much more than that and not have a problem, apparently.

At any rate, I can say the B-vitamins are really helping! My pain is at about 10% of what it was before I began the vitamins. So maybe that's all it was for me. I say 'all' because I feel like one of the lucky ones. Al ot of you have intense pain that nothing seems to help for long. Having experienced that kind of pain for about 2 years I feel very blessed to have found something that works and found it so quickly.

Wow, Jarrett thats just fantastic news, its wonderfull to read posts like yours.
keep up the good work :)
all the best,
Brian :)

That is wonderful news....
 

I'd recommend adding in fish oil too... you might even pump up those results.

There have been suggestions put forth to the FDA to Black Box Gabapentin, when I was using it my wife suggested discontinuing its use which I did.

Jarrett,

Fabulous. And you have some better informed medical people than the usual.

rose

Boy, am I glad I was reading this particular thread. I just noticed where Mrs. D. said to take Fish Oil. I ran over to Alan and said "where's the Fish Oil?" He had to stop taking it when he began the plavix and aspirin because of his stent. He found it and it said "expiration March of 09".

So tomorrow I begin my fish oil too!!!!!!!!!


Today I spent the day at Cornell. My sugar numbers are just fine. We discussed my neuropathy (they can't do anything because this is a protocol to prevent heart disease in diabetic woman and I just get all test strips and meds and exams for free. I told her about going to the Podiatrist and that my feet went nuts after that. She just said "no, it has nothing to do with his using a vibrating tool, you have neuropathy" She then said "you can discuss this with Dr. Fred and there are meds you can take". I then said:

"Listen, I've been down this road with my husband (she knows the whole story)" " I know all about the neurontin, the lyrica, etc." She responded "NEURONTIN??? for neuropathy???? No good, Lyrica is better, and there is also Elavil"

I responded "yeah, I know all about these meds, what I don't want to do is mask this condition, I want to FIX this condition. I am now taking Methyl B-12 and I pulled out the bottle and showed her. She just said "well, that can't hurt you". Yeah, I know, Doctors and supplements. Not a good mix.

But she was supportive and didn't pooh pooh it too much.

Then I met a person on the access-a-ride who said she had diabetes and neuropathy and she took a supplement (I CANNOT REMEMBER IT, DARN IT). It's two names and theres a BIRCH in there someplace. Anybody have a clue?? I am so stupid, I didn't write it down. This person said she took it for her neuropathy and the pins and needles went away. I even repeated it to myself and then it went clear out of my head. It had an unusual name.
If I hear it again, I'll go BINGO.


Let me tell you, when we have bad days, all I had to do was remember the guy who walked into Cornell today. He must have been in a fire because half his face was burned off and his hands were wrapped. I will never forget that image. So I'll continue to take my Methyl B and now the Fish Oil.

I may turn into a mermaid!!!!!

lol Melody

Jarrett,
I also went to my neuro this week and he said that I am so sensitive to meds, that he recommends I just stay on the B-vitamins and other vitamins for now. They are working so well. I'm also drinking this fortified "milkshake in a can" for diabetics. I'm not diabetic, but I don't tolerate sugar cuz of the Gastric bypass - and the liquid form is easier to absorb. This vitamin route is working beautifully for now (knock on wood and Lord-willing!), so I'm passing on the heavy drugs. It's a good feeling not to be dazed all the time and worried about side effects. Glad to hear you're having decreased pain. That's a major worry. I know that pain is what wears me down (and freaks me out) more than anything. Best wishes!

Liz

I used to take fish oil as part of a weight loss thing related to SSRI's. It worked for that surprisingly. What does it do? Boost the B's?

Yeah, I was surprised about them knowing about the B-12 testing. And this is a little country clinic! :)

Jarrett, Gotta....
 

STILL say, LUV the cat! I don't think a soul here hasn't had that expression at LEAST once!

Also, MORE IMPORTANTLY, you mite even have a savvy doc who is really actually willing to WORK WITH you...rather than ON you? There is a BIG difference, as all the tales here can tell. In the early days of NT, OK I'm gonna find it now....hold on? Got it here it is below....

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...p?t=177&page=2
Mrs D's post there about in the middle of the page... I hope this all info which is mind-boggleing to begin with mite help you out of your own BOGGLE?

