B12 deficiency question

Joey Gal · Regular Joined: 30 May 2009 Posts: 35

HI ALL

We just got back the results on Dads blood work and his Dr. said he was low in vitamin B12. He recommended that he take a B12 vitamin.
His sodium was 136 today that is pretty good for him.

My question is there any correlation between his lung cancer and this vitamin deficiency?

Friday, tomorrow we meet with the Hospice Coordinator. I know it's a wonderful thing but just hard to swallow.

Thanks in advance for any answers on the B12.

Joey
_________________
Joey Gal

brainman · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:31 pm Post subject: Re: B12 deficiency question

Good question. I have never heard for B12 either causing or being caused by Lung Cancer. B12 is supposed to be good for the brain and in the making of blood cell. I had to take to try to take it during my chemo because I was anemic.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Twitter: @JimHawkins54

dano · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:12 am Post subject: Re: B12 deficiency question

Joey[/quote]

Hi Joey Gal; I'm not real up on the B12 either, but they give me the B12 shot along with my Chemo most times and normally I don't feel any different for it. But this last chemo I had I got it and I felt the difference the next day, less mussel and joint pain and much more energy. I was being told all along that it was to give me more energy but never really noticed it before. I do think it is to help counter what chemo does to you. I would guess it works the same way even if your not on chemo.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

onecoyote · Senior User Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 150

Hi JoeyGal,
My husband had a very low B12 level when first diagnosed. I did some research and found a correlation with low B12 and cancer. It is believed that lack of B12, which is necessary in DNA production, can cause chromosome breakage resulting in a cancerous cell.
The risk for deficiency increases as you get older. Taking a B12 supplement is good insurance against deficiency, and B12 supplements are also very well tolerated. My husband takes 500 MCG and they are small pills. Also, vitamin D should be included. If you Google it, you'll find out it's benefit.
In related news:
In some cancer patients tumors can't be easily detected. There is a new procedure being done at Mayo Clinic using vitamin B12 that helps doctors locate hard to find tumors. During the processes a patient is injected with radioactive vitamin B12. After three hours a gamma camera takes pictures of the body. The cancer stands out as a bright spot even in dense tissue.
Good luck,
Charlene
_________________
Husband Danny, age 66,
diagnosed squamous cell June 6, 2008,
Right pneumonectomy performed with no adjuvant chemo or radiation on Sept. 2008
Metastatic lung cancer in the ribs, scapula and right kidney raised it's ugly head May 2009.
Renal cell carcinoma diagnosed May 2009
One round carbo/taxol, too weak to continue
Cancer racing like a freight train
Held my husband's hand when he passed away September 29, 2009

simplyklb · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: B12 deficiency question

People on Almita are given B12 shots every nine weeks with the first shot given a week before Alimta is started. Is your dad on Alimta?

Kristi
_________________
Dad - Andy, 70, diagnosed with SCLC in May 2008
2/20/38 - 10/15/08 Fly high, Dad!
Mom - Jackie, 67, diagnosed with NSCLC in May 2008

Joey Gal · Regular Joined: 30 May 2009 Posts: 35

Thanks folks for you responses.

He took his first B12 vitamin yesterday and in about 30 to 45 minutes became very red in the face and not feeling to well. Had to take a zofran for his upset stomach. Now weather the B12 had anything to do with all of that or if it was just a spell he was going through. Going to try another one this a.m. and we will see how that goes.

We have seen a lot of changes going on lately...and not for the good Crying or Very sad

Sleeping in later, more cat naps through out the day,weaker,appetite is less, more coughing and nausea. Flippin' Cancer

I am wondering if some of this could be due his blood pressure being low.
Calling the clinic this a.m. and asking if we should take him off his blood pressure meds. and see if this makes a difference. It's worth a try.

The Hospice coordinator came yesterday. She was very helpful and informative. She made the transition very easy for all of us and helped open up those subjects that have been to hard for me to bring up.

Joey
_________________
Joey Gal

onecoyote · Senior User Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 150

Hi Joey,
The only B vitamin that has the tendency to cause facial flushing is niacin (nicotinic acid) which is B3.
If your Dad has had significant weight loss, there is a syndrome called cachexia that happens. This is where muscle is basically wasted away in addition to any fat stores. This makes a person very fatigued and have no energy to move around. My husband has forced himself to move around as much as possible, starting with just standing for a few minutes working up to walks to the bathroom and then outside to sit in the sun. He now feels more energetic than he did a month ago and his cancer progression is in full swing.
Joey, have they checked your Dad's calcium level lately? Lung cancer patients are very prone to hypercalcemia which can cause all of the symptoms your Dad is having. Worth a check. This can be controlled somewhat with fluids and bisphosphonates by IV.
Good luck,
hugzzz,
Charlene
_________________
Husband Danny, age 66,
diagnosed squamous cell June 6, 2008,
Right pneumonectomy performed with no adjuvant chemo or radiation on Sept. 2008
Metastatic lung cancer in the ribs, scapula and right kidney raised it's ugly head May 2009.
Renal cell carcinoma diagnosed May 2009
One round carbo/taxol, too weak to continue
Cancer racing like a freight train
Held my husband's hand when he passed away September 29, 2009

Joey Gal · Regular Joined: 30 May 2009 Posts: 35

Charlene,

Dad took his B12 the morning and no side effects this time...whew..
When I googled B12 deficiency he has a lot of the symptoms associated with that. He does get up and move around going to the bathroom, standing exercise with his walker as well as exercise in bed. He walks between 100 and 200 feet a day. Sure does sound like a lot but when he is done he is spent. This is the amount the physical therapist was walking with him when they did home visits.
We can not get him to go outside, I think he thinks he is going to get sick and someone outside may see or hear him...I tell him who gives a rip they know you are sick and they all understand. ( I not being mean we joke around)

He has lost between 45 and 50 pounds. He is 5'11" and on the average he weighs 135#.

He had blood work done on Wednesday and never said his calcium was out of whack. I will double check Monday.

Thanks for all the helpful information...you are a huge asset to this forum.

Kristi, No he is not on Almita.

Thanks Gang you are all Awesome!!

Joey
_________________
Joey Gal

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Lung Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others