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problems with walking. Possible causes?

Messages
23
Hello to everyone. I am 22 years old and four months ago I was diagnosed with b12 defiiency - 161 ug/ ml. At the beginning I had these popular symptoms - numbness, mind fog etc. But as the process evolved my legs started to get painful, and knees became very weak, I couldn't stand on my toes etc. The symptoms began two years and a half ago. I was vegetarian for three years or so and symptoms began at that time. So I started to eat meat one year ago, but my symptoms didn't improve a bit. At the end I had such a hard swelling in my legs that it was impossible for me to sleep, my mind was completely blank and I thought I will die. So now, after four months of supplementing - mb12, magnesium, now mfolate and potassium obviously I feel the difference, because I don't feel that much pain while walking, but the thing is that I still feel very heavy in my legs and sometimes when I use folate and mb12 I get this sensation of overall swelling in my body. Walking is still very uncomfortable and my memory isn't what it used to be. So the question is does b12 deficiency really can cause difficulty walking and stretching ankles ( My ankles when stretched doesn't go at straight angle ( 90 grades) ). Maybe that's a question for those b12 specialists here, who know if these kind of problems could be related to b12 deficiency, because as far as I know, I don't have an anemia, because my hemaglobin is rather fine. Thanks. (also I have weird muscles around calves especially ankles, that place where heel is attached to bone looks
fat to me, not like every normal person. (Could swelling cause weird, distorted looking legs?) Also I experienced joint cracking that is still there. My left hip is turned awkardly so when I want to put my right leg on left leg while sitting I feel difficulty doing so, but not the other way round. Also I have dark blue veins on calves and they have become more visible and at places distorted.
 
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Messages
97
Have you had an appointment with a neurologist? My problems started 3 years ago with b12 deficiency and I had many of your symptoms. I was not treated adequately and now have nerve damage in both arms and legs. Still trying to figure out what is causing problem. I have many overlapping conditions.

If you are supplementing with b12 and folate, make sure to also include a balanced multi B vitamin/ multi vitamin. The other b levels can drop as your body trys to repair. Just found out my B1 is low as well. Probably from malabsorption and going gluten free without proper supplements. Most regular MD's have not been helpful, but I think I landed a winner of a neurologist. Willing to test and listen. Good luck.
 
Messages
23
Yes I had an appointment with neurologist. That was when I was diagnosed with b12 deficiency. My neurologist said that probably my symptoms where due to vegetarian diet. But maybe they could be caused by something else? Maybe the swelling is what causes my ankles and calves to look somewhat weird and fatty? I doubt that I have problem with absorption because previously to that I didn't had any kind of symptoms at all. But I am supplementing for four months already, and I heard that b12 deficiency is treatable in much shorter time than that.
 

Critterina

Senior Member
Messages
1,238
Location
Arizona, USA
Hi @LaDiDa
Swelling of both feet and ankles can be congestive heart failure, which would also impair your ability to walk. And there are probably a million other causes. Please see a doctor right away when this happens.
Best of health to you!
Critterina
 
Messages
23
I already have visited doctor, one of them said to drink magnesium and the other prescribed cyano-cobalamin for me. Yes, but when I started to supplement with b12 that horrible swelling stopped, specially helpful was neurorubin ( or smth like that I forgot the name). Maybe there is a way to ask directly to Fredd or such experts whether my symptoms are b12 related and if so could they be healed, because I am supplementing for four months already, maybe I do smth wrong?
 

Johnmac

Senior Member
Messages
756
Location
Cambodia
I'd think methyl &/or adenosyl B12 deficiency could cause all the above.

When you start to supplement with the above, often energy returns, & central nervous system rebuilding takes longer. (Tho you have age on your side.) Please don't take cyanocobalamin.

For recovery, you need to be taking (i) the two right kinds of B12 (above); (ii) enough B12 (swallowing a tablet orally is all but useless; sublingual is better; transdermal is best); and (iii) take the right support supplements. What constitutes the latter is controversial. Personally I take some methylfolate, selenium, iodine & above all 40 mg/day of vitamin B2. The last makes the B12 works tons better: I can feel the change immediately.

