Lately I've been in the garden making raised vegetable beds - and noticed that while treading on a dry holly leaf can make me jump out of my skin with tears in my eyes, tripping over scaffold boards and taking the skin off my shins goes completely unnoticed. Don't feel a thing. Part of an old garden wall fell onto my leg, trapping my foot. Had to use both hands to shift it, thinking "That's going to hurt later !" - but it didn't at all.
Also healing taking an age: cuts on shins and knees taking weeks, certainly over a month in some cases, and scarring.
Is this poor healing and nerve damage due to B12 deficiency ... or just getting older and thin skin ?
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Cherylclaire
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I think it sounfs like a bit of both. I hadnt felt a bu
rn. But it was obvious what it was as I've caught that part of my hand before on the oven.
That is taking an age to heal.
Not nice is it.
I've also got what I assume an insect bite. St not gone 3 weeks later.
I'm covered in bruises but I walk into doorframes .
Holly makes me jump too. I touched some by mistake.
Thinner skin and drier skin needs extra care . I'm using hemp calendular creams and oils .
My skin was on the dry side but since b12 deficiency it's too dry. I get oval dry patches like eczema. Not had before.
Cover yourself more in the garden. Long socks, gloves ect. My dad used to tuck his trousers in his socks. He joked and said ti stop snakes going up!
My husband is always gardening and has type one diabetes . He really reacts badly to insect bites and some grasses. Jungle balm or tropical stuff in a roll o good as a deterrent.
I also think out bodies arny as agile and with balance goes . So go more slowly as boring as it is . Less accidents less on automatic mode. Another frustration.
Regarding the oval dry patches that you haven't had before. Get it checked out to ensure it is not psoriasis, which is another autoimmune problem like PA. There is a connection .
I've never walked into door frames, but do feel like I'm slightly flipping my feet over hurdles rather than lifting them up properly - hence the tripping over scaffold boards.
Hi - thanks for that. I have psoriasis on my scalp. Never associated it with B12. Only been having injections a few months but it’s so much better. Didn’t think of connection like that so thanks!!!
Nackapan I’m in my 30s and before I took B12 my pain receptors and balance was all over the place! Some of the smallest things would hurt so much, usually knocks or people touching muscles. Hope it Improves.
I’ve had 6 years of my GP just saying it’s Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and have some antidepressants to live with it. I went from an ultramarathon runner to being bed bound and couldn’t even hold a cup of tea or cutlery sometimes. I decided to try b12 injections myself and after a week nearly all symptoms disappeared!!! I feel amazing. No hard feelings to the GPs but I am going to write and say what’s fixed me in case it nudges them to investigate for others with same symptoms. I still have burning in my feet and pins and needles in hands. I just felt like I had forgotten how to walk! I was literally watching other people trying to work out how they bent their legs as I couldn’t work it out! Crazy looking back that was only a few months ago!
My daughter and me told chronic fatigue depression ect
In other words dont know would be more honest.
6 years a long time.
So glad youve turned it round
I only said yesterday I donr care about alot of things. I do want to be able to make journeys of up to 50 miles. Also to ride my bike again one day.
I started bedbound with migraines/ ongoing terrible pain . Unable to walk in a straight line. I got worse with initial loading. Like you say time and injections hopefully
Lyme's disease - didn't think of that. You could have I suppose. Are there links to B12 deficiency/ similar symptoms ?
Yes, that sounds right about mind quicker than body. I lift leg up as far as I think I need to then flip foot over the obstacle. Not always, just when overdoing it. I'm not even sure it would be that obvious to anyone else- except for the cuts and scrapes .
I don't know how old you are... But it definitely could be linked to B12d - in either situation: either because of long term deficiency, possibly due to PA, or deficiency due to lower absorption due to aging!
Yes I'm 59 this month. I still think too much stress and the menopause changed my normal coping mechanisms and was the start of b12 not being absorbed . Timing is right 55 - 57 my body changed. Symptoms all sounded like age menopausal symptoms .
Clumsy
Eyesight problems
Weaker
Less stamina
Falling over
Headaches
Less tolerance to any alcohol giving more tiredness
Lack of concentration
Aching everywhere and so on
I think that's why women in particular put up with more and have later diagnosis generally speaking.
