Neurological problems from B-12 deficiency

[TrishaD]

My husband was found to have a severe deficiency in his B-12 levels a couple years ago. He receives a once monthly 1000 mcg shot and has done well with it. We moved last year and he found a new doctor in our area but isn't going monthly as he should be. He went 10 weeks last month and 8 weeks the time before that. He does know its dangerous for him and the doctor tells him every time also. What I am now seeing is that he will tell me something and then a few days later swear he never said it. Or he gets extremely irritable and snaps at me with terrible words that he can't later remember. His personality is definitely different and not for the better. Is this permanent or can these things be temporary if he will get back to a normal routine with his monthly shots?

[Edb12]

Hi,

There are different options:
Maybe another form of B-12 gives less side effects. Other options are:
Hydroxycobalamin, Methylcobalamin or Adenosycobalamin.

Also it is important that there are no other deficiencies:
Before treatment with injections it should be made sure that there is no Potassium or Iron deficiency.  

B-complex should be taken concurrently, e.g. biotine availability improves effectiveness of the treatment. (The latter should also be given if acne occurs as side effect of b-12 treatment).

Pernicious anemia should be treated with injections, not orally (as oral absorbtion is impaired).

Because treatment with B12 causes the body to start replacing damaged cells (blood, thats why potassium and iron deficiency should not be present, and all kinds of tissues in the body) as soon as the B12 becomes available. This process of healing, may cause feelings of being ill, especially if there is a severe B12 deficiency, in the initial phase of treatment.

(Treatment should not be aborted, because it "does not seem to help/seems to make the patient sick/worse, this is not unusual - stopping treatment will make things worse, a deficiency must be treated and in the case of pernicious anemia, that should be lifelong).

If the worsening in the initial phase is really bad, an option is to treat with smaller doses (injections),  so that the reactions might be less severe.
To compensate for the smaller doses, the initial period of higher frequency  treatment should be prolonged before frequency decreases to the monthly doses for maintenance.

This (prolonged higher frequency) is also needed to more effectively treat neurological damage from B12 deficiency. It might take 2 to 3 years before effect (improvement of neurological functions) shows.

I hope this answer may help!

[BUNNY211]

Re B-12 therapy problem and deficiency:  My sig. other was dx'ed with w/pernicious anemia in 1988.  Schilling test: OK oral cyannocobalamin  (CN).  But she gets very sick on either oral or injectible CN.  So sick she can't take enough.  B-12 counts now<100 for several months; modified radical mastectomy (1990) followed by what neuro thinks in small fiber damage and autonomic dysfunction.

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
The signs and symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency include Anemia, Brain disorders, Nerve disorders, Neurological symptoms, Peripheral neuropathy, Paresthesia, Weakness and Fatigue. Your husband must take the B12 shots regularly. Please consult a neurologist for the symptomatic treatment of the symptoms. Please give him excellent nutrition including supplements of multivitamins, multiminerals, calcium and Omega 3 fatty acids. His symptoms may improve. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!