Vitamin B12

[Guest guest]

Hi Pauline and Others

 

I have been a member of this forum for a while now, but never really

posted. Thanks for all the info that you have given, especially Jo-

Ann Guest and Frank.

 

I would like to share my case with you.

 

I have been taking large dose vitamin B12 and Vitamin B Complex

injections for about 10 years now. I personally administer 5ml (B12)

and 2.5ml (B.Co) every second day when I feel the need; else one or

twice a week as a maintenance dose. I have personally found that it

helps with my depression, Bi polar disorder and chronic fatigue.

 

When I was diagnosed with Bipolar, I was put on some drugs that made

me feel like a living Zombi; not to mention the adverse side effects

that I was having.

I could not take it and went off these drugs. I upped my B12

vitamin injection dose from 2.5ml to 5ml every second day.

(Sometimes 6ml)

 

I was a bit worried that I was doing myself harm and decided to do a

bit of research into it, as I felt that Hi dose vitamin B therapy

was the main and only therapy that really helped me. You can

actually feel the effect when injecting yourself (God! Thank you

that I am only addicted to vitamin B12 *smile*)

I did a lot of internet searching and found that I did not really

have to worry. Check out the write-up by Dr Charles W Lapp, that I

have included at the end of this letter.

 

Today I take a wide spectrum of nutrients, (vitamins, minerals and

oil's) especially high doses of Vitamin B and C. I also take St

Johns Wort and Flaxseed on a daily basis. I have been feeling great;

the best I have felt in my life.

Without being arrogant in any way I must also add that I have been

told that I look more than 10-15 years younger than I am. Also I

feel 15 years younger than the same age friends I have around me.

Yes, I am nearly fifty, but I end up carrying on partying every

Friday night until 3am, even after these friends have gone home at

11:30PM.

 

I firmly believe that high dose Vitamin supplementing (especially B

and C) is the best investment you can make, and the greatest gift

you can reward yourself with. Nutrients coupled with good nutrition,

exercise, a healthy lifestyle and positive thinking, make life

really worth living.

 

I really hope that this info will be of help to others out there.

 

Take care and God Bless

 

Shaun

 

P.S. The following is a Health Related Article from:

ImmuneSupport.com

 

 

Article Entitled: Using vitamin B-12 for the management of Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) by By Charles W Lapp, M.D.

ImmuneSupport.com

 

02-25-2000 In the late 1980s, Dr. Paul Cheney and I heard several

anecdotal reports of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients who

improved when their primary care physicians administered B-12. Given

the scarcity of effective treatment options for CFS, we set out to

try various doses and preparations in our own patients.

This treatment was based on three articles that appeared in the New

England Journal of Medicine demonstrating that persons with CFS-like

neurological symptoms and normal blood counts could benefit from the

administration of vitamin B-12 injections.

In these patients, problems such as numbness or tingling in the

extremities, abnormal gait, memory loss, weakness of the limbs,

changes in mood and personality and even fatigue were improved, and

even resolved, with B-12 therapy. In addition, during this period of

time Dr. Les Simpson was describing how changes in the red blood

cells in persons with CFS reversed when high doses of B-12 were

administered. With this in mind, we began treating patients with

cyanocobalamin (a form of vitamin B-12 that is readily available in

the U.S.) at doses from 1000 mcg weekly to 5000 mcg three times

weekly, given subcutaneously (through injections under the skin).

Patients appeared to have a significant response at approximately

2000-2500 mcg, and reported increased energy levels, improved

stamina or an enhanced sense of wellbeing within 12-24 hours of

administration. The effects lasted two to three days on average.

However, many patients required up to six weeks to achieve regular,

consistent results, and a wide range of dosing proved to be

effective, from 1000 mcg injected daily to 5000 mcg injected three

times per week. To obtain a continuous and satisfactory level of

improvement, we now recommend injections of 3000 mcg of

cyanocobalamin every two to three days.

An informal poll of our patient population revealed that 50-80%

improved to some extent with this simple therapy. However, we found

that oral or nasal spray preparations of B-12 did not produce a

demonstrable effect.

Scientific explanation:

The vast majority of our patients had normal serum B-12 and folate

levels prior to the start of therapy, which indicates that routine

laboratory tests may not reveal a deficiency. It also suggests that

our therapy was effective because vitamin B-12 was not being

absorbed or utilized properly by individual cells.

Difficulties can arise at any point during metabolism of B-12,

resulting in many negative effects on the body, including nerve

damage. Potential problems can include:

--Transport failure-the B-12 does not make it through the cell wall

from the bloodstream. This is problematic because once inside the

cell, B-12 functions as a cofactor, which means that it helps start

important chemical reactions that allow the cell to function.