Doesn't it really grate on your nerves, then, that GPs seem to think that women go to the surgery too often and men not enough ? We all know the truth: women have to keep on going back again and again -because no-one listened the first time (or decided it was depression/ imaginary ). I love it that you refused to leave !
Yes, I was also 56 at the start. 62 now and still not sorted yet.
I could hardly move when I 'stood my ground' id gone for an Injection that was refused as I'd booked it a bit early after my first loading doses. After getting advice on here to get them started every other day again.
It was a fluke i thought the doctor called my name. If the practice manager had a actually come over to me as I use to do calling clients in for their child's health checks it wouldnt have happened.
That's one of the reasons I stuck with that Gp.
I hope you hurt yourself less while enjoying the garden.
Yes I understand it not age related apart from the menopausal bit.
That is a snippet of symptoms . I made a chart to monitor and to perhaps explain better in appointments as cherryclaire suggested . The Gp doesnt 'get it. Cant travel ect . She says why. When I went onto answers . She really challenged me. E.g she said when i get to say railway station sit and rest . Go in stages. Very good advice. . My answer where? I csnt be in artificial lights for long even with a big hat and tinted glasses. Over sensory overload I cant walk. I wasn't being obstructive as i have a strong will (most of the time) and am very practical. She just got frustrated. So perhaps on that occasion she got a snippet??
Too many debilitating ones so put the worst consistent ones down. On the list. That might help you too?
I'm hoping age is on your side for recovery .
My youngest 30 years younger is having to adapt her life
Hope you make many improvements to try and get on.
No problem - it's always lovely to hear from you - only her post was there at the time time!
I've had all the above problems from when I was about 13 or even maybe primary school age so it's all relative!
I'm "only" nearly 48 but feel decades younger than I did a few years ago, even though I still struggle a lot.
My aunt (80) and I were saying earlier that 60 is the new 40 - and life begins at 40!
I believe that you should never write yourself off to "age" - it just means that something isn't working like it should and it would be good to try to fix it, if possible!
Yes. Goodness you were young. Same as my youngest . She was not 'right'from 9/10 yrs.
Awful.
So glad you feel younger now
I cant believe my age .
I was reading the leaflet of medication I had to end up taking after antibiotics despite trying probiotics for 10 days. It said if over 60 da de da. I just flipped past it .wasnt me lol
Not long though.
Also Specsavers give 25%off over 60. My pension for what it's worth also only next year. I dont feel old as such just ill.
I stayed in the old NHS pension scheme. As it ended badly with the NHS losing the bid for school health. I ended up leaving g too early as the new provider wanted workers to have degrees for the job I'd been doing for years. I'm a qualified Nursery Nurse but the preference was for someone with a degree even if it was in Sport ???so I was mentoring and not able to do my job . Also mobile IT ect. So heavy
with all the other stuff we had to lug about. So also have to find 3 years contributions to makeup to get a full state pension. Because I was a low earner the NHS pension pitiful now as I got ill before finding another job.
62 - but you'd think an injection every three days would have sorted whatever one of the above applies. So with a weary great sigh (not air-hunger), I may have to return to one every other day.
My youngest had to give up a full time senior English teacher career. She decided to do a masters degree. Lost the place as too ill to start. They wouldnt defer so she applied the next year . She is finishing this year . Took twice as long. 2 years . Her last mark very high. Volunteered in the local library as good wheelchair access. Did it for 2 years for the summer reading scheme. Applied for a Saturday job there but didnt get it.
He root of her problems undiagnosed b12 deficiency!! She is determined and stubborn. I take my hat off to her.
So so hard not to go back at times thinking what was taken for granted.
I hope you finish your project however long it takes.
My mind is brighter.
Still cant read or watch tv ect.
Recently had the radio on very low for a short time. It seems doing that I then csnt walk round the block??
Well done to your daughter for taking on a masters degree- wonder where her tenacity comes from, haha !
Will get project done - on the home straight now, but weather against me for path foundations today. Could start preparing canvas for my next NHS portrait instead ?
I still find reading and listening to music hard work - surrounded by books, magazines and records, tapes, CDs in living-room. Haven't got the memory or concentration to actually find either relaxing. But getting rid feels like giving up.
I have started reading a bit aloud to partner, starting with us discussing what had happened previously in the book and ending with a recap over what had happened, what might happen next.
Just like teaching:
"Tell them what you are going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you've just told them."
