B12 deficiency & neuro symptoms

I recently began having severe cases of being lightheaded, off balance, brain fog, etc. It was severe, I wouldn't be able to walk straight & couldn't concentrate. I also had occasional numbness & tingling in my fingers & toes. I also had severe fatigue. Last year I had GI problems (pain, bloating, diarrhea, etc) that were not diagnosed because all tests came back ok. When the recent issues came up, my Dr suggested it may be my ear, I went to see an ENT who found no obvious problems. During research online, I discovered many of my symptoms could be related to B12 deficiency. I am 36 years old but I am a vegetarian. I asked my Dr to test my B12 & it came back as 163. I am now getting injections weekly for 1 month & then monthly for 6 months. I have not had any issues with being lightheaded since, my mind seems clearer and the fatigue seems to be improving. I have had 3 injections and today, for the first time ever, I am having tingling in the lower back & buttock area on the right side. I think it could be related to the sciatic nerve.

I have a few questions, if my numbers have been low for awhile, is it possible that this is related to neuro problems I have experienced? Should I also be taking oral B12 vitamins while receiving the injections? How long does it normally take for the neuro issues to improve if they are related to B12? Thank you so much for your time!!

[ggreg]

Once the B12 gets back to normal, it would be helpful to know what the reasons might be for B12 to get low, and that way you can correct the source of the problem.  There is no need to take B12 supplements until your shot course is complete.  I would say since your symptoms have all subsided, then yes, the B12 deficiency is the very reason why you had all these wild and crazy symptoms.  Most of the time when a patient comes in to see a doc with a lot of neurological type symptoms, one of the things a doc does is draw blood and get a complete look at vitamin and mineral levels, blood cell counts, just a general look at your health that is revealed in bloodwork.  So, it's a good thing you were smart enough to determine what might be at work here (I had to do the same thing with some endless diarrhea I had... it was a drug), and requested your doc to check out your vitamin and mineral situation.  Hope I've answered your questions, I've pretty much told you everything I know.  Glad you are better!  

[MMahon]

Have you seen a neurologist?  If not i'd suggest you do so.
Some medications may interfer with the absorbtion of b12 as well.
Neurological damage can take some time to resolve.  Nerve demylination will repair but not overnight. Give it some more time.
check out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrinsic_factor

[NJgirl75]

Thanks to both of you for the information. MMahon - no I have not. I actually posted this in the Expert forum in hopes the Dr would respond but they moved it over here, I don't know why.

[NJgirl75]

Thank you MedNetFan, I will definitely check it out!