--Failure to degrade completely-if the process of metabolism is

working correctly, the B-12 compound is broken down in a series of

reactions. When the enzymes (synthetase and reductase) that

facilitate those reactions do not do their job, chemical byproducts

can build up and nerve cells can be damaged.

--Dietary insufficiency-this rarely happens because many of today's

processed foods are supplemented with vitamins, including B-12.

Research findings

Studies from SpectraCell Laboratories using the EMA technique (which

measures the metabolic response of a patient's blood cells to

individual nutrients) demonstrated that more than 70% of 66

individuals with chronic fatigue-not necessarily CFS-demonstrated B-

12 deficiency, compared to about 40% of the normal population. It

follows logically that individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome

would also experience abnormalities in B-12 metabolism.

At The Cheney Clinic, we measured homocysteine and methylmalonate

(organic acids that are elevated when B-12 is not metabolized

properly by cells) in CFS patients. Homocysteine was elevated in 33%

of the individuals tested, methylmalonate in 38%, and both were

elevated in 13%. Thus, about one third of CFS cases could perhaps

have symptoms attributable to B-12 deficiency.

Researchers have hypothesized that the B-12 deficiency seen in CFS

may be due to a genetic abnormality. The enzyme reductase, which

plays a key role in B-12 metabolism, is controlled by multiple

genes. Genes for a trait or enzyme occur in pairs, and how they act

in combination determines how active the enzyme is. Dominant genes

are expressed or translated more fully than recessive genes. Half of

the population has two dominant genes for reductase, which causes

normal activity of the enzyme. Approximately 40% have only one

dominant gene, resulting in only 50% enzymatic activity. And 10% are

homozygous (two recessive genes) with only 30% enzymatic activity.

Swedish researchers examined the genetic makeup of 11 CFS patients

with abnormal B-12 metabolism and determined that those who

responded best to B-12 injections had normal reductase activity, and

those that responded poorly had one or no dominant genes for

reductase.

However, my experience suggests that inability to transport B-12

across the cell membrane is the major cause of abnormal B-12

metabolism in persons with CFS, because large doses of B-12 markedly

improve cognitive ability, mood, irritability and numbness and

weakness in a majority of patients. Those who respond poorly to high

doses of B-12 may have low reductase activity. The latter should

improve somewhat if they supplement their diet with folic acid,

which helps improve the action of this crucial enzyme.. I generally

recommend 1 mg of folic acid daily, in tablet form, for those

individuals who do not respond well or at all to B-12 injections.

Administration

Two forms of B-12 are available to consumers: cyanocobalamin and

hydroxycobalamin. Of the two, I have always preferred cyanocobalamin

because it is less likely to cause adverse reactions and stings much

less than hydroxycobalamin when injected. The cost of high dose B-12

therapy is approximately $8 to $10 per month.

Patients can be taught to administer their own injections of B-12

using the same lcc insulin syringes diabetics use. They will need to

obtain a supply of the B-12 solution from their physician -

cyanocobalamin is typically prepared in 10 ml or 30 ml multi-dose

vials, and should be stored in a cool dark place because both heat

and light degrade the product rapidly. A cabinet or refrigerator are

satisfactory.

Large doses of B-12 could theoretically compete with other B-

vitamins in the cell, so to prevent deficiencies I always recommend

that patients starting injections supplement their diet with

multivitamins containing B-vitamins as well as folate.

Toxicity and adverse effects

Toxicity or " poisoning " from cyanocobalamin, a form of B-12 that is

combined with very small amounts of cyanide, has been the major

cause of patient concern about high-dose B-12 therapy. I have not

encountered any evidence of cyanide toxicity. The amount of cyanide

administered is so minuscule that it affords wide margin of safety

even at doses of 15,000 mcg per week. Although this dose may seem

inordinately large, medical textbooks have long recommended doses of

1000 mcg per day (or 7000 mcg per week) for the treatment of nerve

problems due to B-12 deficiency. The only exception is in

individuals with kidney failure. In patients with normal B-12 levels

and intact kidney function, excess cyanide and B-12 are simply

excreted through the urine.

I have recommended high-dose B-12 to thousands of patients over the

past 10 years and have seen no serious adverse effects. The major

complaint about B-12 from patients is bruising at the injection

site. This is harmless, goes away quickly and can usually be

eliminated by inserting the needle perpendicular to the skin or

using a longer needle. The " bruise " may actually be accidental

leakage of the crimson-colored B-12 solution under the skin.