It does help memory and concentration, especially if you do it in small chunks. Crosswords are good too- even if you can't yet read the paper.
TV I can do as long as I concentrate hard - my visual memory seems to be less affected. Helps if you don't have to wait too long for next episode, and not too many characters or too convoluted a plot. No fast action.
Your problems are more to do with light and noise, aren't they ?
Peripheral movements disturbing ?
These were also difficult for me. Not now.
Keep going. One thing every day, one day at a time while you are waiting.
My memory not too bad. It's more the vision for me. Or signals from eye to brain. Optical neuralgia explains it well. Pattern glare. Sensory overload. The writing on the right starts to fade and slope then disappear. I've had my eyes checked 3 times. Apparently physically okay. So hope appointments start again. I've been on the list since Jan. 20. Neuro opthalmologist .
I think this screen better as an anti blue light and very small screen. Even with this my head hurts and sizzles. Pains run up the back of my head.
TV. Literally hurts my head. I get very irritable. Even with prescription tinted glasses from professor E. Mainly deals with dyslexia. Akso deals with light sensitivity and migraine sufferers . Strange as about a year ago coukd watch s little in black and white tv.
I've got the same large print book I started in Jan. 19 by my bed. I do remember how it starts. I know what tiu mean not wanting to change stuff. We have books everywhere . At one stage I coukd be in the front room as could not look at too much at once. Like the aile with rinse in still my worst aile ti get down. Too busy. I've given my friend all my busy clothes and stripes!! I have to remind my daughters of the dress code. Plain only when I get to see them again .
Even trying to write a shopping list difficult. I will get a headache or spaced out. So good my memory not too bad ad sometimes csnt even look at the list!
So different problems.
Path foundations!!
My goodness. You dont do things by half
Must be lovely to have the talent to do a portrait
Shopping list is okay for me, but online shopping a bit of a mare: trying to remember what I've already ordered, what subheading items are stored under, hate the scrolling part - makes me feel a bit sick unless really slow.
Still, it saves me having to go to a supermarket at the moment. Not yet that keen.
Yes, there was plenty of digging, lugging bags of concrete mix and lately compost - and some arguing of course. Plenty of impatience, irritability and mood-swings (although hard to admit at the time!)
Lol . The best bit to come then with the planting out. I cant do the bending .
My husband doing that now as at last 0n a/l.
I'm sure the portrait will be appreciated .
I seem to remember one you posted of you? A long time ago it was lovely. Blue I think . Definitely blue eyes
Very good.
I cant do online banking or online shopping. I'm the only driver but there is a shop next to the surgery. I have one mask for each environment and gloves.
Headache again after In jection yesterday Have to remember thay used to be daily.
Eas longi g for light evenings as driven to bed by 5 . Now csnt be up until dark lol
Not dark till 9pm now. By next year you'll see it, I hope.
Can't do the bending either, Nackapan, which is why the raised beds - very raised. Will take a ton of compost to fill them. Still, gets me out of hoovering and cleaning the bath ! Osteoporosis of the spine. GP said "No carrying the shopping " anyway -but online shopping isn't the same. Like to squish things, sniff things and check dates, find new things or bargains. Choose.
Yes I did do a couple of self-portraits: "Deficient" and "Retribution" - me at my worst and then me half recovering /half deficient. Hoping there will be a third: "Recovery".
Or if not, "Acceptance".
We'll see. Not done yet, how about you ?
Sorry about your headaches. Never get them- unless given antibiotics.
I'm still awake!! Mainly as all day headache has lifted thank goodness. Finished antibiotics over a week ago. They gave me oral thrush instead despite taking probiotics for a while. Another first.
Yes silly me . Raised beds will be lovely. Nextdoor have them for osteoporosis. She hasnt looked back. Wonderful idea.
Funny you mention hoovering .I actually miss hoovering
I've tried a couple of times . Csnt work out if it's the noise or movement. Really hurts my head.
Oh what good titles for your self portraits . I only saw one.
Ets hope the next one is 'recovery.'
Didnt quite get
'How about you?
Another day hoping it will be a better one for all.
