Neuro symptoms disease versus vitamin deficiency

[SeekingSolace]

My recent hex of facial numbness, vertigo, double vision and low vit d, weakness, leg numbness, and falls has me headed to Boston for a neuro work up advised by my PCP.  Just wondering, could these sx just be a b12 deficiency?  If so, I think a blood test for this would be easier than the expensive neuro work up.  Any thoughts?  Thank you.  I'm 50 y/o female w/ insulin resistance only. Neuro sx stared 5 years ago with profound vertigo  for 10 days, then resolved, then half of my right face numbing, lasting 30 days, most recently, double vision at night when I'm tired, nose numbness x 1 week, walking leg numbness and wobbly legs, fatigue.  Could this be due to my low vit D? And possibly low B 12?  Any help is greatly appreciated.

[kwarendorf]

I think this a wise path :-) Keep us posted.

Kyle

[SeekingSolace]

Hi ess,
Just an update.  My b12 is wonderfully robust at 824.  So, I'll keep my neuro appt.  my labs are all normal, except elevation of absolute lymphocytes in white count differential, ESR and CRP are still mildly elevated.  New sx today, tingling sensations are turning into searing burning pain in both my legs.  I've never experienced so many strange feelings as this week.  I'll just have to wait and see.  I'll update after my Jan 10 th appt.  thank you for your support.
Seeking Solace

[SeekingSolace]

I found an inexpensive sun lamp on amazon.  It looks like a regular desk lamp.  Got to keep the decor pretty.  I checked w/ my doc, and she said 15 minute treatments would be fine.......if I can stand the heat.  I can't even tolerate my hair dryer some days.  

[PastorDan]

Sunlamp...  Wondering about that myself.  Wondering, most of.all, how it will be received by the Mrs.  Guess we gotta do what we gotta do.

[SeekingSolace]

Thanks.  Will get the b12 test, and as you say, as I process the rest.  My vitamin D level was 10.  I've been on 50000 iu's since July.  It's up to 16. I bought myself a sun lamp for Xmas. I guess I'm trying to help myself as much as I can.  Good diet, yoga, sleep, etc.

[SeekingSolace]

Kyle,
I think you've made a good point.  Let the specialist help me.  I have a hard time letting others in on this.  I'm a community health RN and a mother...so I'm used to being the helper, not the helpee. :)

[SeekingSolace]

Thank you.  I know my doc is suspecting MS, but I'm not sure, since sx seem to resolve.  I don't want to jump the gun.  I had a friend pass from PPMS, and never thought I'd be facing this challenge myself, so I'm looking for other possibilities.  Blessings to you all here, for helping.

[essdipity]

Hi and welcome.

Have you asked your PCP for these blood tests? It's always best to go first for the easiest solutions, and I'm surprised that a neuro referral would be made without simpler tests now.

Having said that, though, I have to say that vitamin deficiencies do not usually come and go. That's one way to tell whether B12 can be at the root of the problem. Symptoms do not relapse and remit as I'm assuming yours have. I haven't heard of low D causing all that you describe, but of course I'm no doctor.

My best advice is to press for blood tests while you process the neuro referral, which usually takes weeks to months. You can always cancel and reschedule if need be.

Let us know what develops, and good luck to you.

ess

[kwarendorf]

Hi Seekeing Solace-

I ain't no docd, but I would be amazed if all of the symptoms you describe are caused by a B12 deficiency. I would go to Boston and get checked out.

Kyle

[PastorDan]

Has your PCP done any tests at all?  Vit D, B12, and a number of other things could all be checked without going to a specialist.  Having said that, the symptoms you describe sound very familiar to me, having been on this forum myself -- off and on -- for almost four years.  I would probably have suggested a neuro exam, had I been in your doc's shoes.  "Since a referral's warranted anyway, why not let the specialist order exactly what he thinks is needed?"  I'd suspect the PCP's thinking something along those lines.

By the way, best wishes to you.