B12 supplementation has brought many people older & sicker than you back to relative health - so you can legitimately be hopeful.
 
Messages
23
Ok. To Johnmac: central nervous systems' problems involve brain fog and difficulty to walk, also? So by now it's almost half a year since supplementing for me, and difficulty to walk still persist, I wanted to upload some photos of my legs and see if that could make sense regarding my problems with walking, the most valuable thing would be to learn if such a problem can be related to b12 deficiency at all.
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photo%20(2).JPG
 

Johnmac

Senior Member
Messages
756
Location
Cambodia
Hi @LaDiDa,

Yep, all the above can be nervous system & thus B12-related.

If you have a diagnosed B12 deficiency + difficulty walking, I know the conclusion I'd be reaching if it were my body. But I can't advise you - no training to do so.

I do know that the scientist at B12Oils has sold his transdermal oils to people with problems like yours, who have in time improved. You could drop him a line, as he is a nice guy with a ton of B12 & CFS knowledge, & never tries to sell you anything.

Happy to help more, but can only tell you stuff on the basis of my limited experience.
 
Messages
23
So the best b12 supplement I can possibly take is enzymatic therapy b12? Or injectable supplements are better?
 

Johnmac

Senior Member
Messages
756
Location
Cambodia
I believe Freddd said Enzymatic were one of the best sublingual ones. (There are apparently many duds.) They worked for me.

I think it's hard to beat injectable for uptake (near 100%, vs. 5%(?) for sublingual.

Transdermal is my current favourite, as you get high penetration/uptake, it's very easy, & it doesn't rot your teeth.
 
Messages
23
Well one more question: if I have already memory problems, does sublingual b12 helps or only shots are useful, and if very stiff muscles can be caused by b12 deficiency? ( I'am supplementing for six months and my leg muscles are still enormously stiff).
 

Johnmac

Senior Member
Messages
756
Location
Cambodia
Well one more question: if I have already memory problems, does sublingual b12 helps or only shots are useful, and if very stiff muscles can be caused by b12 deficiency? ( I'am supplementing for six months and my leg muscles are still enormously stiff).

A bit beyond my knowledge base. Transdermal has worked a lot better for me than sublingual, tho of course many people (including myself) got a lot better on sublingual.

No idea what your stiff muscles might be caused by. This sounds like one for @Freddd. But becoming replete again in B12 does tend to repair the peripheral nervous system (remyelination). People with walking problems have been able to walk again. But of course how that relates to your case I don't know.
 
Messages
7
Well one more question: if I have already memory problems, does sublingual b12 helps or only shots are useful, and if very stiff muscles can be caused by b12 deficiency? ( I'am supplementing for six months and my leg muscles are still enormously stiff).

@LaDiDa I'm doing Freddd's protocol and developed very stiff muscles, so much so that I could barely walk. Magnesium citrate (and glycinate) powder stopped this so I'd obviously developed a serious deficiency. I had been taking magnesium citrate pills but obviously wasn't absorbing much of them because I found the powder much more effective.
 
Messages
23
So I bought b12 from that Oxford and also water for injections, but I am not sure if this water for injections is right, can something go wrong with it?
 

Johnmac

Senior Member
Messages
756
Location
Cambodia
Hello to everyone. I am 22 years old and four months ago I was diagnosed with b12 defiiency - 161 ug/ ml. At the beginning I had these popular symptoms - numbness, mind fog etc. But as the process evolved my legs started to get painful, and knees became very weak, I couldn't stand on my toes etc. The symptoms began two years and a half ago. I was vegetarian for three years or so and symptoms began at that time. So I started to eat meat one year ago, but my symptoms didn't improve a bit. At the end I had such a hard swelling in my legs that it was impossible for me to sleep, my mind was completely blank and I thought I will die. So now, after four months of supplementing - mb12, magnesium, now mfolate and potassium obviously I feel the difference, because I don't feel that much pain while walking, but the thing is that I still feel very heavy in my legs and sometimes when I use folate and mb12 I get this sensation of overall swelling in my body. Walking is still very uncomfortable and my memory isn't what it used to be. So the question is does b12 deficiency really can cause difficulty walking and stretching ankles ( My ankles when stretched doesn't go at straight angle ( 90 grades) ). Maybe that's a question for those b12 specialists here, who know if these kind of problems could be related to b12 deficiency, because as far as I know, I don't have an anemia, because my hemaglobin is rather fine. Thanks. (also I have weird muscles around calves especially ankles, that place where heel is attached to bone looks
fat to me, not like every normal person. (Could swelling cause weird, distorted looking legs?) Also I experienced joint cracking that is still there. My left hip is turned awkardly so when I want to put my right leg on left leg while sitting I feel difficulty doing so, but not the other way round. Also I have dark blue veins on calves and they have become more visible and at places distorted.

