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Old Tue Jun 18, 2013, 10:32 PM
Bambam Bambam is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 59
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marlene View Post
Are you supplementing with B12? If so how much and what type. If you are not, then you may have an issue with converting B12 to an usable form and would need to supplement with a bio-active form. This problem may extend to folate also. If you are supplementing, you would need to stop at least 3 days before a blood test to get an accurate assessment.

When you have a conversion problem, the blood serum level are usually higher because it's not able to be utilized.

If your cells have not been getting adequate B12/folate, then your immune system is not functioning up to par and infections don't get resolved. And then, once they start getting B12, you could see a flare up the infection(s) as your body corrects and goes after the infection.

Zinc is another nutrient to look into. A deficiency in this contribute to skin eruptions/acne.
Hi Marlene, I haven't taken any supplements other than VitD and Fish Oil. I guess this suggests that I am not utilizing the B12 that occurs naturally in my mostly vegetarian diet? Reading between your lines, perhaps this is why I have this awful skin problem - that perhaps started with a small infection in my scalp? My hematologist says high B12 and skin issues are common in MDS.
What I find weird is that since the neck and face problems started - In Spain a few months ago - my top lip is quite swollen (especially in the mornings) and then as the day progresses, it becomes really dry, cracks and peels. Just the top lip!!
I am visiting my ailing mom in Western Australia at. The moment and have noticed my skin gets worse as the day progresses. I wear a hat in the sun and use SPF 50 but still it seems to flare.
I know this is not as serious as most of the problems you ar all dealing with, but I find it quite distressing to see my normally-good skin in this state.
My neutrophils and WBC are normal, as are platelets. It's those RBC that continue to dance downwards!
Thank you for your input ... It's nice to know I have friends I can talk to about this annoying condition!
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DX MDS RA Low Risk August 2012. DX Changed to MDS RAEB1. Progressed to AML July 2013. Participated in clinical chemo trial CPX351 and relapsed four months later in March 2014. Maintenance chemo -VIDAZA (AZA) stopped after 4 rounds. Awaiting full report from BMB.
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