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Pain in arms, wrist, ankles and legs- Also experiencing wierd sensations
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MedHelp Member's Question

Pain in arms, wrist, ankles and legs- Also experiencing wierd sensations

by DRH123, Feb 01, 2006 12:00AM
I have been experiencing weird sensations throughout my body for about 3 weeks.  Just a few days ago I began having sharp pains in my back down the my ankles as well as wrists.  I have bloodwork done all is fine but my B12 level is low (230).  Can a low B12 level cause these sensations (burning, numbness, cold, sore tongue)?



In addition, I have an appointment with my Neorogolist on February 22nd for an EMG.



Any information you can porvided would be helpful.  My anxiety level is really high right now. I am really worried about MS.



Thanks.
Doctor's Answer

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Feb 07, 2006 12:00AM
I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet, and its difficult to tell whether you have a neurological disorder or not with your information.



The B12 levels are not terribly low, so may be a red herring, I caanot tell without knowing more about your case. In any case you should have a further investigation of why you are B12 deficient eg gastritis, diet etc



Pain in the ankles and wrist does not suggest a primary neurological disorder, and particularly not MS.



Your neurologist will hopefully be able to provide you with more specific answers.
Member Comments (23)

by kfenner, Feb 01, 2006 12:00AM
I'm no doctor, but speaking from first hand experience, yes, low B12 can cause those things.  Your description of the sore tongue cinched it for me.  Low B12 can cause symptoms that mimick MS and often is initially mistaken for it.  I took injections of B12 and it took a little time, but all of my symptoms resolved.

by martha2006, Feb 02, 2006 12:00AM
Hi, even my b12 is low and weird sensations and muscle pains.. How long it took to get all the symptoms resolved. Dr is giving b12 shot once in a week. it has been 3 weeks over, but still symptoms getting worse, and indigestion and loss of appetite.



please share your experience. crying like anything everyday why god is giving all sorts of problems to good people...



thanks

by DRH123, Feb 02, 2006 12:00AM
To: Martha2006
Hello Martha 2006.



How low was your B12 level?  Have you seen a neorologist?  I have just had one B12 shot and my doctors seems to think that taking vitamin supplement (B12-Complex) will solve the problem).  I hope so!  It is really crazy to think that all of my symptoms are B12 related. Are you  having any symptoms?



by martha2006, Feb 02, 2006 12:00AM
hi,

my b12 is 217. I have been taking b12 shots for 3 weeks.  I still have muscle aches and weird sensations in the hands and feet. so your symptoms resolved with just one b12 injection.? dr will be checking b12 again after 4 months to see if it the problem with absorption or because of poor diet.



thank you for reply..

by martha2006, Feb 02, 2006 12:00AM
forgot to mention i had seen neurologist, he thinks i am not a neurologic patient . may be i should go for second opinion. did you see a neurologit?

by DRH123, Feb 02, 2006 12:00AM
To: Martha2006
I am seeing a neoroglist on Feb. 22nd.  He is go to do an EMG.

by always feraful, Feb 02, 2006 12:00AM
i have had some of the same things going on and i have been to a neurologist and my primary and they have never done a b 12 on me . what is the range for a good b12, i have been so scared because of some of the problems that i have been having so believe me i know how you feel , i would sure love to talk to any of you guys that posted for this , my email is ***@****. how long do you have to take b12 and what would cause it to go low? would love to talk to you!

by kfenner, Feb 02, 2006 12:00AM
When I suffered from my B12 deficiency, I was started on injections twice a week for a month, then down to once a week and after awhile to once a month.  My doctor never did figure out the cause of my deficiency, but if you eat a normal diet, I am under the understanding that if your level is low, then oral B12 will not help since you body obviously is not processing it.  It took several months of my injections for symptoms to resolve.  Low levels damage your nerves and it takes awhile for them to heal.

by martha2006, Feb 03, 2006 12:00AM
hi kfenner,



thank you for your reply. how many months exactly it took to relieve all pains? at what level your b12 started? how much now it is? can you share your initial symptoms? muscle aches....etc.



i beleiev good b12 range is 500 - 1000. I have been checking on the internet some say above 200 is normal range.



Is b12 shots life time committment if we can't abosrb it orally?





thanks and hope to hear from u soon...

by highvoltage, Feb 04, 2006 12:00AM
has anyone had visions they remember after a siezure / I had an accident the other day that i remember one way but i believe it didnt really happen like that. My wife says i get a certain look in my eyes after a siezure and i had that look when i got home.

by kfenner, Feb 04, 2006 12:00AM
I would be happy to discuss any of my B12 issues with anyone who wants information.  My level was not drastically low, but I had very severe symptoms.  Started with what felt like shin splints in my legs, and they were very shaky.  Then it was more like nerve pain.  My walking became difficult and I had to convince myself I could actually do it.  Then my arms became affected.  They hurt, and I lost strength and coordination.  They felt bruised to the touch.  The pain in my arms and legs was very severe. I took over the counter pain meds like candy.  I also was very tired, and had what I refer to as sore taste buds on my tongue.  My doctor told me my injections would be forever.  My Schillings test was negative as was everything else. I took injections for many years.  It took about 6 months for all the pain and other symptoms to totally disappear.  I stopped injections about 5 or 6 years ago, and so far, I have no more issues.  My level has remained good.  To this day, no one knows what caused it, or why it is all fine now.  If anyone wants more information, feel free to contact me directly at ***@****  To get more information, you can read http://www.b12.com/case.htm   Scroll about halfway down, and I'm subject No. 2.  I'm getting ready to have a new MMA B12 level run through the researcher that wrote this study, just to see how I am maintaining.

by NURSELPN, Feb 05, 2006 12:00AM
To: Everyone Re:B-12 Deficiency
I was diagnosed with low B-12 last June. My B-12 level was 89 @ that time. I have been taking B-12 sub-q injections twice wkly. since. My B-12 level just reached 824 on the last test. I am still symptomatic. I have read that it takes 5-6 yrs. for your B-12 level to deplete. Normal B-12 levels are from 200-1100. It is documented that a pt. with a level from 200-400 can demonstrate neurological & phyciatric symptoms. Physicans say your B-12 level should be brought up to 850 & be maintained to prvent further damage or symptoms. If your B-12 definiency goes untreated for an extended period of time your symptoms can be irreversible.

I know this is a long post but here is some facts:



What causes vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia usually develops when your body cannot absorb this vitamin from food. This can happen if:

You have pernicious anemia. In pernicious anemia, your body destroys the cells in your stomach needed to help your body absorb vitamin B12.

You have had surgery to remove part of your stomach or the last section of your small intestine (ileum).

You have a digestive problem, such as sprue (also called celiac disease), Crohn's disease, bacteria growth in the small intestine, or a parasite.

You take medicine to treat heartburn and ulcers for a long time. Examples include omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid).

More rarely, it develops if you don't have enough vitamin B12 in your diet. Those at risk include people who eat a strict vegetarian (vegan) diet, older adults who don't eat a variety of foods, and people with chronic alcoholism.

What are the symptoms?

.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia Symptoms

If your vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is mild, you may not have symptoms or you may not notice them. Some people may think they are just the result of growing older. Symptoms develop slowly over years, as the amount of vitamin