I'd forgotten 'til reading your post how much holly and mahonia leaves hurt - almost brought tears to my eyes just thinking about it! I have had abnormal pain/skin sensations (hypersensitive to some things and completely numb to others) for 20 years but also have been going increasingly numb recently so now have a neurologist and a Small Fibre Neuropathy diagnosis. B12 and folate is part of the picture for me, but wound healing seems to have improved with zinc and magnesium (as well as Vit D, Vit C, Vit K2 ) and less stress! (Meditation, EFT, mindfulness....whatever it is that you can find that works for you). Best wishes
Has 150mg magnesium 15mg zinc. I dont take that one daily . Perhaps why higher dose needed for healing?? Strawberries have started sk vit c okay. D I need to supplement.
Dont know why but mindfulness makes me cross. I always think its good for relaxing if well. Or good if yiy depressed. My daughter had something like that. Her mind so much brighter but het body so unwilling it . Made her situation worse. Just me .
Like you say anything that works for the individual.
So Cherryclaire . More vitamins . More clothes on to protect. Slow down a little. Hopefully less injuries.
I agree about mindfulness! Makes me cross and irritates me. Only mentioned it because I know some find it helpful. I much prefer the EFT and meditation and I have calming breathing exercises etc. When I was in far more gut pain (and before I had some idea why) I couldn't bear the breathing exercises because they all make you concentrate on the breath raising and lowering your stomach which was the last place I wanted to be centering my thoughts on! I use 15mg zinc but in split doses, and not all the time. A few weeks on and a few weeks off. I use a good liquid D for easy absorption (plus the K2 and magnesium). Well worth getting your D optimal if possible.
Did go to a neurologist and he sent me for brain scan (fine) and electric nerve test - which was also fine but only deals with larger nerves. My shin numbness on outer sides seems to be worsening lately- and I didn't know whether to put this down to reducing injections from every other day to every third day. Sometimes they swell, get hot and ache- no reason I know of. I have had folate and ferritin problems in the past which took a couple of years to raise and stabilise. Thought I now had that sorted.
Vitamin D too - I've got osteoporosis of the spine so get this on NHS.
Can I just rub magnesium oil on ? Even with poorly healed cuts ?
Just finished an NHS frontline portrait - maybe should do another - that's a very therapeutic hobby and I'm less likely to trip over a canvas !
Hi, I have outer shin numbness too, left worse than right, and outside of left knee was first sign of 'new' increasing numbness. Although not completely resolved, it is much improved. I do use methyltetrahydrofolate as well as methylcobalamin (tablets and liquid) so that may explain the improvement. I wouldn't use the magnesium on broken skin. I generally use Better You flakes in a foot bath of medium hot (comfortable -not too hot) water and soak my feet for 20 mins in the evening. I maybe do that 2 or 3 times weekly and use the sensitive oil spray on the inside of my forearms on the other nights (3 or 4 sprays, I don't use lots). I started off slowly, just using a little bit as it can make you quite tingly, (may make your heart race or bowels too loose if you go overboard with it). If you get it on sore skin it can be uncomfortable, and if you always put it in the same place it can make the skin dry, so mix it up a bit. I find it soothing on my temples when I get a headache or directly on aching joints. I also found I needed my D a bit higher than NHS seemed to think was enough, and I take K2 with it. I was walking into door frames and feeling like the floor was coming up in waves and the folate seems to have been what I needed most (have a MTHFR variant plus COMT, MAO and gluathione absent gene.) Gardening and painting - what a perfect combination of blissful pastimes. Best wishes
There is some evidence that the ageing process is something to do with B12. Wrinkled skin, liver spots, hard and brittle nails, snarled hands, greying hair, balding and other hair loss, old age stagger walk etc.
I starting self injections every other day two months ago and most of these and more have reduced by about 75%. I am carrying on to see if I can repair the remaining 25%.
Really glad to hear it and definitely worth pursuing the remaining 25%. Much of my improvements came in the final months, and more rapidly, which is why I reduced injections.
Why stop doing something that works ? Good question.
(Teacher's response which means "No idea"!)
I self injected every other day for over two years and only reduced the frequency at the end of last year - to every three days. Have noticed these adverse changes only recently, so thinking this is a combination of hard physical work as well as the reduction. Could be one or the other as any changes, good or bad, have been extremely slow, so hard to relate immediately.
Interesting article, shame for us that B12 not used in isolation in the research.
Not sure tablets would help me, certainly spray did nothing at all.
My folate, ferritin and vitamin D are usually monitored - as all have been low and erratic before - so this could also be a contributing factor.
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