Vitamin deficiencies

B12 is injected pretty commonly (not IV), but I haven't heard of the others commonbly given that way. Are you really deficient in all of those?

Scott, 

yes I am actually. I get IV iron through a port in my chest. I give myself b12 injection. Looking-for a better way to get vit A , vit d, magnesium, and zinc. Skin irritation is at an all time high and effecting my everyday pretty badly. Neuropathy is getting more intense as well. Was hoping to see if anyone does the vitamins in IV form?

Do you also take Forvia multi vitamin on regular basis. Many of us do that.

Maybe you need TPN if your nutrient levels are impossible to keep up orally. I know they can give lipid emulsion as a TPN supplement to provide essential fatty acids, and multivitamins are given IV routinely. Since you already have a port, ask about this. If you can avoid full TPN, it is best, as it can lead to liver damage. But, supplementing with your oral intake might work.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2795378/

Jan

Hi Jan,

concerning the topic of vitamin def.

my primary care dr, unless i tell her to, doesnt ever do a full blown cbc or vitamin work up at my routine visits for labs, etc to be drawn and kidney function (urinalysis).  My question is this,  Id been having on and off somewhat painful leg/calf pain (shoots up my calves) and bone pain surrounding the feet/upper calves that shoots upwards.  Could this be my diabetes type 2 related or is this a possible sign of vitamin deficiancy? like a B 6 or b-12 issue?  or is it hard to call out a shot on this so to speak? Maybe i need my sed rate checked too?

the pain sucks, and it hurts when i walk more than when i sit (just sore legs/bones) but then when i walk it feels spasm/shooting like , best way i can describe it.

i know in other threads you'd mentioned you're diabetic as well, i was wondering if you ever experienced such, with regards to the leg pain i describe yourself? and were you found to be vitamin deficiant?

ty,

len

p.s --no intention of hijacking the thread, just wanted to chime in since i could be vitamin depleated/deficiant.

Len, my primary doctor monitors vitamin D and B12 levels, along with CBC, kidney/liver functions, thyroid, sed rate, CRP, UA, HbA1c, and lipids. they also check electrolytes and calcium. My calcium and other electrolytes have always been good, but I was found to be B12 and vitamin D deficient a few years ago. Oral supplements have been fine in restoring them. 

I also get foot, leg, knee, hip, spine and other pain. I did not see any improvement in my pain with corrections of the deficiencies. I used to be plagued with severe nocturnal leg cramps, but now just get occasional foot and hand cramps. None of this has been related to deficiencies or diabetic neuropathy. I have enteropathic arthritis that is the cause of all my pain. I am on a biologic for that and have been walking more. The theory is that for many people, unless there is something physically wrong, leg pain is often due to lack of stretching. The tendons and muscles get tight and easily fatigued without stretching. 

My type 2 diabetes is diet controlled. My husband's type 2 is more severe and he needs several meds. Het gets some leg pain attributed to neuropathy, but it is more in the thigh muscles. Of interest, he was also found to have B12 and Vitamin D deficiencies (he also has UC but still has his colon).

I'd like to say a nutritional deficiency is a likely cause of your pain, but it is more likely due to something more physical/mechanical.

Jan

jan,

i appreciate your words of wisdom as always. I will push for vitamin check, a more thorough over see of my care in the lab department could be crucial/essential at this point.

my PCP is a health center/clinic and often if i dont mention something, it can easily get swept under the carpet and i end up "under seen". she is a nice doctor, bed side manner wise, but has not been in medical care practice THAT long. 12-13 years at the most she has been a physcian. My previous PCP prior to 9 years ago was my child hood/adolescent dr. he didnt need to be reminded or told what bloods to take etc.

also of note, for reference, im on Testosterone, albeit topical, but still a steroid so i wonder if some my my physicological issues concerning feet pain/soreness is muscoskelotel or related to long-term HRT use. I should look into a ultrasound of the feet/legs perhaps for further investigation.

I appreciate the information you've shared concerning your personal health stuff, diabetes and arthritis issues.

my dr listens to my needs/concerns. she isnt a pushy doctor thats what i like about her and she does not lay stones on your heart if something needs attention or is slightly elevated/wrong.  I am worried about my kidneys and proteinuria. But my urine is not frothy or foamy, just some bubbles which is a tell tale early sign of kidney disease.

Im only 37 years young. My mother was diagnosed at aboout very early 40s with type 2 diabetes. she is aged 76 now and alive, just had one eye operated for cataract and when she recovers she will have the other eye done as well.

i feel like a ticking time bomb for health issues arising as a newer diabetic (under last 2 years has my a1c crept up to as high as 7.4) as i know it thus far. Go to primary again on sept 2, so will know more where i stand with the a1c and kidney issues.

im scared, but diet is hard to control or i am unmotivated. I try to walk more for now. I hope metformin 500mg taken 2x a day can control my a1c but my mom takes drugs like prandin for example in addition to metformin twice a day. She isnt eating like i am (i am a foodie type, often hungry with my pouch and dont always make the healthiest, best eating choices)

thanks for reading/listening.

Regards,

Len

If you have recently increased your walking activities, your extemity pain is likely related to that. Don't stop, just take time for some stretching before and after. But, if this is chronic, talk to your primary about a rheumatology consult.

The number one thing you can do for your diabetes control is reduce your carb intake. This will also be good for pouch function, since many people see improved pouch function with a low carb diet. Try to keep it simple and easy. Start with eating half the carb portions you are accustomed to. My husband was headed to insulin as a next step, and turned it around in a couple of months by walking twice a day (after meals, which helps drive glucose into the muscles) and paying closer attention to his carbs.

Jan

hey jan,

thanks for all of your words of wisdom again, and general input on things as they are with me.

i have not increased activity at all and am not moving much, honestly. Especially that we've been in a heatwave the past week again (feels like 100 degrees etc).  I need to look at how much im taking in portion wise on my carbs and try and control it. I have some control of how much i put on my plate.

Rationale wise, it is up to me, and only *I* can make that change, but i have to be ready and motivated. Its easy to talk about it, but easy to do and set goals for yourself. I get a sensse of comfort from certain no-no foods and portions of sweets etc, we all do sometimes. Diabetic or not of course.

I realize if i do nothing, im headed down a poor road of health and will be entering one drs' office after just closing another drs offices' door etc...

Im petrified of what the next blood work up will show come on sept 2 when i go in for the bilruben/urinalysis check and blood draw. Particularly with the a1c which last feb (last check) showed an a1c at 7.4 average over a 3 month period. Also protein and creatine elevated in the urine.  I realize it takes time for kidneys to get bad, and im not going to be on some sort of death bed  with regards to this as im 37 and have some time, but my clock is ticking and i suppose its turning time to "help" myself and make these necessary changes.

Thank you for you responses always.

-Len