Melody? Just read up a bit on the Omegas and Fish oils...don't try to 'overachieve'? Please? I say this because I've experienced two s/e's that can or can-not be issues...depending on where you are physically.
The first is, that, well, foodstuffs can 'exit' quite rapidly if you have too much.. AND I MEAN RAPIDLY...unless you have quick access to a commode it can be more than embarrassing. Second is if one takes too much of some brands...one acquires a ...well--'fishy smell' about them? And I don't mean just anchovies here! That's been my experience at least, and rite now I'm searching for a balance between the omegas and all the extra calcium, D's and magnesiums I'm trying to force feed myself... Be forewarned? I can be downright mortifying unless you know.... Hugs to all!!! - j

Fish oil
 

Fish oil was used years ago, another one of those don't do it like B12.
Now they have a script that costs a fortune,ha!! It we help you believe me
and good for you. More Drs. good ones in little towns like b12 why they
could that not everything has to be absolute..Good for you and your Dr.
I know i staying on both..

Nurse girl that drink is a life saver,when i go out it goes with me. :hug:
To you both . Sue

Sue is one smart person...
 

tho sometimes talks in an obtuse manner...that's her way...

She is right tho... - j

Apparently, Evening Primrose Oil is supposed to help with PN from diabetes from what I'm reading.
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/e...%20Indications

Maybe something will jog your memory. Then I can look into it too! :)

Dahlek:

You said "I say this because I've experienced two s/e's that can or can-not be issues...depending on where you are physically."


Okay, you got me!!! What is s/e's???

Mel

Melody...
 

SIDE-EFFECT!....usually those one doesn't appreciate..

Be blunt? Calcium = possible Constipation.
Fish OIL = possible 'opposite of' Constipation...

Too much Fish Oil? Much 'opposite' of Constipation...as in more than VERY!

Need I be clearer..and still be politically correct these days?

You would really, REALLY need to wash your knickers ASAP in such adverse situations! - j

We are NOT talking about JUST passing gas here!

:icon_lol: Oh my!

Calcium does cause me constipation problems. Never had much of a problem with fish oil though.

dalek how sweet
 

Jarette that was interesting,now that a new one on me,
Just go a little light on the fish oil but very good for your inners.
Or Dahlek is right as well perhaps your outers! :D Sue

Maybe taking the fish oil with the calcium would balance things out?

fish oil...
 

has anti-inflammatory actions, and also provides the fats to repair nerve
myelin sheaths. It raises HDLs and is good for the skin, cardiovascular system, prevents depression.

I just found a bottle of Evening Primrose Oil. It's still good.

Can I take that, plus the fish oil, plus the METHYL B???

My god, I can open up my own vitamin store!!!

Melody

Evening primrose has
 

been studied in diabetics as useful. I find high dose to be very laxative however, so start with lower doses.

I never have a problem with fish oil however, and I am very sensitive to laxatives. So everyone is different.

Take the oils with food, and the methyl B12 on empty stomach. B12 needs no competitors in the GI tract for best absorption (since it is in microgram amounts)

The oils are basically food..unless you get carried away and take tons of them.

I have a question. I have been reading about how B-12 is given in micrograms and if you take, for example 1000 micrograms, you are only absorbing (well, I forget the exact amount) but you are not absorbing 1000 micrograms. I also read that in Europe, they treat people with 36,000 micrograms A DAY!!

If this is true, how come the makers of B-12 either methyl, or cyano, only put 50 or 60 mcgs? I don't understand.

Why isn't there more 1000 mcgs in bottles (even if it's cyano or the other one, there's a third B-12, not cyano and not B-12, it's a long name. What is the difference by the way?

Also and here's the big question. Why don't they make a B-12 pill that has 1 mg?? Maybe they do??????

thanks for any info

Melody

Ahhh! OK, I'll be adding that then too!

Melody
 

Maybe I can help a little bit – As you know from Rose’s B12 site and many posts throughout the forum Vitamin B12 has multiple forms including cyano-, hydroxo-, adenosyl- or 5’-deoxyadenosyl-, and methylcobalamin. The liver does not convert sufficient amounts of cyanocobalamin (the most common form) to therapeutically useful levels of methylcobalamin, the active form found in the CNS. Among the many benefits of methylcobalamin it helps lower plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and is also key for the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and it is critical for nerve health, repair, and regeneration. Up to ~90% of methylcobalamin can be absorbed when taken sublingually although absorption also depends on levels of your intrinsic co-factor as well. I'll let other forum members more well versed than I am elaborate further.

As to your ? ~1mg B12 pills - I think that since the daily requirements are listed as mcg the suppliers list the strengths in mcg as well. However, the conversions are very easy and should help somewhat
1000ug or mcg (microgram) = 1mg (miligram)
1000mg = 1g (gram)
1000g = 1Kg (kilogram)
1000Kg = 1MT (metric tonne) - a lot
You can really get carried away with this since
1000pcg (picogram) = 1ng
1000ng (nanogram) = 1ug or mcg

Hope this helps not hinders.
Alkymst

Alkymst:

Wow, nano grams. I don't think I'll ever be taking that!!!!

