Has anyone experienced a strange whooshing vertigo-type sensation...

[Charlie3055]

... (as if you're standing on a high ledge, or someone gives you a shock) that goes from your temples through to your stomach and out through your fingertips? My flatmate has been experiencing this as well as pins and needles in her left foot. I wondered if it could be a slight carpel-tunnel type thing but not sure. This is combined with physical whole body twitches which the doctor has said is exhaustion. She also has Raynaud's in addition to de-sensitised nerves in her hands and feet, especially in her feet. She had it all checked yesterday where the specialist tested her sensitivity to a bit of cotton wool and a cocktail stick and she barely reacted to it and didn't know where they were or what he was using. She has had glandular fever and has now been diagnosed with post viral fatigue and has been off of work for several weeks but has recently started back nearly full-time. She's taking duloxetine (an SNRI) and is on B12 injections. It sounds like a nerve thing but I wondered if anyone has had anything similar or any insights at all? Many thanks!

[PinkNinja]

That sounds like neurological damage from a pretty severe B12 deficiency. If she is already on B12 injections, she might need them more often. Unfortunately, the guidelines for B12 are as useless as a chocolate teapot and she may not be able to get her injections more often that once every 3 months. This is not enough for someone who is experiencing neurological symptoms. Personally, I would be asking for a second opinion about the B12 and finding someone who could prescribe them more frequently. You may be able to find more information from the Pernicious Anaemia Society. There are several members on here who know a lot more about this subject than me so hopefully they will be along soon. If not, you may want to post your question on the PA forum on HealthUnlocked.

Does she also have thyroid disease? The two seem to go together far more often than coincidence should allow. I'm also fairly sure that some antidepressants can deactivate B12. You may want to look into that.

I'm sorry your friend is having to go through all this

Carolyn x

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I get it alot. Had PA diagnosed late thanks to nhs and often wondered what permanent damage i sustained due to their negligence

[Marz]

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Everything you need to know about B12....

You could also type B12 into the Search Box at the top of the page on the green bar and read the experiences of others. You can buy B12 on-line and self inject or ask someone to do it....

Loading doses are needed in the beginning - before going onto the NHS 3-monthly protocol - which for most people is not enough.

There is a Petition running at the moment on b12d.org trying to ensure that B12 injections can be bought over the counter....it is a nonsense.

On the website at the top of this post there is a link to 47 pages of how to self inject....

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I have similar symptoms to your friend. I'm waiting to see a neurologist in four week's time and have had the symptoms for over a year. My GP has tested my B12 levels several times and I've also has them tested privately with more specific tests. All came back well within normal range, although at the lower end. I know this isn't right from this site but can't persuade doctors to do anything so I just take B12 sublingually but it hasn't made any difference.

If the neurologist doesn't find anything at all obvious wrong, such as MS, then I'm going to ask them to consider giving me B12 injections to see if this helps. Mine is equally bad in both feet and legs and my hands have pins and needles all the time too. I'm between mildly giddy (as if the ground may fall away before me) and quite badly affected with my balance. I've pestered by doctors for ages. I also have Arryhthmia, RA and Hypothyroidism.

[Chippysue]

I was going to say b12 when I started to read your post.

Is your friend having enough b12 injections? Many people need more than the three monthly ones.

Sue

Www.thyroiduk.org

[Charlie3055]

Thanks so much for your responses everyone. My flatmate is printing this out and taking it to the Doctor so hopefully he will be able to look into it further.