I just found the answer as to why I've been having so much trouble in a new desert climate. I have spinal degeneration from b12 deficiency. Part of spinal cord injury/degeneration is the inability to adjust to new climates. Link below. There is a lot of research to it. This also explains my difficulty walking with my wasted left leg. I'm in shock. I cant believe it got this far. And now theres nothing that can be done about it. It's hard to wrap my mind around it. I'm terrified.
I already set an appointment for a neurologist but it's not for another month. Wow.
Don't say that nothing can be done. People often improve with b12 injections. Some make a full recovery. Do you really have to wait until you see your neurologist to start getting injections? I'm not a doctor, but from what I've read it's better to start treatment early. There is hope!
Hey Palmier. Thank you for the reply and the hope. I've been having b12 injections for 6 months now. Had loading doses of 3 per week and been doing 1 a week since. I also take oral supps. My anemia is gone but my left leg weakness and poor digestion are still there. I also cannot change climates. It has to be SACD unfortunately.
lownskater52, the article that you quote doesn't seem to relate to B12 deficiency at all but seems to draw on spinal injuries that were unlikely to be related to B12 deficiency - ie problems relating to traumatic injuries.
Its also looking at hypothermia - body temperature being too low, which is very different from coping with very hot climates.
Hey Gambit. Thanks for the response. Is it not responable to assume a heavily degenerative spine can have symptoms that mimic injury? Legitimately curious.
I don't know what other articles you have come across but I think there are some huge differences between how B12 deficiency works and how trauma works in relation to nerve function and drawing conclusions about one from articles about the other is fraught with the potential for drawing the wrong conclusion.
Personally I don't think you can tell anything about the way B12 deficiency might affect nerve function from the linked article.
Hey lownskater52 ! Just read that article in the link you provided and can find no mention of B12 or spinal degeneration, it only mentions spinal injury. I totally understand how scared and terrified you must feel about this....perhaps there is still hope for you yet because as you said, you've only been injecting for 6 months and this article doesn't really confirm one way or another. From the many articles I've read and peoples personal stories (including my own) on this forum (and other forums) of people's personal healing journeys, it can often take way longer than 6 months to fully heal.
Question; out of interest how did you find out you had SACD of the spine, was it through an MRI, or a visit to the Neurologist?
Stick with it hey, see what the neurologist has to say next month and take it from there. All the best.
Lownskater52...I agree with Gambit62 and YogiGreg...it's not possible to draw conclusions about damage from potential subacute degeneration of the spinal cord from this research paper, which address temperature dysregulation in those who are paraplegic or tetraplegic (a different type of injury - severe/traumatic - to the spinal cord).
There are many other causes of temperature dysregulation (i.e. diabetes, thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormone issues, heat stroke, alcohol use disorder (not that I'm suggesting you have this 😉), ...and the list could go on).
You say you're in a 'new desert climate' and it’s also the case that it can take the body some time to adjust to a new climate (a bit like mountaineers who have to adjust slowly to high altitude).
I know it's worrying and very difficult when you have to wait for an appointment with a neurologist but please please don't draw any conclusions from this research paper.
The neurologist should want to do an MRI of both your head and your spine. That may sound self-evident to you and I but you'd be surprised how many neurologists are not aware of SADSC (as a consequence of B12 deficiency) and forget to include the spine in the MRI request. There is an information leaflet about this on the PAS website (or elsewhere on the Internet) so you may like to print it off and have it handy when you go to your appointment - just in case 😉.
As I said, please try not to worry...certainly this paper does not give cause for that.
Very best of luck with the neurologist and let us know how you get on.
I suffer with degeneration of the spine and osteoarthritis in both hips, ive seen a spine specialist who told me, im probably suffering nerve damage thats cousing the problems with my legs and arms, like yourself i cant walk very far for being in pain with my back and legs, but have been told there is no cure, just medication, i cant afford to be out of work, but slowly i feel like giving up, its just too much lately, so i realy feel for you, but i have started self injections with B12, so fingers crossed, all the best to you.
Have you been diagnosed with this? If not I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry, many things we worry about never happen and I hope this is one of those.
Reading a little of the link it could have applied to me earlier on in treatment, continue to get plenty of b12 and let it do it's job, a deficiency does tend to cause anxiety but this also improves with treatment x
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Aaaaargh! They're here! And I've just had my first jab at the nurse's...
Spinal stenosis & b12 deficiency 
symptoms of several autoimmun diseases, how to differ them……?
Just had my levels of B12 given to me.
Hot hands & feet after months of cold?
