B12 Connections

[Gambit62]

Just thought I'd share some things that have happened in the past week.

Went to visit some neighbours when I was growing up - parents generation - that I hadn't spoken to since May when I was in a right state before I started supplementing for myself as wasn't getting anywhere really with the usual regime. Main reason for going was to share some stuff on how some MS sufferers have responded to B12 treatment as the wife has suffered from MS for year. It was actually good to be somewhere where the sort of problems I faced when the B12 was really bad were understood and appreciated, which is the bit that I really wanted to share. Think she will probably go back to her doctor and talk about trying B12 to see if it has any impact though by the sound of it she did try it years ago. Also talking there were a few other connections that might be having B12 problems so they listened with interest while I went of on my spiel ... and she remarked on how well I was looking and how my hair has thickened up ...

The other thing was this morning when a friend visited. She has been having problems for years digesting fat and went to see the GP a few weeks ago after a particularly bad incident only to get no joy so on the recommendation of some friends who use a holiday cottage they own she contacted an alternative therapist who (after looking at various samples) has recommended a course of B12 and Zinc to see if that eases what is obviously a long term (and as her mother suffered as well) hereditary problem. Talked a bit about the role B12 plays in breaking down homocysteine - don't know if that's related to what she is suffering from but it was all very interesting.

[Secondchance]

Yes that's interesting. Everyone has been commenting how well I look, how energetic and enthusiastic I seem compared to other work colleagues. My husband says I am back to the way I was when in my 20's so I'm not quite sure how I have been for the past 20 years! Certainly not energetic, which I thought was to do with being the wrong side of 40. B12 is amazing stuff. I am quite sure my GP and others think it is a placebo and to be honest I don't care as I know how different I feel and that effect continues so it is a damn good placebo to keep things going for nearly 6 months now!!!

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Secondchance]

Totally agree with you on the placebo ... though think that too many of us actually feel that way for it to be totally down to the placebo effect.

[Secondchance in reply to Gambit62]

Yes I know, I don't believe for a moment that it is a placebo for the effect to have been so profound and long-standing. At first I was annoyed with GP and also the neurologist who thought it was a "coincidence" that neurological symptoms resolved with B12 injections! Then I decided to just think stuff it, they can believe what they like, I feel better and I am going to continue B12 no matter what. I will continue to try my best to educate but some people are closed to it. The evidence (I am quite sure) will emerge in due course.

[shaws in reply to Secondchance]

That's very interesting and these are a couple of links:

womensinternational.com/con...

Extract:

Growing evidence supports the importance of B12 with regard to hormone balance, in that many of the disorders associated with a hormone imbalance are also associated with a vitamin B12 deficiency. Without adequate B12, overall health is compromised in fundamental ways.

One of the reasons people become deficient in vitamin B12 is that, with age, the digestive system gradually loses its ability to produce hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for releasing vitamin B12 from food. Dr. Mercola suggests that "If you're over 50, it's safe to assume you are not absorbing vitamin B12 at an optimal level."

Another link:

progressivehealth.com/b12-t...

Extract:

How Vitamin B12 Deficiency is related to Hypothyroidism

Many people suffering from hypothyroidism are prescribed thyroid hormone replacement or other thyroid drugs. Of the two thyroid hormones, T3 is widely regarded to be clinically more effective than T4. However, even with T3 replacement, some patients do not fully recover from the symptoms of their deficiency.

Recent clinical data now show that the reason for this is vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B12 deficiency worsens hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, both deficiencies can go unnoticed and they can be difficult to diagnose.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to shaws]

Thanks - very interesting - especially seeing that the first group is focused on PMS - In the last few years I've had increasing problems with anxiety in the few days before periods and that finally seems to have disappeared in the last couple of months - I've been taking really high doses of B12 since May - think incidents a few months before may not have been helped by easing off on the supplementation as I'd just had a shot - so haven't done that since and don't think I've had the panic attacks as a result.

[shaws in reply to Gambit62]

That's good. Panic attacks and anxiety must be awful to experience.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to shaws]

Really difficult to describe - especially when you know that there isn't really anything causing it - at least that stops you driving yourself mad trying to figure out what the cause is. Really wish I'd known about B12D years ago. Think what was going on was that I was getting a short circuit in that bit of the brain that deals with fear. Just wish it would work for everyone or even that people - medics particular were more aware of the potential effects of B12D and would try it out rather than filling people up with pills that don't work because they aren't addressing the real cause.