Have had some nerve problem for some time now, think it is something organic, but GPs have been very poor in getting to a diagnosis and seem to be going round in circles, the symptoms could be numerous things and tests would be v expensive and longwinded so they seem to opt for the cheap routes. (was wondering regards alternatives eg There is a Chinese Herbalist in town who reckons he can diagnose via taking ones pulse)
There are some very knowledgeable people on here, but you will need to give a more detailed account of the symptoms.
Nerve problems are generally holistic by nature. Deficiencies in magnesium, calcium or the B vitamins being the main causes.
(It should be noted that taking too many supplements of one particular nutrient can create an imbalance in other nutrients. Too much calcium is a prime example, as it can upset the Cal:Mag and Cal:Zinc balance, if not taken as part of an Osteo Complex.)
Cheers, had been an heavy drinker for about 30yrs, but did not know about the B vits until about three years ago, ended up in hospital and luckily a nurse mentioned that it could be this so started taking the thiamin and B complex (although I was managing to get natural ones on prescription at first, the chemist complained about it, so now am getting over the counter ones, which I think are synthetic, at least the Thiamin is) Taking the B vits cleared up some unpleasant symptoms but still have problems, and am having to go by trial amd error with vitamins.
Those are classic signs of neck misaglignment. You have pinched nerves that are radiating down your arm from your cervical neck. It can also affect your mental state significantly.
I would find a chiropractor that does the gonstead method.
Its not easy finding a good chiro. But you certainly need one that does a radical adjustment... not one of those light touch guys that pushes with a little hammer type device. They should also feel confident doing an occipital lift maneuver. Make sure they take neck x-rays. You might have some cartilage degeneration going on in your neck also, in which a home decompression device for cervical vertebra is very helpful. Some people do well with a total body slant board.
B12 shots can be helpful also and especially if you have had a history of drinking. B12 can also help to heal inflammed nerves that have had excessive pressure on them.
Something I had not considered that, the neck thing.
Had realised the docs B vits do not contain B12, so started taking that was also having regular nose bleeds , these stopped on taking the B12 , don't know if it was just coincidence, but also was passing blood in stools up until taking the prescribed B complex, other symptoms are tinitislike stuff at night, really bad vertigo when i have done a little excercise, not sure wether this is due to blood pressure as the attacks have passed by the time I can get it checked.
Well, if your neck is out you can have veritgo with exercise. I've had chronic neck problems for many years...
and the biggest clue is that your numbness is one sided.
But the bleeding is an other issue. Bleeding with stool, if it isn't hemorrhoids, is a matter to be looked into. I have never heard that B12 will beneficially affect clotting factors so I think this is more likely a coincidence. You should get checked out for this bleeding issue.
The doctor said the bleeding was a concern and he did not know what caused it, I have had haemorroids in past, its similar but not that I am sure, also had a veggie diet for nigh on twenty years, will explore the neck thing as my nerves swelled up alarmingly around that side and that is when i first went to hospital, I think as you say it could be more than one thing causing different stuff.
Cheers, they have sent me for cardio and mental health, don't think it is anything emotional, but cardio may help if they put me through excercises as these bring on attacks. Also the vitamin B blood tests have been OK. they have not tested much deeper though.
Something I had not considered that, the neck thing.
Had realised the docs B vits do not contain B12, so started taking that was also having regular nose bleeds , these stopped on taking the B12 , don't know if it was just coincidence, but also was passing blood in stools up until taking the prescribed B complex, other symptoms are tinitislike stuff at night, really bad vertigo when i have done a little excercise, not sure wether this is due to blood pressure as the attacks have passed by the time I can get it checked.
It could be neck problems but most of your symptoms point to low vitamin B12 levels.
Rectal bleeding and nose bleeds as well as neuropathy symptoms such as tinnitus, blurred vision and arm and leg weakness can all be caused by low B12. Being on a long term veggie diet as well could cause low B12 levels.
B12 is found mainly in meat, fish and poultry.