Although some drug references indicate that idiosyncratic reactions

are not uncommon with B-12, I have only had one patient who

developed hives and chills after an injection, and even that person

could tolerate occasional small doses.

A rare individual will develop a raised red bump at the injection

site, but this is usually attributable to agents added to the B-12

solution to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the vial and not the B-

12 itself. In such cases, the pharmacist can prepare small vials of

B-12 without the bacteria-inhibiting agent. With high doses of B-12,

an acne-like rash also may occur, but the rash usually responds

promptly to a reduction in dosage.

Some patients respond so well to B-12 that they become hyperactive-

nervous and excitable-but this too can usually be resolved by

reducing the dose. Because of this excitatory effect, I recommend

that B-12 be administered in the morning, so that it will not

interfere with sleep.

Very rarely, a patient's urine will be faintly pink-tinged following

a dose of B-12. This " cobalaminuria " occurs intermittently, and

although it looks alarming, seems to be entirely benign.

Is B-12 therapy for you?

B-12 injections are an effective, safe and inexpensive treatment in

the management of CFS. There is evidence that B-12 metabolism at the

cellular level is abnormal in persons with CFS, possibly due to

reduced transport of the vitamin across the cell membrane or

abnormalities in the enzymes that help break it down inside the

cell. The mechanism has yet to be defined, but in my clinical

experience, large doses of B-12 provide improvement in energy and

well-being in a majority of CFS patients. Persons with CFS who are

interested in B-12 therapy and are willing to take an injection two

to three times a week should consult with their physician.

Things to keep in mind about B-12 therapy

1. Don't rule out therapy because of test results. Blood serum

levels do not necessarily reflect a deficiency, so you may need more

B-12 even if your test results are normal.

2. You must be comfortable with injections. Many individuals are not

willing to get a shot two or three times a week. Unfortunately, the

oral or nasal spray preparations are less effective than injections.

3. You can administer the shots yourself. If it is more convenient

for you to inject yourself with B-12 at home, you can ask your

physician to show you how and provide the injection solution.

4. Report adverse reactions. Be sure to tell your physician

immediately if you experience a rash, skin discoloration, chills or

any other reaction following an injection.

5. B-12 does not interact. There have been no reported instances of

B-12 interacting in a negative way with medications or other

nutritional supplements, so you can rest easy if you are taking

other substances to treat your CFFDS.

6. Take a multivitamin a day. B-12 can potentially hinder your

absorption of other vitamins-taking a supplement can help prevent

additional deficiencies.

7. Results might not be immediate. It takes up to six weeks to see

improvement with B-12 therapy, so be patient.

References 1. Lindenbaum J, et al., " Neuropsychiatric disorders

caused by cobalamin deficiency in the absence of anemia or

macrocytosis, " NEIM 1998; 318(26):1720-1728.

2. Beck WS, " Cobalarnin and the nervous system, " NEJM 1988; 318

(26):1752-4.

3. Carmel R, et al., " Hereditary defective cobalamin metabolism

presenting as a neurological disorder in adulthood, " NEIM 1988; 318

(26):1738-1741.

4. Simpson LO, " CIBA Symposium on Myalgic Encephatomeylitis, "

Cambridge University, England, April 1990.

5. Personal communication with Dr. Luke R. Bucci, Director of

Science and Quality at SpectraCell Laboratories, Houston, Texas, in

a letter dated August 12,1994.

6. Regland B et al., " One-carbon metabolism and CFS, " presented at

The Clinical and Scientific Basis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

(international symposium), Sydney, Australia, February 1998.

7. Communications from Dr. Paul Cheney and the Department of

Biochemistry at the University of North Carolina, 1994.

8. Sherertz EF, " Acneiform eruption due to megadose B-6 and B-12, "

Cutis, 1991; 48: 119-120.

 

> > , " pshreiman@ "

<BR>

> > <pshreiman@> wrote:<BR>

> > ><BR>

> > > I am new and have Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibro. Today

and

> <BR>

> > yesterday I<BR>

> > > felt so weak. ackey, dizzy. my name is Pauline. I love alone.

I

> <BR>

> > can't do<BR>

> > > hardly anything. Have tried to to read, crochet, knit and <BR>

> > everything makes<BR>

> > > me sick and tired. I don't know what to do. Am so lonely.

Can't

> <BR>

> > enjoy my<BR>

> > > life.....pauline<BR>

> > > <BR>

> > > ------------------------------

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> -<BR>

> >

>