Having learned & experienced more since last I posted, your symptoms - unusual gait, difficulty walking, are copper deficiency symptoms according to the texts; and @Freddd has written that varicose veins & the like are too.

Group 5 – Copper deficiency after methylation startup has been achieved which often starts refeeding syndrome. 50mg or more of zinc has been indicated as a possible cause. 200-400 mg of zinc has been linked to copper deficiency. Excess supplemental or environmental manganese is linked to copper deficiency. Any or all symptoms can occur at “low normal range” copper tests.

Demyelination of nerves similar to Sub Acute Combined Degeneration except that methylation and ATP startup has occurred, and copper deficiency favors damage to the upper motor neurons with perceived muscle weakness. Brittle nails. Sleep disorders. Mood (especially depression perhaps) and personality changes. Connective tissue breakdown. Spider veins. Varicose veins. Shrinking gums. Gum disease not responsive to usual measures. Unstoppable tooth decay on exposed areas without enamel. Low testosterone.


Copper deficiency often enough occurs with B12 deficiency.

No-one can diagnose you by Internet. Just some suggestions.
 
Messages
23
Hi, thanks for insight. Now that I'am using injectable b12, I have been experiencing again some wierd symptoms - watery eyes, flu and fever, although I almost never got ill in the past. I feel weird aching throughout my body, especially legs. But I will try to diagnose if I have copper deficiency, thanks. By the way I didn't supplement with zinc ever.
 

Johnmac

Senior Member
Messages
756
Location
Cambodia
Hi, thanks for insight. Now that I'am using injectable b12, I have been experiencing again some wierd symptoms - watery eyes, flu and fever, although I almost never got ill in the past. I feel weird aching throughout my body, especially legs. But I will try to diagnose if I have copper deficiency, thanks. By the way I didn't supplement with zinc ever.

Okay thanks. No zinc supps lowers the chances of it being copper deficiency.

However copper deficiency resulted in me getting a weird flu (I never get flu), as well as raging bacterial & viral infections on my skin.

Sheep with copper deficiency get leg problems - stiffness & weird gait.

Once again, I have no idea what your cause is. I just happen to know about copper deficiency, & so thought I'd run the idea past you.

Yes, vegetarianism often leads to big deficiencies. (Prince was a vegan.) I have a vego friend of 40 with severe memory loss & psych symptoms - no B12, no iron, no nothing. By the way, my friend did his iron panels & was told his irons were normal. (His ferritin was 30.) Luckily I knew this was wrong, & insisted they give him an infusion. It made a night & day difference, as did the second infusion - a big leap in mental functioning & clarity each time.

Are you getting the methyl B12 injected? The type is pretty important.
 

Johnmac

Senior Member
Messages
756
Location
Cambodia
Messages
23
I inject myself with methyl b12, but am afraid if any light gets it while I am injecting. Also I wonder if b12 patches is good option, for I am not fond of injecting myself that regulary and sublinguals damage my teeth. By the way, do you see these pictures that I sended, because for me it just shows IMG. Last time I injected b12 I get sudden dizzy feeling and after that I got fever. Last time I did my blood analysis my iron levels were in yhe middle of the norm, but as I started to supplementing I started to felt ache in my bones or smth, I wonder it it could be a sign of iron deficiency?