B-12 question. My B-12 level is low. When I looked up low B-12 it mentions dementia connections. Dad's B-12 was low.....
The bottoms of my feet burn and ache (can be B-12 related according to article) Dad's feet burned and hurt...you see where this is going.
As the adult child of a person who had Alzheimer's (and who has becme very forgetful) it scares the beegeebers out of me. Anyway, I started taking my B-12 supplements (which I had FORGOTTEN about )

So do any of you have any B-12 stories, advice, assurances or warning?

I love this forum. Thank you Aitan.

Hey Deb- I read a study the other day as well about the correlation between B12 deficiency and increased levels of homocysteine. They spoke about some of the symptoms being a decrease in cognitive function, depression, poor memory, and digestive impairment (it binds with intrinsic factor in the stomach to aid in intestinal absorption). The study tested individuals considered at risk for dementia and gave them a daily supplementation of 2 mg of folic acid and 1 mg vitamin B12 for 12 weeks. The findings were that it lowered homocysteine levels by 30%. Homocysteine is a waste product that has been found to damage brain arteries causing mini strokes, which can lead to dementia. Definitely not a bad idea to supplement B12 in your diet, as well as folic acid. Testing homocysteine levels isn't a bad idea either. A lot of this research is so new that they aren't sure if long-term supplementation will truly help prevent or delay AD, but I say why not give it a shot, it can only help

Deelynn,
I don't know much about B-12, but I have an Uncle who swears by it. He has pernicious (sp) anemia (sp), and he used to take weekly shots. But the doctor wouldn't give him any more unless he came in to see him, and my Uncle is not a "doctor person", he believes everything that you have can be cured with vitamins, vitamins and more vitamins.

He heard about some B-12 vitamin on the radio (would you believe), and decided to order some. I guess you put it under your tongue, and let it melt there. Supposedly it goes through the body faster that way.

That was a year ago. He hasn't had a shot since and he says he feels wonderful. He also takes some big green horse pill that has who knows what in it.

He constantly tries to get everyone to take that B-12. He finally convinced my sister and brother to try it a few weeks ago. He even gave them a two week supply of his to take.

Funny you should bring this up now, because about 2 weeks ago, my brother had told me he let my uncle convince him to take it, and he started. He said he feels great. So much more energy. My sister too, she said she feels so much better.

Were going there for dinner on tuesday. I'm going to let him give me those damn B-12's now. Especially since lately I've also been worried about the AD for myself. Everytime I forget something, I start thinking, Oh God, here it comes. And many times when I read longer posts, I have to read and reread them constantly before I retain the whole thing.

And as I was writing this, I noticed Aitanz reply. But I do think I might check with my doctor first. I take meds for high blood pressure, cholestrol, and a anti-depressant, so I woundn't want a bad mix.

Oh by the way, My uncle is 80 yrs old. And forgets "nothing", and could probably run circles around me. His wife, My aunt also takes it. She still works two days a week, is a partime caregiver for a cousin of hers, bakes and makes most things homemade.

I gotta go get some fast.

Love,
jackie

Thats for the information Aiton. Would homocystene levels be listed on a CBC lab results? I'll have to dig it out and see. I'm sure taking the supplements can't hurt a thing and might help.

They seem to always test for B-12 levels Deb, because the symptoms are similiar to AD. And it is an easy fix. Everyone needs B-!2 who is under STRESS? Who us? LOL! It turns your pee-pee yellow, and my understanding is that you just pee out what you don't need, so pretty harmless stuff. And it gives you more energy.....Hmmmmm...I should try some!

I'm not even taking Calicium? I have an appointment with my GYN on Friday, and she is pretty smart (to say the least) so I will ask her what someone..he..he..hum...over 50...he...he..hum..should be taking. I don't take anything, unless I am coming down with a cold!

I believe a CBC doesn't test for homocysteine levels, but it does test for mean corpuscular volume, this tests for the average red blood cell volume. A high value can mean deficiencies of B12 or Folate... but homocysteine I believe is a separate test. Also in regards to my previous post, I meant it could not hurt in an individual who has no other medical problems, so you should ABSOLUTELY speak to a physician before taking any supplement if you have any medical history (especially cardiac related).

When my DH was last at his PCP, and his MMSE dropped from 26 down to 16 the PCP had the homocystine level checked, made a referal to the Neurologist (finally decided he'd be better served by a neurologist). She also called at the end of the day and ordered 2cc injections of B12 monthly, which I give to him. In his particular case he's so far had just two injections, but there is absolutely NO change in him.

Hey Deelynn,

Like you, I was concerned about my dementia risk and heard about B-12. I took it regularly for awhile. It seemed to give me a little more energy. I didn't feel as tired all the time.

For more info, here's a link to the National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12.asp

B-12 can interact with other meds - so look at that section.

And another link from a trusted source, the Mayo Clinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitami ... vitaminb12

I have bad anemia and I freaked when I first heard about the b12 and dementia link. I've cooled my jets about it now but when MIL first got it, I went alittle supplement crazy.

