B12 question

[Andi]

I haven't been tested for B12 deficiency, but I am fairly certain I have it based on 15 years of vegetarianism during which I didn't take any vitamins other than prenatals when I was pregnant/nursing. I should mention that I became a vegetarian at age 13 because I didn't like the taste of meat and always thought I was healthy - although I think some of the deficiencies I have now may have their reasons...
I also have PN and never knew what to call it until I started reading the posts on this forum....I just thought it was poor circulation although who knows why a 28 year old (or thinking back - a 15 year old) would have poor circulation???
So, I bought a B vitamin complex today at Back to Earth. The lady there was very knowledgable and recommended the one she takes, which is Enzymatic Therapy - I think it's called Exhausted to Energized...There's a book by the same name by the maker...
So, I took one & about a 1/2 hour later, my urine was neon yellow/green. I know some vitamins do this - my urine was always bright yellow when taking prenatals, but it's still scary.
It says artificial color free, but it has titanium dioxide in it as colorant. Do I really want to put something called titanium dioxide in my body???
Could someone please either calm my worries or tell me to stop taking this stuff???
My stomach was a mess today and my tongue is tingling, as is the back of my throat. I also made homemade hummus today and it had garlic in it. I think this is the first time I have had raw garlic (uncooked). Could it be the garlic?
Sorry if this sounds all over the place, but I'm trying to figure out my strange day (neon urine, tingling tongue and throat, major gas & diarrhea). I know - way more info. than you needed, but it's been a weird day!
Andi

[Jeannine]

xxx

[annJ]

Hello, I am a nurse, and I know B12 has to be given in injection form only, it is distroyed in the stomach

[aklap]

Hi Andi,

Don't be alarmed at your neon urine (moutain dew ). The B's will do that!! I take a B-complex P5P from Jarrow - does the same thing!

Have you ever been tested for PN with EMG or NCS tests at a neurologist office?

Jeannine is right...the Methyl is better absorbed than the cyano. It's best to get the sublingual (under the tongue). If you have trouble absorbing ...it's the best way!

You are right to be concerned over B12 and being a vegetarian. You can try to get your doc to run a b12 level...or you can just take them anyway. You can not OD on B12. Some studies are starting to show that the oral is just as effective (if not better) than the injections.

Here's some info on B12 from Braintalk's CD/GS board

There is a gal by the name of Rose that hangs out a lot in the Peripheral Neuropathy board at BT that is a B12 guru. It might be worth your time to browse these links!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[Andi]

Thanks for the answers everyone!
I have the b12 that starts with "c". I didn't see any that were the other ones - I've read about them too.
Hummus is made of garbanzo beans & tahini (pure sesame paste)- no wheat.
I have been surfing the b12 posts on braintalk, Al. I will see what Rose thinks in particular. I have not had the pn checked out nor have I been tested for b12 deficiency b/c getting my dr. to do anything is like pulling teeth (he's the one that read me the riot act about not having cd). I think it's time for a new dr. but I haven't located one yet.
When I go see the GI in Sept., I will try to have them run these tests, although I don't know if they are tests a gastro would normally run.
I'm cheap & I hate having to pay so many copays for so few answers, if you know what I mean...
The lady at the health food store wanted me to buy something called DigestMore. It had bromelain & papaya & other things that are supposed to help heal the digestive track. Can anyone recommend this or unrecommend it? It was $22 for a bottle so I hesitate to buy it unless I know it will do what it claims to do....Here's a link to a place that sells it online so you can check out the ingred....

http://www.nationalsupplementcenter.com/rl53483.html?ovmkt=MDLPNV921Q0JVLP9RB94QDTTRC&OVRAW=digest%20more&OVKEY=digest%20more&OVMTC=standard

Thanks again - I appreciate the responses.
Andi