![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by spriggy on April 12, 2007, at 22:45:41
Hey guys,
I am going through a nasty time right now- I am getting treatment for Lymes' disease and the treatment has turned out to be more brutal than the actual disease!
The first week, I was severely depressed and anxious.. but after the 2nd week, I have noticed I feel so much calmer and happier. My mood swings are basically non existent..
Maybe the Lymes' really was effecting me and my mental health?
I had an MRI yesterday; my dr. is trying to rule out MS and is checking for brain lesions as I have had partial paralysis in my arms and legs for the past few weeks ( some days, I can not even get up to walk).
They did routine blood work and I got a note today from the doctor- I thought this was strange and wondered if anyone knew what this could mean:
" B-12 levels were over normal at 1406, normal is 200-987)."
That was all that the doctor wrote but I am confused by this.
I thought B vitamins were water soluble?
Why would mine be elevated? Could this be why my moods have improved so much??
I was taking B-12 injections weekly up until 6 weeks ago, then I just got so sick, I was not able.
I am just curious about this..
Posted by rjlockhart on April 13, 2007, at 0:35:54
In reply to question; high B-12 levels in blood???, posted by spriggy on April 12, 2007, at 22:45:41
spriggy,
i thought i heard or read somewhere that if you have to much vitamen B in you it just goes out of your system.
If you take supplements like Vitamen B's but i dont about your system.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 13, 2007, at 0:47:13
In reply to question; high B-12 levels in blood???, posted by spriggy on April 12, 2007, at 22:45:41
Hello! I remember you from ages and ages ago!
Anyway the only thing I can think of, is that vit B12 is supposed to be eaten - you know go into the digestive system. Then your body can extract etc the B12 and flush the rest away easily - as you rightly said its water soluable.
But when you're injecting it - maybe the body can't process it like it should and get rid of the excess.... so it just builds up! Or something. Anyway, its not surprising really having high b12 levels if you've been having injectings of it. Can I ask why?
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 13, 2007, at 6:03:16
In reply to question; high B-12 levels in blood???, posted by spriggy on April 12, 2007, at 22:45:41
> Hey guys,
>
> I am going through a nasty time right now- I am getting treatment for Lymes' disease and the treatment has turned out to be more brutal than the actual disease!
>
> The first week, I was severely depressed and anxious.. but after the 2nd week, I have noticed I feel so much calmer and happier. My mood swings are basically non existent..Your experience is typical, both weeks. I'm happy for you. Lyme's can have profound psych effects.
> Maybe the Lymes' really was effecting me and my mental health?
Until you get that completely under control, I wouldn't even try to form an opinion about long-term psych status. Your vulnerability has been proven, but with this stressor brought under control, you could completely rebound. I'm not suggesting a cure is possible, but that you may have been through the worst, for the time being.
> I had an MRI yesterday; my dr. is trying to rule out MS and is checking for brain lesions as I have had partial paralysis in my arms and legs for the past few weeks ( some days, I can not even get up to walk).
I know this is stressful to even consider, but with stuff like this, watchful waiting is standard. Ruling out MS is a wise act, but absent such a diagnosis, they'll just monitor you to see how it develops (or remits). It could be related to the Lyme's, and some autoimmune activity, for example. That would settle down as treatment progresses, your nerves would heal.....
> They did routine blood work and I got a note today from the doctor- I thought this was strange and wondered if anyone knew what this could mean:
>
> " B-12 levels were over normal at 1406, normal is 200-987)."
>
> That was all that the doctor wrote but I am confused by this.
>
> I thought B vitamins were water soluble?Not B-12. Not in the way you're thinking. The inclusion of B-12 amongst the other B-vitamins was actually an error of history, IMHO. It should have a category all to itself, like C or D or E.
Vitamin B-12 is actually quite a complex molecule, something like hemoglobin, but instead of an iron atom at the centre, it has a cobalt atom. All the various forms of this vitamin contain the suffix -cobalamin, after cobalt. These blood values are of no immediate concern, although individuals with a tendency to overproduction of red blood cells might experience a transient above-normal increase in RBC/hematocrit. Those with anemia are generally the ones given this vitamin, for that very reason, to boost red cell production. The liver will gradually take up the excess circulating B12, and store it. Again, that makes B12 unlike any of the other B-vitamins. The liver can store ~5 years supply, i.e. if the liver is replete, it takes five years of deficient diet to really show up on clinical examination.
BTW, if you had been B12 deficient in the past, your digestion should improve. B12 is essential for both the formation and release of stomach acid. You won't hear doctors say it, but GERD can be a symptom of B12 deficiency.....and GERD can inhibit protein digestion (via mis-timing of acid release), which inhibits B12 absorption.
