Naomi,
The parameter thing as unnecessary as it is should not cause a problem, I think. On the other hand your method is doing two things that I would not do: Changing the current active area and changing the order of a table without restoring it, and both things are unnecessary as you could specify alias or/and orders in the commands you are using. Oh, and what about mdot notation? Is it possible that you have a variable/field collision?
"The five senses obstruct or deform the apprehension of reality."
Jorge L. Borges?
"Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming."
Donald Knuth, repeating C. A. R. Hoare
"To die for a religion is easier than to live it absolutely"
Jorge L. Borges