Worse Than An IA

My dad has been having some medical issues recently, which has been terrifying (total daddy's girl here), but they have been super aggressive about figuring it out. They just found out that his body doesn't process vitamin B6, which can cause permanent nerve damage at toxic levels. His levels were unbelievably high--they think they can get the levels down, but they're afraid that the nerve damage may be permanent.  It's been a nervous few weeks. To top it off, this, like his Vitamin D deficiency, is probably genetic, so I have to go to my GP and ask for yet another off-the-wall blood test (my D levels did come back low, so at least I know to keep an eye on it now).

My dad has been having some medical issues recently, which has been terrifying (total daddy's girl here), but they have been super aggressive about figuring it out. They just found out that his body doesn't process vitamin B6, which can cause permanent nerve damage at toxic levels. His levels were unbelievably high--they think they can get the levels down, but they're afraid that the nerve damage may be permanent.  It's been a nervous few weeks. To top it off, this, like his Vitamin D deficiency, is probably genetic, so I have to go to my GP and ask for yet another off-the-wall blood test (my D levels did come back low, so at least I know to keep an eye on it now).

Eeeps, the lack of B6 processing can be really scary.  Fingers crossed everything goes OK. 

Eeeps, the lack of B6 processing can be really scary.  Fingers crossed everything goes OK. 

Thanks.  At least it got caught quickly. A lot of people struggle for years before getting diagnosed, but because of the D thing, his doctor decided to take a shot in the dark about the B6. Sigh. It's just, it's my dad; he's totally not supposed to ever get ill.

Thanks.  At least it got caught quickly. A lot of people struggle for years before getting diagnosed, but because of the D thing, his doctor decided to take a shot in the dark about the B6. Sigh. It's just, it's my dad; he's totally not supposed to ever get ill.

Awww... sorry your dad hasn't been well, but hopefully things will get a lot better for him now that they know what is going on.

Thanks for the support, everyone. My Granny did fine during the surgery, which the doctor called "routine" so now she's just in the ICU for an indefinite amount of time. The doctors said she may have good days and bad days so it's still touch & go. I feel bad for my mom, though, because she rushed down there to be at her bed all weekend but now she is forced to go back to work with Granny still so drugged up she doesn't even know her name... But at least my BMT nurse said I'm okay to fly if I have to (and to get specialist travel insurance that'll cover BMT-related things).

Thanks for the support, everyone. My Granny did fine during the surgery, which the doctor called "routine" so now she's just in the ICU for an indefinite amount of time. The doctors said she may have good days and bad days so it's still touch & go. I feel bad for my mom, though, because she rushed down there to be at her bed all weekend but now she is forced to go back to work with Granny still so drugged up she doesn't even know her name... But at least my BMT nurse said I'm okay to fly if I have to (and to get specialist travel insurance that'll cover BMT-related things).

Hope she feels better soon. (((HUGS)))

I am sorry to hear about your dad Jennie.  I hope you do not receive his genes on vitamin intake!

Wishing your granny a speedy recovery sp!

Jennie, that's a scary thing your Dad has.  I'm glad they figured it out so quickly.  I hope you don't have the same genetic problem.

Squirrellypoo, I'm glad your grandmother's surgery went well and I hope she starts feeling better soon.

Jennie, so glad they figured out what's going on with your dad.

SP, hope you granny perks up soon.

My friend's sister died on Saturday after a long battle with cancer. My girlfiend was really down when I saw her at Christmas, as it was likely going to be her sister's last.

All I'd like to do is give her a hug.

My friend's sister died on Saturday after a long battle with cancer. My girlfiend was really down when I saw her at Christmas, as it was likely going to be her sister's last.

All I'd like to do is give her a hug.

So sorry to hear about what your friend is going through. It's so hard to lose someone you love, and hard to be away from your friends when you want to be supportive. ((HUGS))

Thanks, Jewlz. I am sending her a card today. 

My friend's sister died on Saturday after a long battle with cancer. My girlfiend was really down when I saw her at Christmas, as it was likely going to be her sister's last.

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that.

Jewlz is right.  It's hard being far away when you want to be supportive.  I'm sorry MLG.

I'm so sorry MLG!

My dad has been having some medical issues recently, which has been terrifying (total daddy's girl here), but they have been super aggressive about figuring it out. They just found out that his body doesn't process vitamin B6, which can cause permanent nerve damage at toxic levels. His levels were unbelievably high--they think they can get the levels down, but they're afraid that the nerve damage may be permanent.  It's been a nervous few weeks. To top it off, this, like his Vitamin D deficiency, is probably genetic, so I have to go to my GP and ask for yet another off-the-wall blood test (my D levels did come back low, so at least I know to keep an eye on it now).

Really sorry to hear about your Dad and I hope he recovers quickly. I just wanted to say, though, that the Vit D deficiency didn't surprise me for you (or him). Frankly, IMHO, that should be a standard test for everyone in the UK. The current research suggests that women in particular are not getting nearly enough Vit D (same for older people). Here in the US, doctors seem to be picking up on this and I know many women taking what would once have been considered large amounts of it via supplements. Between people using sunscreen more often, not drinking much milk, and you not being able to get D in adequate amounts via food, the deficiency is reaching epidemic proportions. Plus, emerging rearch suggests that getting this vitamin is important in terms of preventing or alleviating some medical conditions and symptoms.

Why do I know all this? Because I was diagnosed with a shockingly low Vit D deficiency here in the US a couple months after moving back from the UK. Pregnancy had exacerbated it, but the lack of fortified milk and sun in the UK did not help. Some studies suggest the further north you live, the more likely you are to have low levels. There are also studies that are beginning to link up the increased rate in things like MS to living further north and lacking D.

Vit D deficiency is my pet topic (in case you haven't now noticed ). I think I posted about it evern more under Healthcare last year. So if your doc isn't being supportive of you, I can point you to a load of articles from reputable journals that discuss a lot of this. The recommended dose for D that I hear now is 800 to 1200 IU though there is debate about it - and the UK, if I recall correctly, only recommends 200!

OK, off my soapbox!

BTW, Vit D deficiency HURTS! It's what is called rickets in children!