paresthesia--vitamin B12 deficiency or MS?

[Violet1717]

I was dxed at age 32 in October 2004 with adult-onset type 1 diabetes. Just days later, I began to feel a sensation like being stuck with a pin in fingers and toes. Location moved around at random & spread in days to include legs, arms, sides, face, mouth, scalp. Occurred most often in feet & hands. Problem was not constant & for many hours of the day I was pain-free. Endoc said I hadn

[professionalfemale]

Hello I found out about a month ago i was vitamin b12 def. My level was at 194. I was just wondering from someone if this is a low level. Also how long does it take for the injections to start working. Today was my 4th one in a month. I really dont feel any better. Also the muscle spasms i am having seem to be getting worse. I have the spasms all over my body. (which is annoying). Is this common for low b12 my doctor doesnt seem to give me answers when i ask him. My sypmtoms are alot like those who posted. Weak, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, flu-like symptoms. I had an mri, of head and spine didnt seem to think i have ms but Lord i just feel like i am getting worse. I hope to hear from someone soon.
thank you

[lchelsemom]

Definetly 194 is too low!  At that level you will most likely have neurological sysmtons.  If you see bottom of lab report, it will probably state that.

After starting ionjections, I felt better fairly quickly.   I got so I could tell when time for shot.  Unfortunately with all thge other medical issues I am dealing with, that doesn't happen.  But then again, my level was only at 224 last time tested.

I made my elderly mother and father be tested for B12 and both were low.  Now my mother is getting injections every 2 weeks which hopefully will go to once a month.  Unfortunately my father passed away 1 1/2 years ago and I don't think that played a part.  I read somewhere that it could be genetic but I can't find it now.

I feel so much better that I am not alone with this craziness although I am sorry that ALL of us have to deal with this at all. It is so frustrating and so intangible.  Will be waiting to hear more info from anyone.

LindaS

[professionalfemale]

Hello, thank your for the reply. I def am having neurological symptoms especially the spasms all over. But i wasnt for sure how low was low. I never seen the whole lab report from doctor just the number really quick when they showed me. I start once a month next month but i hope that isnt too long for my next one. Do you know if you are low in b12 you can be low in b6 as well. I asked them if they could get me a blood test for that as well. Waiting on the response. Do you have any idea why we get so low? I had no idea i had a def but couldnt understand why i get so weak in my limbs..it was scaring me. Thank you for all your support.
love, steph

[Violet1717]

Among the things I've read about B12 is that when you start injections you sometimes feel WORSE before you get better. This is because the brain has to readjust to the presence of B12, and wacky symptoms result. Then improvement, hopefully, begins.

I would add that my course of injections is more frequent than yours. I'm getting 1 per day for 4 days, then 1 per week for 4 weeks, then 1 per month ongoing. I wonder if you're getting enough B12?

Finally...for everyone...there is an AMAZING forum on all things neurological where I've learned a lot the last couple days. A long & VERY useful post on B12 is found here: http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?t=57840

There are boards at the same site for pretty much every neuro issue you can think of, and then some. Go read and good luck to all of us.

[professionalfemale]

Hi there and thank you for the information. May I ask how low you was when you was diagnosed? did you ever get muscle spasms all over body or am i just one of the special ones..(sad). How was your b6? I would like to talk more if you have time. My messenger is ***@**** please add.

[Violet1717]

I'm not on Messenger, srry :) But I'll be checking here a lot. My B12 level was 322, not a definitive low diagnosis. That's partly why I'm having an MRI. I have some muscle aches/feelings of weakness, but not a lot. I have read though that aches and tremors are very common with B12 def. Keep in mind that you aren't alone, OK? Take care.