Severe B12 deficiency can cause pancytopenia, a shortage of not only red blood cells but also of white blood cells and platelets. The website Pancytopenia.net lists the symptoms of pancytopenia as anemia, bleeding problems, easy bruising, fatigue, frequent infections, headache, hemorrhage, menstrual bleeding (excessive), nose bleeds, pallor, petechiae, increased heart rate, rectal bleeding, shortness of breath and weakness.
Low vitamin B12 can be caused by pernicious anemia which is an autoimmune problem and causes low intrinsic factor in the stomach and poor B12 absorption. If you havent already been tested for intrinsic factor antibodies by your doctor it should be checked as well as B12 vitamin levels.
If you have pernicious anemia you will need to have either regular vitamin B12 injections from your doctor or sublingual dietary B12 supplements. Sublingual supplements bypass the need for absorption by the stomach and are absorbed into the blood stream mostly under the tongue, and bypassing the need for intrinsic factor in the stomach for absorption.
PERNICIOUS ANEMIA NEEDS DIAGNOSING BY A DOCTOR AS THE LOW VITAMIN B12 LEVELS CAUSED BY LACK OF INTRINSIC FACTOR CAN CAUSE PERMANENT NERVE DAMAGE.
Poor thiamin(B1) levels are common with diabetics and heavy drinkers and can cause neuropathy symptoms. Alcohol prevents the absorption of B vitamins and destroys existing stores of B vitamins.(says he as he sips his glass of red wine! )
Bentofiamine is a fat soluble (B1) derivative which stays in the system much longer and is more effective than the normal water based B1 which only stays in the system about 2 hours.
You can try these coenzymated B supplements, which are better absorbed than normal B vitamins, but you must be checked by your doctor for adequate B12 levels and pernicious anemia antibodies.
Liver, are you qualified? I wish to print these out and take them with me next time I go to docs, but know they will just dismiss them if its via net for instance.
I have to cope with the system we have now at docs, which means you just get who is available at the time, so one of five plus stand in.
No, I am not a doctor just a health researcher, there is only one MD who posts on this forum intermittently.
The answers I have given are based on what you have described as your history with this problem.
The fact that you initially improved on B Complex and B12 treatment and when later (due to lack of taking B12), you started to show signs of platelet blood problems (bleeding from anus and mouth),that also responded to B12 vitamin treatment shows B12 is probably your main problem. The neuropathic symptoms also point to a B12 and B1 deficiency.
The internal bleeding points to you having very low levels of B12, caused possibly by lack of absorption due to poor stomach intrinsic factor.
I emphasise again you should see your doctor and determine whether you have pernicious anemia BEFORE taking any supplemts listed. Pernicious anemia can sometimes lead to other serious stomach complications and needs ruling out, and if diagnosed regular B12 tests.
Internal bleeding and possible low B12 levels need accurate diagnosis otherwise permanent tissue damage can be caused.
All this is straight forward mainstream allopathic medicine and has nothing to do with "alternative" or "net" medicine.
If I may come back in again..
I'm inclined to agree with liverock.
Vit B is water soluble. I think we can take it as read that you had a vitamin B deficiency caused by a high fluid intake (i.e. you were drinking heavily)
Your doctor eventually diagnosed a B deficiency and put you on pharmaceutical vitamin B tablets. Not only are these synthetic but am I right in thinking they only contain 4 or 5 different B vitamns? Well, there are 11 B vitamins in the B Complex.
All the B vitamins work in a synergistic effect. Plus they also are involved in an auxillary capacity in numerous other functions throughout the body.
Taking just a few B vitamins whilst ignoring the rest is going to create an imbalance. You display many classic symptoms of B deficiency, despite what the blood test results may say. I find myself wondering if they tested for all 11 B vitamins, or just B1, B2 and B6?
My personal opinion would be to try a natural B complex or quality multivitamin supplement, containing all 11 B vitamins, in a reasonable quantity, just to see if things shake down. They may well do.
Magnesium deficiency is usually somewhere afoot with cardio problems. B vitamins play an auxillary role with magnesium so that could be a knock on effect.
Either way I wish you well. Good luck.
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