I do thank you for the chemistry lesson. Reminds me of when I was in high school and the nun in the front of the room asked a question about sulfur dioxide and I opened my mouth and said something out loud and she said (and she never even turned around from the blackboard), she said: "will the idiot who just shouted out that answer sit down and shut up".

I never forgot that.

lol
Melody

It makes me happy that people seem to like kitty. That's how I truly feel some days.

Everything in moderation. Might take a bit longer to be effective but there's also less chance for sides, IMO. Think of it this way, everything you do, add, etc, is a change for your body. If it's too rapid a change it can cause problems.

Dahlek:

I never laughed so hard in all my life. You are SO RIGHT ABOUT THE FISH OIL!!!I took my B complex this morning, along with my shot of insulin and, for the first time, I took a fish oil pill. For the record, the bottle says: "Natural Fish Oil Concentate 1000 mg (which equals 1 gram, right??).

Well, for the past 2 hours, I never went to the bathroom so much in my life. I only took one pill for god's sake. Should I buy a smaller version of this stuff. I mean, jeeez, I feel really thin, right now. lol AND THE DOSAGE SAYS TO TAKE ONE PILL AT EACH MEAL!!!!!!! Are they for real???

What happened was this afternoon I went to the laundromat and I forgot to eat lunch. I go home at 3 p.m. and felt shaky. I said to myself "uh oh, check your sugar (it was 110 this morning which is fine). Well, at 3 p.m. it was 60. I immediately had lunch which was a can of water packed tuna on my lettuce and tomato greens, and a small muffin with a cup of coffee. I was starving.

Well, in 30 minutes, let's just say, I FELT THIN!!! And since I already went this morning (like I usually do after breakfast), let's just say THIS WAS A SURPRISE!!!!. It reminded me of al those years when I was taking metformin. I never got out of the bathroom. Once I switched to the Lantus,well all was forgiven. All was normal.

Jeez, never knew fish oil does that to you. I don't think I'll do this again tomorrow.

lol

Melody

Melody SO2 huh
 

sorry for your HS chemistry experience - too bad - chemistry is difficult enough w/out having such experiences to really turn people off.

For myself, I couldn't find the physics department meeting as freshman in college - it had been moved twice and was now all the way across campus, so I was wandering about replete w/ the obligatory beannie cap (this will date me for sure) when the chairman of the chemistry department saw me and invited me to sit and listen to his "spiel". I changed majors the next day - the chairman of the physics department was stunned - I hadn't declared a major yet so he couldn't understand how I could change one - never looked back since.
alkymst

I really wish I would have went to college.

When you WANT to learn, it's a whole new meaning.

Ah, maybe when I'm 65.

Melody

Melody its never too late for college. Even if you take a class here and there. You also look so young by your picture. Anyhow I have the opposite problem as I have constipation. My nutritionist always says how the healthy oils in fish oil and flax help to lubricate and move things a long. For you guys it just may take your body a few days to get used to it. Also I have fish oil 1200mg that is 2 pills so you could break it up and it may be easier on the system.
By the way jarrett I love the cat too. The eyes are so unusual.

If the US had gone metric...
 

when it was supposed to I'd have to have learned compensation skills galore!
Alkymst, thanks for this 'cheat sheet'!

As for some B-12 only being sold in small 'doses', maybe it's a marketing thing? I've had no problem finding 1000 doses of the sublingual at all.

As for the fish oils, be sure you get a really good quality. Sometimes buying in bulk can work, but at other times, well, in addition to it helping 'clear out' your system, with some brands one can acquire a well, sort of 'fishy smell'. As much as I love the sea, not on or in me, thank you! Mrs D & rose, well, you both have educated me to the point I'm actually beginning to understand this stuff! There have been times I've felt I would never GET IT! Whew!

Melody, glad you 'got lighter' while at home tho...best place to be under the circumstances.

Jarrett's right tho, like anything start out slow and work your way up to that comfortable balance. Each of us is different and each of us have quirks that either help or complicate everything.

If there were any quick and easy fixes tho, would we be here? Wishing just one pain-free moment to each and all. - j

Mel
 

Bad nun!!!:( :( That was not nice..I believe you would do very welll
in College. Let Alan go to the gym,you go further your education,your
already very bright in moore ways then one and a joy!! :) Happy 27th
:hug: :hug: :hug: Sue

Hi melody,

I had better luck with the enteric coated fish oil. Dont know why but its better for me. This was after learning where all the restrooms are in L.A. :eek:

well...
 

