Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses by Sally M. Pacholok RN, Jeffrey J. Stuart DO
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Book Reviews of Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses
Book Review: Do you suffer from Memory Loss, Tremors, or Forgetfulness?
Summary: 5 Stars
Not long ago I was suffering from occasional memory loss, tremors, and was having difficulty with thinking clearly...and I'm only 45. Eventually my speech was also affected and I started to have trouble finding the exact words that I wanted to say. With all of these symptoms, seeing a neurologist was a logical step. Since my MRI was normal, she ordered additional testing but also wanted to test my Vitamin B12 level, since low levels can cause memory loss. That lab made all the difference in the world and it came back that I have Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is more serious than you think, and if you read this book, you'll find out why. This deficiency mimics many diseases that may or may not sound familiar: memory loss, forgetfulness, tremors, depression, psychosis, fatigue, infertility, and gastrointestinal problems, just to name a few. All it takes is a simple blood test to find out.
The good news is that B12 deficiency is treatable, curable (in most cases) and inexpensive to treat. After being treated for the past few months I have recovered between 85-90%, so there is hope! Time is an important factor though--if you have B12 deficiency and do not treat it, the damage that it does can be permanent, so early treatment is the key.
I urge anyone who has these symptoms to get this simple test and read this book. It could change your life or someone you love.
A Jan 2009 follow-up:
It has now been a few years since I was initially diagnosed and am doing well. I can always tell if I am running low on my levels (a rarity) because one of the first signs is difficulty with finding the right words. Initially I was found to be allergic to the injectable form of cyanocobalamin (severe rash) and so I had to switch to oral (sublingual form) Methylcobalamin, a very effective form of B12. Taking between 2-3 tabs (2-3 mg or 2000-3000mcgs) have kept my levels normal for years. This is a lifelong deal. Once, when I went off my B12 for testing and other purposes, my levels plunged by more than half in just one week, so always make sure you take your B12 daily.
Book Review: Excellent resource regarding B12 deficiency
Summary: 5 Stars
Recently I was diagnosed with B12 deficiency, after struggling with anemia, exhaustion, and a decreased immune system for much of my 20's. I can hardly believe what a difference B12 shots have made in my life. I'm half Scandinavian, and at least one of my Norwegian cousins has this deficiency, too, which can run in families. I have been researching everything I could find on B12 deficiency. Sally Pacholok, RN, and her husband, Jeffery Stuart, DO, have written a well-researched book on the symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment for B12. I wish the book dealt a little more with some of the recovery process, but the book is very thorough and well-researched.
The 13 chapters are as follows:
1. An Invisible Epidemic
2. Is It Aging--or Is It B12 Deficiency?
3. Deadly Mimic: When B12 Deficiency Masquerades as Multiple Sclerosis or Other Neurological Disorders
4. Am I Losing My Mind? When B12 Deficiency Causes Mental Illness
5. Stroke, Heart Disease, and Other Vascular Problems: The B12-Homocysteine Connection
6. Lost Children: When B12 Deficiency Causes Developmental Disabilities or Learning Problems
7. Vitamin B12 and Cancer, Impaired Immune Function, and Autoimmune Disease
8. Under the Knife: Why Low B12 Levels Make Surgery Dangerous
9. Can't Conceive? How B12 Deficiency Contributes to Male and Female Infertility
10. Protecting Yourself: Are You at Risk for Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
11. Information for Physicians
12. Speculation: The Possible Role of Vitamin B12 in Autism
13. A Call for a United Effort
This book is well-written, interspersing case studies/stories with research, and is a fairly easy read. If you have B12 deficiency, or have family or patients with B12 deficiency, this book is highly recommended.
Book Review: It WAS B-12 defiency !!!
