The answer????????

I have not seen my neurologist yet (week from tomorrow) but I have been researching non stop on what the hell is going on in my body.

Summary of experience:
Early Monday I woke up with a migraine.  Very unusual for me.  Took some advil went back to bed.  The headache subsided and didn't bother me again.

Monday afternoon at work I felt very dizzy for about 5 minutes.

Monday after dinner I prepared tyo go on a walk.  Felt a numbness and dizzyness from head to toe on left side only.  It lasted about 10 minutes but my wife insisted on ER...so we went.  I felt fine the whole way there, then got it again as we approched the hospital.  Lasted 10 min again.

Within 15 minutes after arriving I was preparing for an MRI.  They ran numerous blood tests, EKG, MRI, MRA.  Everything came back normal.  I had one more 10 minute episode in the hospital but went home.  Felt normal the rest of the evening.

Went to bed Monday night.  Woke up in the middle of the night with severe numbness in my hand and half of my face.  My cheek feels like a post cavity treatment.  My hand feels super sensitive to temp, but otherwise numb.  The feelings have not subsided, even for a moment.

The numbness has not affected my legs, for that I am thankful because I can walk, drive, etc.  I have complete muscle control even where it is numb.  Ruled out are all the biggies.  I am also thankful for that.

OKAY, here is my theory.  Vitamin B12 deficincy.  How can that be?  I've had my levels checked faithfully every 6 months and they have been perfect. Have they?  I have been relying on a pill...no sublingual, no injections....just a stupid little pink pill.  Perhaps enough to get into my blood so that the test shows a good level, but not absorbing because of RNY.  If this is the case, a move to sublingual or injections should restore me, but it is possible that the damage is irreversible.  I'm hoping not.  I don't know if I am on the right track, but Spock tells me it is the most logical culprit.  If you are interested in reading what is leading me to this theory (and if you are relying on a stupid little pink pill and you have had RNY, you should be) CLICK HERE

If this is indeed true, all of our bariatric teams need to be aware.  PCPs need to know how you are getting in your B12.

How do you get yours?  Where do you buy yours?  Reply to this post and learn from eachother.  Yes its a theory, but it makes sense and as of today I'm gonna get an injection or take sublingual if I can find it.  I don't wish this on ANYONE.  

I have been wondering how you are, Paul.  Thanks for the insight.  I am currently taking the sublingual B-12, my surgeon/nurse told me it won't absorb any other way.  I am tempted to do the monthly injection, just so I don't have to remember to take it every day.  I get mine from Bariatric Advantage, but I know Target has a sublingual B12 as well, I think it's 2500mcg instead of 1000, but I've been told you can't OD on it, whatever your body doesn't need, it will get rid of, so no problem to take more.  I hope that, if this is the problem, the effects are reversible.  What has your research shown?  Hang in there and good luck with the neurologist.

Therese,
I have the same surgeon as you and he told me that the most effective B12 is the injection once a month. this reminds me I'm due. I havn't had my level checked yet but hope my levels will be good.

Wow - those are scary things happening! If it IS B-12 def, then for sure I'm going with the injections after surgery! I sure hope nothing is permament - and that you soon discover what it is.

My best to you---Sue

Very interesting!  I had thought of Bells Palsy when you first told us about this.  Probably not though?  This article was great information for me since I am pre op and surely will ask my surgeon about this although I do see that I am instructed to take it sublingual.  Hope this all goes away or you get down to the bottom and can resolve it.
Donna

I started off taking a b-12 pill, not sublingual, but switched to the injection 2 months ago. First injection was given to me at the DR, last month I did it myself. I should have done it myself, AT the doctors office though, because I was scared and ended up poking myself 1/2 dozen times before eventually getting the needle in my leg and then was left with a big ole bruise.

It's too bad your appointment is still a week away, is that the soonest you can get in?  I hope whatever is going on with you isn't permenant and that you get an answer next week. 

Wow that is something else. I always take a sublingual B-12 and I take more than once a week even though they I only need to take it once a week.

Sometimes it seems all we truly have is self theories when it comes to problems within our bodies.

So way to sleuth Paul and hopefully you have found your answer and can start getting better.
And thanks for updating us and sharing your theories. 

 

I believe I have read along my travels in life that nerves can regenerate themselves and so I envision good health returning to you.

 

Numbness is a horrid thing when it forst comes on.  With time though if there are no answers it becomes the norm and you learn to function around the numbness.  With even more time though the body often can and will heal itself.  I've had no answers as for why my arms, hands, legs and feet go numb.  I believe with me it is infringement on my nerves.  With the passing of time though it does not seem to phase me when it happens, or when it stays permanently for a stretch of time.  I know that is hard to hear right now perhaps, but I guess what I am saying is that is is not debilitating for life.  There is an adjustment period and then slowly it becomes the norm and then it seems many years down the road as if it starts repairing itself somehow.

 

Hopefully though yours is as simple as the Vitamin deficiency, and now I'm off to research B12 in case it may also be the root of my numerous problems.  And for sharing that tidbit I thank you as may others.

I hope the answer is as simple as that! I don't take B12 obviously but that is a very important concern that you bring.

Paul:

Thank you for sharing this with us.  I take a GNC subliingual B12 tablet every day, but my program does no labs between surgery and 1 year out.  Based on your experiences and post, I plan to grill them about B12 levels at my 1 year appointment next month.

RP