I really have not heard of this laxative action, esp with only one fish oil...

I had a patient taking 13 of those a day..and he had no problem.
(his doctor put him on that for an autoimmune kidney inflammation..based on
a study from China).

I have however, had looseness from strong Evening primrose supplements.

There is only one gram in that fish oil... not much.
I have had people (myself included) get loose from olive oil, esp Extra Virgin, if it is too liberal on a salad. In Italy they use a tablespoonful of Extra Virgin for
a laxative sometimes. I had a kid with a kidney transplant once whose mom wanted a gentle laxative (I was leaning toward sorbitol sweetener in dietetic candies---but Grandma from Sicily won out with her olive oil! ).
Sugar free PEZ landed my son in the can for almost 1/2 a day once! Beware sorbitol in sugar free candies!

Yes, Mel, I remember the Metformin effects too... not pleasant!

Ugh. Sorbitol, I won't go near it. Worse than Miralax for me.
And I won't go near the fish oil again. This morning (I just came back from coffee at Dunkin Donuts (that's my Sunday morning indulgence and I was supposed to meet up with Alan, getting off his nigh watchman shift (he only works fri nights and Saturday nights). Well he calls me at 8:30 a.m. and says "the person never relieved me, so I called in and they want me to do a double shift". I said "is your foot alright (it did look fine yesterday when I checked it), and he said "oh, I'm fine, don't worry". So he'll do an extra shift. And I'll pamper him when he comes home and he can stay off his feet until next friday night. He goes back to podiatrist next thursday.

Soon as I came home, I did MY THING, like I do every morning after my cup of morning coffee. Nice and normal, thank goodness.

And Mrs. D. You knew a person WHO TOOK 13 FISH OILS IN ONE DAY! ? I would be in the hospital. I would also be 50 lbs lighter. my oh my!!!!

NOW I HAVE TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT STATIC ELECTRICITY. I have no idea if this relates to my having PN but I have to tell you guys what happened and if any of you can explain this phenomenon to me, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Two weeks ago, a brand new laundromat opened up near me. I went the first time. When I finished washing the clothes I put them in the big dryer that they have. When it was all finished, I put my hands in to take out my clothes, and I touched the inside of the machine. I got shocked. I touched my clothes, I got shocked. I kept getting shocked. I started yelling "jeez, why am I getting shocked." Now I know what static electricity is, for example, you walk across a rug, touch a handle on a door and you get a shock, I assume we have all had that happen to us once in a while.

There was no rug in this store. I did not use any dryer sheets (like Bounce for example), nor did I use fabric softner in my wash. Just regular Tide or a facsimile.

So after that first experience, I chalked it up to a random thing.

WELL, YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN.!! I put my clothes in the dryer. I dry my clothes. (I forgot what previously happened with the shocking thing) and I reached in and BAM, I got a shock. I immediately called the lady who owns the laundromat who is chinese and speaks no english whatsoever and I'm trying to show her what a shock feels like and she burst out laughing. She then puts her hands in the machine (she got no shock), she touches my clothes (she got no shock). I then accidentaly (I was wearing my blue denim jacket), I accidentally brushed up against the machine and BAM, I got a shock.

Now this is no joke!!!! Why am I getting shocked??? I just got off the phone with my friend and I told her the story and she said "the machines are not grounded properly". She's married to an electrician. Now I have no idea if they are grounded properly or IF I'M JUST A PERSON WHO IS ELECTRIC.!!!

This morning, I went to buy the dryer sheets and next time, I'll put two of these dryer sheets in the dryer and we'll see what happens.

I know I have a bubbly personality but ELECTRIC???? jeez...

Anybody else have this happen to them??????

Melody

I'm not an electrician
 

Melody -
but I sure never got a shock from a clothes dryer. That machine should be checked out. I know you need the big size dryer, but could you use two smaller ones for a while so that you don't keep getting shocked? I have had static electricity shocks and also shocks from machines with problems, so I know the difference. The real shock is quite a wrench. Yeowie!

This machine should be checked before someone gets hurt bad or there are legal problems for the shop owners.

Shirley H.

Usually those problems are because the entire building is not grounded correctly or at all to the water pipe, especially if it was done as a do it your selfer.

Halleluhah!!!!! I thought it was my PN affecting my nerve receptors or something like that!!!!!

Now how silly is that????

lol Melody