I do take b12 and fish oil since that's supposed to be healthy for the brain. MIL won't take any supplements, nary an aspirin too if she has an ache.

Kat

Just information for thought. My Mother had just turned 80 when diagnosed with AD - my guess, about mid-stage. She didn't push the healthy lifestyle but certainly demonstrated it by example. She had taken vitamins all her adult life, read about and could recite which supplements could be taken together, subscribed to numerous health/nutritional magazines, ate and cooked healthy foods, ate veggies and fruits way over the recommended amount (probably we were both heading toward a vegetarian lifestyle if AD had not visited), walked a mile (and sometimes more) almost daily, meditated and prayed daily and often, was thin and very energetic, devoured spiritual and philosophical books constantly, could quote chapter and verse from the Bible at the drop of a hat, worked crossroads and put 1000 piece puzzles together with me, and the list was endless. This was all going on until just a few months before the diagnosis date. I can even recall telling her doc one day, about a year or two prior, that I wasn't concerned about Mom getting AD because she just didn't fit the profile. Well, you can imagine my surprise in April 2003.

In looking back, do I think all of the above helped her since it did not prevent the AD. Yes, I think she was able to navigate through and prolong the early rounds of AD because of her healthy lifestyle. I think she had bought herself several years of quality living before the diagnosis. I say this because when I really started looking look back for answers, I thought of two very subtle signs starting around 1997 or 1998 - rare occasions when there was just a slight shakiness to her handwriting, rare occasions when there was difficulty in balancing her checkbook. I refer to these as rare occasions because they were just so subtle I didn't give a second thought to them back then. Now they seem as evident as seeing the tornado's destructive path.

I seem to be rambling. I guess what I'm really trying to say is perhaps if we can achieve some harmony, some balance in our lives, we may be able to buy ourselves some time for a little more quality living. In order for me to do that, I must go within to seek answers, and if not answers, at least seek the questions and ask of those who can offer guidance to the answers.

With numbers rising and predictions of catastrophic increases as noteworthy decreases of other major diseases are announced, why are we relegated to the backseat? We cheer when a few dozen or perhaps several thousand commit to our walks and our silent auctions and other activities, most of which may not even generate local publicity let alone state and national publicity. If tens of thousands or a million can march in our nation's capitol for their causes, why can we not do the same? If November is National Alzheimer's Month, then why can't was have a national Alzheimer's year in which we unite and demand real treatment and find a cure.

Boy, I had better stop and get off my soapbox. Think I'll have a little breakfast in hopes I can get my feet a little more planted this morning.

Oh, heck, just one more thing - we have got to be counted, not as a number but as a loved one, as a caregiver. Okay, that's all, folks!!!

Love to each of you,

Joyce

Dear Joyce,

Amen sister!! I've said it before but I think there isn't as much participation in dementia advocacy because the ones who truly know the struggle are caregivers who are worn-out and barely have time for themselves.

I laughed at what you said about your soapbox. Why do they get such a bad rap?

Anyone who knows me from message boarding knows I've got a big 'un. Hee.

So here's my "rant" for the day - and for those of you who've already heard it - my advance apologies.

I think you raised a good point Joyce. The healthy lifestyle didn't stop the disease but probably slowed it down or at least gave her more years of quality. Few can argue the benefits of trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. I guess the part where the Alzheimer's awareness frightens me is that all the articles on "maintain your brain" and "prevention" could really put the wrong idea into the general public's head. (I'm not saying you're doing this - I'm talking outloud to myself here - about my concerns about the media and groups like the Alzheimer's Association)

These articles seem to give the sense that Alzheimer's can be prevented. Or, conversely, that if you develop dementia it was through some fault of your own.

To me, those are very dangerous messages to put out there. I mean, I get what they're saying and it's probably along the lines of the wisdom you shared Joyce. But regular Joe Schmoe might get the wrong idea.

I once had someone at work as me (in regard to Mom's dementia), "Did she drink a lot?" True, alcohol abuse can lead to dementia but was he implying that people w/dementia must be heavy drinkers? That offended me.

Words and media are very powerful tools. They can work wonders and they can also be ruinous. Of course, I'm biased. I spent the last 15 years trying to choose the perfect words and phrasing all the time. But I felt a great responsibility when doing it and I think those working w/ dementia awareness should, too. Advocate groups just can't write something down, sling it out there and not consider all the possible implications.

Ok, end of my lecture on mass media and advocacy pitfalls.

On a more humorous note - I think I might choose the alternate path. Eat biscuits 'n' gravy, drink, smoke and at the end I'll say, "Well, I did have a darn good ol' time." But that's the ornery little worm in me.

Starrynight, I like "ornery little worm" messages! Mine's always wanting beer and pepperoni pizza instead of veggie pizza and a diet drink. If I'm being honest about "Willie," he probably does win out more times than not.

Have a great day!

Joyce