Help

[flatoutcooper]

Just nearly got sectioned after suffering serious mental episode.5years after rny gastric bypass and still no b12 injection.don't know where to turn to,just want to not wake up tomorrow.can anyone help

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Really does sound as if the medical profession has let you down very badly. The fact that you have had gastric surgery should be a red flag but obviously isn't.

Has anyone actually done a B12 serum test for you? Did you talk to anyone in the hospital about getting one done ... assuming that you were in a position to ask at the time - if not and you are now seeing a psychiatrist/CPN as follow up then it might be worth talking to them about getting a B12 serum test etc done.

Assuming you are UK based.

What are you financial resources like? - injections provided by NHS aren't the only option - you could try another mode of delivery - such as a nasal spray - and don't be scared to take more than it says. You can also source B12 from outside the UK.

It is best if you can get a diagnosis before you start self-treating but if it is affecting your life as much as it sounds as if it is - enough for you to be sectioned - then it may be time to take things into your own hands.

[Allyson1]

I definitely understand about the mental issues. I went from a sensible, patient, caring, and compassionate person to hysterical, paranoid, psychotically angry, and suicidal. It has been terrifying to lose control of my mind.

I have suffered psychiatric symptoms of low B12 since childhood I think. I had several surgeries in my teens and was going downhill but no one ever checked my B12. I was by all appearances normal but secretly suffered with PTSD, panic attacks, major depression, body dysmorphia, and an eating disorder. I also had several chronic physical illnesses. Instead I was shunted off to a psychiatrist who tried every medication she could think of, often in combinations of 5, often changing by the week. I was on paxil, effexor, zoloft, lamictal, ativan, abilify, risperdal, geodon, haldol, neurontin, etc, all between the ages of 19 and 23. Each medication seemed to make me worse.

I improved a lot when I came off the medication at 26 and was really excited to put it all behind me. I had abdominal surgery at 27, and it's been downhill since. It's been shattering to feel my intelligence and mental state just go like that. It's really affected my sense of self and my relationships.

Anyway please don't blame yourself. I'm not the best source for B12 testing and supplementation protocols and I'm still figuring out my own treatment, but I definitely understand the psychiatric effects.

I hope you feel better!

[mauschen]

Sorry to hear how bad you feel, please don't give up hope there are ways to help you. Do you still get reviewed by the gastric surgeons, if so that could be an avenue to open discussions. If not, ask your GP to check B12 levels and prescribe injections if needed. Have you considered alternative diagnosis for the way you feel, for example thyroid function?

I hope my small contribution helps, it is not good to hear a fellow human being feel so low and helpless. I hope you get the help you need soon.