> Why would mine be elevated? Could this be why my moods have improved so much??
It could be part of it, without doubt. Anemia means relative oxygen starvation.....fatigue, mental cloudiness, depressed mood.
> I was taking B-12 injections weekly up until 6 weeks ago, then I just got so sick, I was not able.That entirely explains the high blood levels. The injection is given IM, with the B-12 supplied in a medium from which it diffuses slowly, over time. Kind of a timed release mechanism. The blood finding is of no clinical relevence, unless you are one of the unlucky few who develop an excessive production of blood cells.
> I am just curious about this..I am just wordy about this....
I pray for your recovery.
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on April 13, 2007, at 9:42:06
In reply to Re: question; high B-12 levels in blood??? » spriggy, posted by Larry Hoover on April 13, 2007, at 6:03:16
Spriggy when I was in the hospital for my lymes treatment my Bl2 was elevated too. But didn't get any injections. Since so little is known about the lymes disease and its mutations it could be a part. Also I had am MRI didn't know they were looking for MS but the neurologist said it was fine and normal. Did they do a spinal tap? Mine was clear but doesn't mean the spirochettes weren't there at one time. Are you getting your treatment in a big medical facility? And are you off the antibiotics yet? Love Phillipa
Posted by spriggy on April 13, 2007, at 13:40:15
In reply to Re: question; high B-12 levels in blood???, posted by Phillipa on April 13, 2007, at 9:42:06
Meri- My doctor was giving me B-12 injections for my fibromyalgia/fatigue/achiness.
I started with 2 shots per week, then went down to one per week, then one every other week, etc..Larry- you smart man you. I didn't understand most of what you said, but it sure sounded good. ROFL
What I did gather was you said it's not really a big deal- so that relieves my concerns or curiosity. Thank you my friend!And I continue to pray for you as well. :)
Phillipa- I am on Doxycycline (spelling?) for the Lymes', also Cat's claw (2 drops daily), 2500 mg's of Vitamin C (dr. wants me to work up to 10,000- we shall see if I can actually do that, ROFL... can anyone say " diarrhea??" ROFL).
I am also on Ultram ER for pain and Hydrocodone for breakthrough pain.
The first week of treatment I was in horrible pain- I felt like someone rolled over my body with steam roller (and then proceeded to beat me with a baseball bat).
Not that I am being overly dramatic or anything. ROFL
I have been living on my heating pad with a lot of lower back pain ( which is new to me).
I've also had a lot of "burning" pain in my elbows (weird.. I know) and then of course, the numbness/tingling/brief paralysis.
All I know is Lymes' sucks. Who knew something so small could wreack such havoc??
The good part of this is that I can trace all my initial symptoms (2.5 years ago) to this.
Also, because of my discovery of the Lymes', several chronically sick and depressed (lupus, MS, and arthritis/depression) people in my church are now going to the LLMD to get tested for Lymes'.
Apparently, it is prevelant in our area- who knew?So, maybe through my own suffering, others' can get well. If so, it has been worth it.
Until the past 2.5 years of my own life, I had no idea what human suffering really was; pain, depression, anxiety.
So, God has allowed this in my life to birth compassion and understanding that I just could not have had before.
You sure learn to love other's in a new way; especially those that you know are sick, down, weary..
I appreciate you guys very much and I will be praying for all of us here- for relief, comfort, and healing.
Posted by Phillipa on April 13, 2007, at 19:51:12
In reply to thanks everyone.. Larry, Meri, Philippa, posted by spriggy on April 13, 2007, at 13:40:15
Spriggy there are no words to express how I feel about you. Know what you mean about the diarhea.sp? Yup doxycycline is the drug of choice. Make sure to stay out of the sun as I don't burn and get a nasty sunburn driving in the car. How long is your doxy treatment for? It's IV right? Good for you. And especially for finding a lymes doc. You know it's all over the world and people just don't believe it. I will continue to send you my news letter. Any in the spinal fluid and MRI okay? Love Jan/P
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 14, 2007, at 9:43:10
In reply to thanks everyone.. Larry, Meri, Philippa, posted by spriggy on April 13, 2007, at 13:40:15
> Larry- you smart man you. I didn't understand most of what you said, but it sure sounded good. ROFL
I haven't been ROFL'd at in a very long time. I didn't realize that I'd miss it so much.
I'm not so smart if you didn't understand. I'll try again, if there's any particular ideas to revisit.
Lar
Posted by spriggy on April 15, 2007, at 0:38:20
In reply to Re: thanks everyone.. Larry, Meri, Philippa » spriggy, posted by Larry Hoover on April 14, 2007, at 9:43:10
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.