jccgf, you copied and pasted reasons for b12 deficiencies"-N 2 O exposure can occur iatrogenically (ie, anesthesia)"

could someone explain this quote further to me? i had surgery in may and was put under does this cause a b12 deficiency or create symptoms?

sorry for the confusion, i was just re-reading this great info and came accross this.

jane

I use Jarrow Brand Methylcobalamin B12, that you put under your tongue. I think it is probably more important to get the methylcobalamin type of B12, rather than cyanocobalmin, rather than whether it is sublingual or not.... at least this is the message I think I've heard from Rose and MrsD. Just found this thread here on B12 by MrsD:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread85103.html

Having said that, when I began supplementing I took Nature Made cyanocobalamin, 1000mcg daily, in regular pill form, extended release formula, and my level came up and I improved. I've also heard you shouldn't take extended release either, because you want all the bang for your buck at one time...so to speak... so that the 1-2% will be passively absorbed. Methylcobalamin is thought to work better, and for a few people who have trouble in the 'conversion/transport process' it is imperative that they take the active form. I switched over to methylcobalamin when I learned of it. I usually order from Iherb.com , but I have seen Jarrow brand in some better vitamin stores. I've used just about every brand without great preference (Country Life, Solgar, Natural Factors, Source Naturals).


From what I think I remember, a single use of nitrous oxide during surgery can cause a sudden B12 deficiency situation. I'll try to find more on that.

I can probably something better than this, but I'm sitting down to dinner... and this is what google brought me. Also got many hits on pub med by entering nitrous oxide B12 deficiency. Try entering the terms here:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/

From: The Neurological Manifestations of Gastrointestinal Disease by Mark Skeen, MD.
Neurologic Clinics
Volume 20 € Number 1 € February 2002

Thanks so much for this information!!!

I had wisdom teeth removal at the beginning of May where they put me out. And yes a few weeks after the surgery I started feeling worse. This is when I started searching online. I've been with low ferritin for more than a year, but just recently begged my dr. to test my b12, since developing electric shock like symptoms in my upper back going up into my head.

I will start supplements and see if they help. I will watch my symptoms closely and still try to get her test for other conditions to see if there is something tied to the low ferritin readings and the b12 reading.

I cannot thank you enough for your advice and wealth of information!

jane

Jane, you're welcome, and good luck!

I sort of come and go here... lately been drawn back by "B12 talk"... if you have any other questions about B12 deficiency or gluten sensitivity that I might be able to help with.. feel free to pm me. I get notifications on pm's but might miss a post.

...and kudos to you for getting online and researching your symptoms, asking for a B12 test, and then doing your own follow up!!! That seems to be what it takes to these days... and thank goodness for the Internet and health forums... the "medical underground" I like to call it!

a big thank you!!!! and yes im soo thankful for forums like these, it really helps sort out so much that is out there!

i will let you know if i have any other questions, but again thanks for posting all this information!

jane

hi pearl girl,
wow sounds like you have gone through many many symptoms. i hope you are now finding relief. my level is at 296 but from what i read here and elsewhere it's too low.
how long did you have symptoms before being diagnosed? my numbness comes and goes as do the electric shocks, so this is why i wasn't sure if it was connected to vitamin b12 or something like MS.
your level was very low!!, wow i hope you are starting to see improvements! what is your level at now?

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...