Hi folks,
So, the latest development in the seemingly never-ending litany of new symptoms is vitamin B-12 deficiency that is significant enough to require weekly shots. Great. My PCP is skeptical that I will be able to eventually take supplements due to the LC. Does anyone have experience/advice on that?
Thanks to whoever it was (maybe Gloria?) who recommended Freeda vitamins. I'm doing much better with them-- no more nausea.
Does anyone have experience with Renew Life products, specifically their probiotics? Recommendations?
vitamin questions
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vitamin questions
Suze
Suze,
To the best of my knowledge, sublingual B-12 lozenges, (designed to dissolve under the tongue), work just as well as the injections. The active ingredient in sublingual B-12 lozenges is methylcobalamin, which is a more readily available form than the cheaper cyanocobalamin form of B-12 found in most tablets designed to be swallowed. IOW, the body will absorb a much higher percentage of B-12 from methylcobalamin, than it will absorb from cyanocobalamin, and vitamins in sublingual lozenges dissolved under the tongue will go directly into the bloodstream, thus bypassing any malabsorption problems in the intestines.
Be sure you're getting at least 400 mcg of folic acid, (that's micrograms, not milligrams), per day, as well, because the body cannot utilize B-12 unless an adequate amount of folic acid is available
I don't have any experience with Renew Life products, and the only probiotics I've ever taken were yogurt and sauerkraut, so I can't offer any advice about that.
Tex
To the best of my knowledge, sublingual B-12 lozenges, (designed to dissolve under the tongue), work just as well as the injections. The active ingredient in sublingual B-12 lozenges is methylcobalamin, which is a more readily available form than the cheaper cyanocobalamin form of B-12 found in most tablets designed to be swallowed. IOW, the body will absorb a much higher percentage of B-12 from methylcobalamin, than it will absorb from cyanocobalamin, and vitamins in sublingual lozenges dissolved under the tongue will go directly into the bloodstream, thus bypassing any malabsorption problems in the intestines.
Be sure you're getting at least 400 mcg of folic acid, (that's micrograms, not milligrams), per day, as well, because the body cannot utilize B-12 unless an adequate amount of folic acid is available
I don't have any experience with Renew Life products, and the only probiotics I've ever taken were yogurt and sauerkraut, so I can't offer any advice about that.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Suze,
We can differ in our preferences as well as our tolerances for vitamins/supplements... I am taking a sublingual Methyl B12 product from NOW brand, which doesn't contain my major food irritants, but does contain fructose and sorbitol. I seem to be doing OK with it - it's a 1000mcg lozenge, and I take 2 daily. I haven't yet gotten my doctor to think measuring my B12 levels is as important as I do, so I don't honestly know how it's affecting my levels (sigh) - I do feel it has made a difference in my non-GI symptoms. I also take a B50 or B100 complex vitamin - I more or less alternate them.
I would love to find another B12 product I can tolerate - I wish they weren't all sweetened. I don't need it to be palatable or tasty, thank you very much - my food gives me plenty of pleasure ;)
I know Nancy likes the Renew Life Diarrhea Stop product. I looked at their probiotic description online, and it 'may contain traces of milk proteins' - which I am unwilling to risk.
I'm glad the Freeda vitamins are working for you. Switching brands of B-vites and D3 made a big difference for me, too.
I hope the B12 shots help. Perhaps correcting the serious deficiency will help speed your healing, too... here's hoping!
Sara
We can differ in our preferences as well as our tolerances for vitamins/supplements... I am taking a sublingual Methyl B12 product from NOW brand, which doesn't contain my major food irritants, but does contain fructose and sorbitol. I seem to be doing OK with it - it's a 1000mcg lozenge, and I take 2 daily. I haven't yet gotten my doctor to think measuring my B12 levels is as important as I do, so I don't honestly know how it's affecting my levels (sigh) - I do feel it has made a difference in my non-GI symptoms. I also take a B50 or B100 complex vitamin - I more or less alternate them.
I would love to find another B12 product I can tolerate - I wish they weren't all sweetened. I don't need it to be palatable or tasty, thank you very much - my food gives me plenty of pleasure ;)
I know Nancy likes the Renew Life Diarrhea Stop product. I looked at their probiotic description online, and it 'may contain traces of milk proteins' - which I am unwilling to risk.
I'm glad the Freeda vitamins are working for you. Switching brands of B-vites and D3 made a big difference for me, too.
I hope the B12 shots help. Perhaps correcting the serious deficiency will help speed your healing, too... here's hoping!
Sara
Hi Suze,
I don't take any extra vitamin B12 other than what is in my daily supplement. My B12 numbers have been in the normal range.
I'm not familiar with Renew Life products; I use DF Culturelle probiotic, which is also sold by Dr. Fine. I couldn't tell you if it helps or not. I pay $15 for 30 tabs from The Vitamin Shoppe, so the cost isn't too bad.
Gloria
I don't take any extra vitamin B12 other than what is in my daily supplement. My B12 numbers have been in the normal range.
I'm not familiar with Renew Life products; I use DF Culturelle probiotic, which is also sold by Dr. Fine. I couldn't tell you if it helps or not. I pay $15 for 30 tabs from The Vitamin Shoppe, so the cost isn't too bad.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.