I have been taking vitamin B12 for about 8 months. First through injections then sublingually. I feel I have been doing much better with my relentless fatigue issues. Other than SA I have Primary CNS hypersonia, RLS, PLMD, Degenerative Disc Disease causing several herniated discs & nerve damage in both the Cervical and Lumbar Spine, Fibromyalgia plus other conditions that have fatigue as a symptom. All my synptoms add up to MS but since I do not have anything show up on MRI's in regards to the nerve sheath being damaged, my Neuro says that he has to keep an eye on it but can not Dx MS. A common day for me consisted of an 11 to 14 hour nights sleep and having to nap every waking hour or two for at least 30 minutes, without restorative sleep. Today I am still in a fog but no longer a total Zombie. I attribute the change partially to the B12.
My B12 levels were not out of range however they were on the low side…so my Dr. started the injections. Within 4 days I was napping less and no longer using the TV remote control to turn off the outside after I was finished looking out a window ( a typical automatic behavior that I would do).
Another thing to keep in mind is that the US uses different ranges than most of the rest of the world…my B12 would have been deficient if I lived elsewhere. I have also read studies that show people in their early to mid 60’s whose B12 was in the mid range of 500 showed early signs of dementia.
This article was in the Bottom Line health Publication Volume22 Number 6, June 2008
Bottom Line Health is a subscription based periodical that does not allow any advertising and is filled with the most current research on health issues. The information it provides is well researched by a team of medical professionals and is not given to gain a profit.
Due to the length of the article and not wanting to infringe on any thing I will try to shorten it but still get the info across.
The Epidemic of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
Are you needlessly suffering memory loss, depression or other serious ailments?
Bottom Line Health Interviewed Sally M Pacholok, RN and Jeffrey J. Stuart, DO, Co-Authors of Could It Be B-12. Sally studied B-12 deficiency for 20 years and Dr Stuart is board-certified in emergency medicine.
Millions of Americans suffer tingling, numbness or pain in their hands or feet…dizziness…balance problems…depression….and/or memory loss because they are deficient in B-12. Low levels of B12 can raise the risk of heart disease. Many so-called symptoms of aging, both physical and mental actually could be the result of B12 deficiency.
B12 is needed to maintain the layers of tissues, called the myelin sheath, that insulate each nerve cell. We need only a tiny amount of the vitamin each day. Since B12 is readily stored by the body, Dr.s have long assumed that deficiency is rare. But, a complex process must occur before B12 can do its job. If there is a problem with the process a dangerous deficiency can result.
When a lack of B12 impairs the nervous system, a variety of problems can result, including weakness, dizziness, and tremor…all which can be mistaken for signs of neurological disorders, such as Parkinsons, MS, vertigo or neuropathy.
B12 deficiency can also affect how you think, feel and act, resulting in irritability, apathy, confusion, forgetfulness,…even serious depression, dementia, paranoia and/or hallucinations. It can lead to symptoms sometimes mistaken for Alzheimer’s.
The cardiovascular system can also be affected. B12 along with B 6 and folic acid plays a key roll in the breakdown of homocysteine, a naturally occurring amino acid. Elevated levels of homocysteine damage blood vessels and promote the build up of fatty deposits in the arteries. It increases heart disease, heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the lungs and/or extremities.
Also linked to B12 deficiency:
Breast Cancer ( John Hopkins study), Infections & osteoporosis.
Some Risk Factors:
Reduced production of stomach acids which is needed to absorb B12.
Autoimmune conditions including…Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Thyroid disease, type 1 Diabetes, Crohn’s, and Celiac, Gastric Bypass Surgery and those using heartburn drugs.
Getting the Right Test:
When Drs order a complete blood count (CBC), they look for acrostic anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are abnormally large. This can be a sign of B12 deficiency. BUT in people who take supplements that contain folic acid…as do most multi vitamins…blood test results may appear normal even when there is a B12 deficiency. (Folic Acid can mask a deficiency.) A blood test that specifically measures B12 also is available. However, this is not always accurate…it has a wide “normal” range and can be inconsistent in its sensitivity.
The most sensitive B12 test measures the amount of methylmalonic acid (MMA) in the urine. Because B12 plays a key role in the production of MMA, results of this test can conclusively diagnose or rule out B12 deficiency.
The MMA test needs to be rechecked 3 month after starting B12 to see if it is effective. If you are low on b12 it is also wise to have a homosyteine blood test before treatment.
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BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.