B12 Deficiency: My First Case History

[@joannewalsh7498]

I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia in November of 2012. Before I was diagnosed I was told I was depressed. That it was all in my head. I was given anti -depressants that I refused to take. I was falling down bumping into walls. My memory was gone. I could not grasp anything. I was diagnosed with MS. You're the first doctor that even went to B-12 right away. Unfortunately it was too late for me before I found a doctor to give me a correct diagnosis. I suffer permanent neurological damage. I'm 49 years old and walk with a walker. I sued my doctors for failing to diagnosis me. I did win. It should not be so hard to get help.

[@RawFoodEducation]

I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulties Joanne. It does seem as though your doctors should have been able to figure out something as basic as B12 deficiency. Everything you said you have been challenged with is textbook B12 deficiency. Not all doctors got A's in all their classes, nor do they remember everything when they are in practice. At the same time, not everything in practice looks like the textbooks say, so they have to keep their thinking caps on! I'm very glad you eventually got the right diagnosis and that was able to prevent any further damage. Best wishes to you, Dr. Rick.

[@natureasintended]

Wonderful. I believe anemia isn't always present with B12 deficiency, and that a high folate diet can mask it.

[@RawFoodEducation]

That is correct. There is often enough folate to prevent anemia in fruit and veggie based diets even when low in B12, so without anemia as a warning sign the neurological issues can creep in without advanced notice. One of the reasons testing is so important. It can head off a problem years before it ever happens. At the same time I have seen those low in B12 but high in folate be in a near anemic state with no neurological issues; it just depends on the person, we're all a little different.

[@myra4795]

Well presented video with a critical message. Being open minded and receptive are key to being successful on this raw lifestyle. I find it very sad when people in general, but specifically raw food educators, are "stuck" on dogma…. Thank you!

[@DanaPurgaru]

In my country you cannot find injections with methylcobalamine. Only cyanocobalamine. Are they any good in case of B12 deficiency? Thanks!

[@RawFoodEducation]

In general methyl, cyano, and hydroxo all work. Sometimes if one form does not work for an individual, switching to a different form may. The best way to know is to get tested before and after trying the form you are curious about. Cyano is the most common form as it is most stable and therefore has the longest shelf life. The body can convert it to methylcobalamin, the human active form of B12.

[@DanaPurgaru]

I know it's a big controversy, but the pills with methylcobalamin (a 1000 mcg per day) are there any good in case of deficiency? My B12 level is 205 and I am sure I have this problem for many years because a few years ago I had almost all symptoms of deficiciency which slowed down once I became vegan (2 years ago). Now it's the first time I got tested. In my country it seems like no doctor knows about B12 so I have to search and search on the internet. And those who know about this deficiency are sure that it's because I am vegan. Many thanks!

[@DanaPurgaru]

Thank you for the information. I think it will be also very useful to make a video about the fact that only vegans can be B12 deficient. Is it a myth or not? All the animals products eater are convinced that they are immune to this problem and I believe you can help many people with such an information. Personally, I learned very much from you. Thank you again!

[@RawFoodEducation]

Some of my other videos about B12 indicate that omnivores can become B12 deficient as well. Here is one my wife (Dr. Karin Dina, D.C.) addressing that specific issue. What I Learned about Vitamin B12 from the Framingham Offspring Study Happy viewing!

[@DrRudyScarfalloto]

I think all parties now agree that B12 deficiency is not something to be messed with. As you said, it's very simple, either take supplement or get tested. Thanks, again, Dr. Rick, for a great video. This is the sort of work that will move the raw vegan diet well beyond the :fad" stage, and into the credible and sustainable stage.

[@RawFoodEducation]

You are welcome Dr. Rudy! We appreciate your appreciation. Well at least MOST parties agree about B12; we'll work on getting the rest of them up to speed.

[@TreDogOfficial]

Thanks for the video. I have been on a frugivorous diet for well over a year now and I feel so clean internally that I never want to go back to meat, dairy, cooked grains or processed foods. Pat sounds like a very intelligent raw foodist who was merely trapped in an awful situation. I guess he should have taken the b12 supplement but one has to wonder: what causes b12 deficiency in the first place? I wonder if we can address b12 deficiency through lifestyle and diet. Maybe he could have taken more rest and eaten more food from the backyard garden without washing it. Anyways, this makes me want to get my methyl-malonic acid tested too

[@imkrane]

Who is this guy??? Where did Rick go??? lol, No more ponytail and no glasses, what's going on???

[@RawFoodEducation]

Yeah bit the bullet and got a haircut in December 2013. I'm really working on correcting my vision to not need the glasses anymore, and not wearing them is part of the program. It's still the same me though!