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: Lifesaver!
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't express how grateful I am for this book! Saying thanks isn't enough. I was suffering from debilitating fatigue and neurological symptoms for years and after seeing 20 doctors of all kinds, no one could find out WHY. Then I saw this book at the library and thought, could it be? That day changed my life. The book explained everything to me. But then I was in a panic to get B12 shots because maybe I was going to be too late before the damage done to my nerves was irreversible. I began shots immediately and started a resurgence. But I didn't have the test done recommended in the book, so some months later, I was just taking B12 sublingual pills instead of the shots. BIG mistake. Started a steep decline in health, once again having horrible things happening. Went to get a new round of tests, and sure enough, my B12 was low. I also found out I have pernicious anemia, which then explained the entire gradual decline of my health going back several years. Now I know, and I'll NEVER quit the B12 shots again! I would not have known anything without this book. It's been truly a God-send. And lately a good friend was in the hospital twice with numbness along one side of his entire body, but no doctors could figure out why. I gave him this book and he got tested, and sure enough, he has pernicious anemia, too! Be ready to be amazed at how many people you know, maybe yourself included, who have a B12 deficiency and how many ways it can manifest in health problems. I am truly thankful to the authors for being persistent in their campaign to make this epidemic visible. Thank you, thank you so much! You have saved my life; you have given me my life back.Book Review: Physician's Critique
Summary: 5 Stars
As a primary care physician I read Ms. Pacholok's book "Could It
Be B12?" with great interest. In the early 1950's a vitamin B12 shot was a sign-off gesture by many primary care doctors at the close of a Pt's visit. It seemed as though everyone got a B12 shot for no apparent documented reason. You must understand that laboratory testing in those days was awkward, expensive, and impractical. My own mother went monthly to our family GP for her routine B12 shot. She swore by it. As progress in medicine was made it became apparent that either the United States was the world's capital of pernicious anemia or perhaps B12 shots were a doctor's way to make a fast buck. With this type of prevailing sentiment anyone who wanted to be taken seriously as an ethical physician shunned the practice of "routine" Vitamin B12 shots. I do believe this stigma prevails to this day. Just mention B12 deficiency as a possible cause for any disorder and you're likely to see a smirk come across the doctor's face as those mental neurons flash back in recollection of those charlatans of an earlier era. But now unlike then we have an easily obtainable and accurate test for Vitamin B12 deficiency. I do believe medicine's nihilistic attitude toward B12 based on the past makes for a mental block on behalf of a lot of doctors to even consider B12 deficiency on their list of differential diagnoses. This is unfortunate. My only advice to the public is as Ms. Pacholok advocates: 1. Avoid shot gun B12 therapy; 2. Insist that you and your loved ones with signs and symptoms get tested. It's the right thing to do. I enjoyed the book and give it a 5 star rating.
Dr. Anonymous
Book Review: This book accurately chronicles the devastation caused by B12 deficiency
Summary: 5 Stars
I am an MD, a nutritional physician, and a psychiatrist (Canadian-board-certified) who has been studying vitamin B12 extensively since 1976, and applying that knowledge in my private nutritional, metabolic and psychiatric practice in Tucson AZ since 1994 (and Portsmouth VA before that).
This book is an outstanding compilation of anecdotes, references and experiences on the "underground devastator" of our society. The reason why this is not common knowledge in the medical profession in the US is because the laboratory "normal range" is way too low. In Japan the range is 2.5 times higher at its low end - and Japan has very little "Alzheimer's Dementia", and less depression and bipolar disorders, than we do in the US.
In the 26 years that I have been investigating B12, memory disorders and depressive/ bipolar illnesses, NO patient who came to me with a memory problem (early Alzheimer's) has gone on to Alzheimer's dementia, and I have a near-perfect track record in helping people overcome depression and bipolar disorders. These outcomes are largely due to my permanent optimization of every patient's serum B12 level.
Congratulations to Ms Sally Pacholok RN on an outstanding recording of most of the important facts and treatments for this serious condition. I believe it to be the best book out there for a combination of both medical and lay readers on this condition.
[To anyone reading this review: Please do not simply go and buy B12 tablets or lozenges and start taking them, before getting an accurate serum level measured.]
John V Dommisse MD, MBChB, FRCP(C)
Tucson, AZ, USA
Book Review: This Book Should Be Required Reading For All MDs"
Summary: 5 Stars
For years I have been mis-diagnosed with ever thing from Thyroid Disease to Hypoglycemia. About a year ago I started haveing numbness and tingleing in both of my feet, it kept getting worse and I had a Venous Deficenicy test ran and it came back negative, my Vascular Suergon; correctly diagnosed my condition as Neuropathy, but he said we need to find out what caused it. He called my Internist MD and told him, that he needed to run some "Out Of The Norm" blood work on me as some conditions dont always show up; in a standard blood work up. By this time I had read some of Nurse Pacoloks Book "Could it be B-12". The book correctly gives the Symtoms and Mimics that a B-12 Deficiency can cause. Shew was right, when my blood work results came back, my B-12 level was almost "Nil". The Internist put me on 1 Injection a Week of 1Mg. Of B-12 Serum and now I feel like a new born baby. I will be 72 this coming August 2011.
I had severe Muscle Spasms, Edema, Migraines, GI Problems, Shortness Of Breath, Couldnt Walk 15 Feet, without giving completely out. Nurse Pacholok; explains all this in her book and how much B-12 is "Important" to your Bodys Metabaolism and "All The Health Problems, A B-12 Deficenincy Cn ++Mimic++.. This Lady knows her Business and the price of the book is well worth it, in terms of Health Benifits to ones Knowledge of What may be wrong with them"". B-12 Deficiency is just now becoming Prevalent in The Medical Society, and most of todays MDs arent schooled of its importance. But "Believe Me", it can cause you Many years Of Pain and Suffering.
Book Review: Who knew -- for at least 10 years
Summary: 5 Stars
For at least 10 years I had expressed discomfort that had started in my feet. Symptoms of severe swelling, pain -- especially walking -- tingling, feeling that my feet were bound when barefoot. My feet were and are full of broken veins. A number of times I had cellulitis on my ankles -- treated with antibiotics.
Mostly I was told to wear support stockings, prop my feet when sleeping. Nothing really helped.
I did not have a regular physician since I was having to go wherever a payment would go. About 5 years ago I developed arrhythmia full blast requiring hospitilization. The cardiologist said my foot problem was caused by varicose veins.
Also about 5 years ago I started losing control of my bladder -- a problem I had never had.
About three months ago I showed my current physician my feet. I was having more and more problems climbing just a few stairs, walking, staggering, falling. He suggested a neurologist. I was given tests I had never had such as an MRI.
I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. My blood work showed severely low B12 levels. Aha, the neurologist said my problem was caused by the low B12. I was assured I would get better.
I have started taking B12 injections. I have taken 7 so far and am going on one a week for I don't know how long. I really am not feeling better yet, but I have great hope. I am sure this has been my main problem all along.