B12 and folic acid--Dr. Kolb

[Guest guest]

Leanda,

I'm so sorry to hear of your bone marrow disorder. A number of women have developed some sort of problem like that, including the cancer that deals with blood--Multiple myeloma. Is this what you have? Of course none of the doctors will admit to the correlation with breast implants, but it seems that many of the women on Ilena's mail list years ago had this. I think e mentioned she might have it as well, but I can't remember if it was confirmed. It's hard to say, but I just think it is so awful that so many women have become sick with so many devastating things.

I don't know how shunts work, so does that mean you will never be able to get them removed?

Take care, Leanda, and I hope your new year has started out as good as it could!

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: leanda

Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 4:12 AM

Subject: Re: B12 and folic acid--Dr. Kolb

Patty, it's funny that you mentioned about these vitamins being required for proper blood formation. I also developed a bone marrow disorder where I make too many platelets in my blood. I will now be on life long medication for without it, my platelets go over 1 million. I sure do wonder if all of this is correlated. Also, when my platelets went over a million, I also developed hydrocephalus. I have 3 shunts now. Yeah, life has been fun...

Leanda

----- Original Message -----

From: ~*Patty*~

Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 10:02 AM

Subject: B12 and folic acid--Dr. Kolb

Hi Kathy,

That is interesting about your high levels on these two vitamins. It would seem to me that you aren't able to utilize and absorb them, if you aren't actually supplementing them. Does that make sense? Otherwise how could you have high levels? However, malabsorption usually results in a deficiency! hmmmmm. This is the first time I have heard of high levels of these two vitamins since I've been involved in the BI issue. And you are not supplementing, right?

B12 and folic acid actually work together. They are necessary for proper red blood cell formation, but also for proper nerve protection via the myelin sheaths that cover nerves. B12 prevents nerve damage. Folic acid is considered a brain food, and is very necessary--most doctors won't prescribe B12 shots to avoid the danger of masking a folic acid deficiency. I say, then supplement both! Geeze, why be stupid and not get enough of one to see if you are not getting enough of another? Just get enough of both! LOL

As for the toxicity or damage that these high levels can cause, I don't think there is a danger, at least with B12. I know a woman with Chronic Fatigue who took daily shots of B12 for months and months, and for all I know, she still does. She in fact, had a doctor friend who gave her several year's supply of the stuff, and she was never without it. The most that can happen is that your system becomes saturated with it, and secretes the excess in your urine. It will show up in a urine test when you have too much. And your body can store up to 5 years worth of Vit B12 in your liver, so again, the dangers seem non-existent. The real danger lies in not having enough.

Given that, I would be on a search to find out why you have high levels if, in fact, you are not supplementing. This one sounds like a good one for Dr. Kolb! , can you offer some help on this one?

Good to hear from you Kathy!

Take care,

Patty

[Guest guest]

Hi Leanda,

I am so glad it is not cancer as well! It sounds like you have been through quite a bit. I am sure for you, technological improvements in medicine have been a miracle for you. It is unfortunate though that there can't be completely safe miracles!

I wish you the best, and much healing and happiness.

Hugs,

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: leanda

Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2003 5:33 AM

Subject: Re: B12 and folic acid--Dr. Kolb

Hi Patty,

Thanks for your concern. You are very sweet. As far as my blood disorder, it's called Thrombocythemia, where I make too many platelets. I've had a bone marrow test and feel very lucky that it's not cancer. I've had it for 9 years so far.

As far as the shunts, I too didn't know what they were...boy I sure didn't feel like getting educated either. They are long tubes that get attached to the brain ventricle or spine, I have 2 in my head and one in my spine, that drain the brain fluid and they drain where the tube ends which is right outside the stomach cavity. You cannot see them and yes, they are permanent. You can feel the ones in my head though. Even though it takes a little time getting used to them, I've learned to respect and love them for they saved my life and helped tremendously with my very severe symptoms.

Science is truly wonderful and I am still alive. I am grateful. However, no doctor has been able to tell me why all of this happened....I'm now on permanent disability and left a fantastic career of over 20 years.

You take care too Patty. Always nice chatting with you or reading your posts to the group. Love your high energy.

Hugs,

Leanda