I don't know alot about ferritin/iron, but from what I've learned from those who do, 20 is a dismal level... bottom of range. I believe optimal is more like 40-60.

Now, high iron can be dangerous... but high is over 80.

Hi again!
Yes from what i read my ferritin is pretty low, and needs to be up dramatically, that's why I was surprised when I got my level up to 20 she told me to stop my supplements, the moment I did I went back to the fatigue, shortness of breath etc. So I told her I was going to continue taking them and that I would get my level tested every 3 months or so to make sure it was at a safe level.
I will make sure when I get my ferritin checked, she does my b12 as well.

Thanks again!

jane

Hello Jane,

Yes, I have had dozens and dozens of symptoms for many years but never put the dots together: on the other hand, neither did several MD's and two neurologists. "Oh, she had serious cervical spine issues. Schedule her for surgery in three days!" ... or ... "She has brain lesions and brain atrophy; send her immediately to the multiple sclerosis neurologist!" ... Yes, both those statements were said by doctors. What literally saved me was the last neurologist who after ruling out MS because of the types of lesions on my brain said, kind of as an afterthought, "Nancy, have you had your B12 checked?" That was in February. I was called by the neurologist's office and told to RUN to a hospital or lab and get a B12 shot because my level was 68. I began reading reading reading. If you can believe this, a fifth doctor had told me the WRONG kind of B12 to take so it was a little while before I started the methyl version and dibencozide. My tests, about 8 weeks apart went like this: 68; 820; 1750 and counting. I'm due for another test later this month. Obviously with such a low level, there was considerable damage done. I'm getting better but it is two steps forward; one step back; over and over. Keep reading and investigating and don't give up until you have the answers you need. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and I'm standing in it right now!

Hey pearlgirl
That's crazy all that you have gone through!! Have your symptoms gone away now that you have raised your b12 levels or are you still having problems on and off?

Thanks for sharing your story with me! Although I wouldn't wish this on anyone, it is reassuring that I'm not alone in this one!

Jane

And remember... getting the level up can happen quickly... but healing takes place over months to years if nerves were damaged and need to repair.

Found another reference to nitrous oxide while checking something out for someone else:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1171558-overview

~

hehehe... the persecutary delusions come from doctors not knowing how to identify and treat B12 deficiency...

Wow! I cannot thank you enough for all you have posted here!!! I will keep in mind that it will take time for symptoms to disappear.
I have to go for a colonoscopy in sept where they are putting me out, I hope that they dont use nitrous oxide for this
but now that I have read all this great information, I will be more aware this time!

Thanks again!

Hi Jane, Yes I still have symptoms and as was stated here, even though my serum levels have gone way up, the damage was done for many years; maybe decades. Nerve damage is slow to hearl, if at all. My neurologist said that what might happen is that over time I just learn to compensate - in other words I'll never be the same. But that's ok, I'm still hoping for the best! Good luck to you, Jane, and keep your chin up!

thanks pearlgirl! im sorry you still suffer, i hope you find healing with time! thanks for telling me your story!

thanks for all this great information!

hi Pearl,
I just wanted to say, I have a friend who the same kind of animia... sorry can never remember that P word

Anyway, she gets vitamin shots ever two weeks. Has been getting them since she was dx 20 years ago. I don't know if you are getting shots or not but you may want to talk to your dr about that. Just a suggestion.

And Jane: Hi there! I wanted to let you know that I totally sympathize with having an idiot for a dr. Oddly the dr who dx me with the b12 def was the same dr who wasn't treating the condition properly. She calls me, tells me that low b12 is very serious and can cause brain damage. But then when I go back the 3rd time asking her for b12 shots because I am still feeling terrible, she says... "1000 mcg should be enough" and then she says "the only symptom you have from b12 is your fatiqu, you shaking is sounds mental to me and you should see a therapist"

And she was talking to me like I was a hypocondriac. This was after only 3 visits. I walked out of her office, and a few weeks later I found a new dr. I got very lucky that time and found a dr who was well educated on this condition. Was practically quoting things that I read on this website! lol

find a new dr... fighting with your current dr isn't worth it, It will only cause more stress and right now your body doesn't need anymore stress.