Summary: 5 Stars
No doctors could determine what was WRONG with me...Over years, I was prescribed hormones, anti-depressants, blood pressure meds, allergy shots, and had surgery for nerve pain, cortisone shots for carpal tunnel-like wrist and hand pain, physical therapy. yet nothing ever got to the bottom line cause. So, I made a decision. With my husband's support, I slowly ceased my medications that had caused such side-effects and offered NO cures, and I gave up seeking medical help. I continued to pray and hope. After long searching and going down maybe for the last time with wobbling gait, stumbling and two falls, confusion, memory issues, ear-ringing, shallow breathing, muscle weakness, unhealthy low weight.... I did continue to PRAY for bottom-line truth!.....Then Lord alone met my need,giving me some life-saving revelations, mostly through "Could It Be B-12".
I have referred this book to a number of friends having the same symptoms and frustrations..... I praise God for saving my life through the persistant labor of these two medically-trained authors.
At this time I am self-injecting with cyanocobalomine daily and have at long last (months)am regaining strength, sleep, more stamina and lots of HOPE! A verse in Daniel 2 of the Bible a verse reads, "there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries"... I trust His promises.
Update: A few weeks after the above review, I have begun to use injections of the more advanced form of B-12, methylcobalamine, because my B-12 deficiency had undiagnosed for so long and my neurological symptoms had already gotten severe. I hope the extra expense of this form will be worth it...my prayer is that I will be restored !! Happily, I use fewer injections than I have with my initial cyanocobalamine form.
Book Review: My B12 Story
Summary: 5 Stars
I was diagnosed in May 2009 with a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, but it took three doctors and three months to reach the diagnosis. After seeing my primary doctor three times and two trips to the lab for blood tests, he referred me to a neurologist. I saw the neurologist twice with blood work after both visits. He suspected MS and referred me to another neurologist who tested me for GBS. I tested negative so he sent me for blood work and an MRI of my brain, neck and spinal cord. Based on my symptoms and testing negative for numerous things, he suspected ALS. But fortunately, he screened by B12 level and it was 131! He immediately started me with daily B12 injections. I soon discovered the "Could It Be B12?" book and read it as fast as I could. Wow! What a wealth of knowledge it contains. The best thing I learned from the book is the different forms of B12, such as cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin. I was originally prescribed cyanocobalamin because it's the most common and least expensive form. But it has a trace of cyanide in it which I don't want flowing through my blood stream. Also, the book indicates that methylcobalamin is better for treating neurological symptoms, which I had. The good news is I had a full recovery! It took four months with daily B12 shots plus supplementing with sublinguals and B12 creme. I had 28 symptoms, the worse of which were fatigue, insomnia, muscle atrophy & weakness and difficulty walking. I still take daily shots and will probably continue to do so for life. My B12 level was checked in October and January, 2000 both times! No harm. B12 is non-toxic so there's no such thing as a B12 overdose. Better to take more than I need than to become deficient again!
Book Review: YOU COULD SAVE A LIFE BY READING THIS BOOK!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is too important not to read! By reading this book and better understanding b12, you most likely could help save at least one person you know from the crippling effects of a b12 deficiency. After reading this book, I feel, that many members of my family may be suffering unknowingly from a b12 deficiency. Now, I have the knowledge to urge my family to get tested.
I am a female in my 30's, I was diagnosed with "borderline" b12 levels a few weeks ago. My b12 serum level was 264. I went to the Dr. because I was having heart palpitations, chest pain and shooting pains in my neck. I had a couple of major tests done along with some bloodwork. That is when my Dr.'s office called and told me my b12 serum levels. It was then, I started researching b12 and found this excellent book. Unfortunately, I was given the b12 shot before I started reading this book. I could have had more accurate testing done that would have left no doubts to my deficiency. Now, after reading this book I have the tools to be proactive in my own treatment, I know what tests to ask for to find out WHY I have a b12 deficiency and I know which form of b12 is best for me.
This book was well written and is easy to understand, it also has stories of people who have been misdiagnosed all through the book, which keeps your attention and helps you understand the true importance an accurate and timely diagnosis can bring.
I will be pre-ordering the 2nd edition of this book and will be anxiously awaiting it's arrival this coming May.
Thanks, Sally and Jeffrey for writing this book! Now, we must do our part by making people aware and spreading the word. God Bless you both!