I.B.S

[Mrsannabbott]

After receiving B12 injections my severe symptoms of IBS disappeared.Is this due to the B12? Has anyone had a similar experience?.My IBS was of over 4yrs standing.My repeated migraines have also vanished.I am now on 2mthly injections as I have an excellent and understanding G.P.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

IBS is a name for a group of symptoms that can have a number of causes - B12 deficiency is one cause. Migraine like headaches are another potential symptom.

You can find a much fuller list of symptoms here

pernicious-anaemia-society....

I am glad that you seem to be getting the B12 that you need.

[Mrsannabbott in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you gambit.I am quite aware of possible symptoms and was just curious to see if anyone in my position had been relieved of a couple of them.It is quite possible to blame PA. for everything and one has to be aware of this temptation and keep things in perspective.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Mrsannabbott]

I'm so glad for you Mrsannabbott that some of your symptoms have "disappeared" and I hope the others will do the same over time.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Mrsannabbott]

Whilst I hear what you are saying it is also true that it is difficult to believe just how much B12 deficiency can affect you until it is corrected. I had 40+ years of anxiety and depression that was starting to snowball around the time I was told that my B12 was low. I really didn't believe that the depression and anxiety could be related - I started treating myself because I wasn't responding (in fact was getting worse) on the amounts I was receiving through my GP - and had lost my balance and a load of other things. Those cleared up in a couple of weeks - which surprised me - but what really amazed me was realising 3 months later that I wasn't having the same problems with anxiety and actually the depression that dogged me had lifted.

Unless you can identify something else that could have caused the changes you have experienced I can't see any reason for doubting that that is the effect that getting B12 has had on you.

[Mrsannabbott in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you Gambit.So sorry that you had such a long time before you received correct treatment.Without a doubt PA seems to be one of several Cinderella diagnoses.My best wishes for a healthier future.Ann

[Foggyme Administrator]

Just wanted to say...pleased the B12 is making a difference for you.

And it's fantastic to hear that you have and excellent and understanding GP. A rare gem!

Hope things keep improving.

[Sleepybunny]

Good to hear you have a kind GP. My IBS type symptoms stopped after i gave up gluten, dairy and cut down on sugar.

[Mrsannabbott]

Thank you Foggyme.I am indeed very fortunate in my G.P.It saddens me to see the criticisms levelled at the medical profession on this site.They are human like the rest of us doing an exceedingly difficult job in this thankless world.Keep well Foggyme.

[Lily73]

B12 deficiency causes diarrhoea and migraines. I had diarrhoea around 20 times a day when I was ill, and (common) migraines up to four times a week. Both improved drastically after I started injections. I still have the IBS-D I've had for 20 years, which is mainly due to FODMAP foods like onion (which I avoid) but the diarrhoea is nothing like as bad as it was when I was ill. I still get hormonal (common) migraines for one or two days a month but again I had those before I was b12 deficient. In other words the b12 injections stopped the (severe) diarrhoea and migraines that were caused by the deficiency, but not those which were very longstanding. Glad to hear yours have got much better - it sounds like they may have been b12 deficiency symptoms all along perhaps.

[Mrsannabbott]

Thank you pebble73 .You are probably right.I just wish you were as free as I am of the debilitating IBS.I followed fodmap too and it did help.All the best.Ann.

[Lily73 in reply to Mrsannabbott]

Yes, I never thought onion could cause so much havoc!

[fbirder]

Actually, B12 deficiency doesn't really cause these GI symptoms. But the most common cause of B12 deficiency, in the western world, is gastric atrophy. And that can cause quite bad GI symptoms.

[Lily73 in reply to fbirder]

That's interesting as I didn't/don't have gastric atrophy - my colonoscopy and endoscopy were entirely clear. I don't have classic PA. But I had diarrhoea 20 times a day when I was B12 deficient. The gastroenterologist told me it was caused by B12 deficiency and that is also reflected on the websites I have visited.

[Lily73 in reply to fbirder]

That said, I was also folate deficient, which can cause diarrhoea. Perhaps it was the folate deficiency that was the culprit. I found that doctors tended to talk about the b12 deficiency, but not really mention the folate deficiency (other than to give me tablets). Perhaps the gastroenterologist just lumped them together when he spoke about B12. Although I do find when I am due a B12 jab that the diarrhoea gets bad again. Hmm.

[grigmay57 in reply to Lily73]

Hi I had real bad diahorrea to the point when it just came with no warning in the supermarket anywhere so I looked at information and found it could be caused by a folate deficiency so had the blood test and it was correct I have taken folic acid for a number of years and the diahorrea has stopped but like you say as soon as the b12 injection is ready it starts again but not as bad plus my other symptoms make an appearance too it nice to see that we aren't alone we share the same ailments

[Lily73 in reply to grigmay57]

I had the same thing - no warning, it would just start! I could barely leave the house in the end!

[ndodge]

Hi Mrsannabbott,

I have had IBS for about 6 years and B12 shots for almost a year now. It was only when I read your post that I realized that I, too, have gotten so much better! I did give up Gluten 6 years ago and it helped a lot but but I still had IBS-D and could never make appointments or plans for early in the day. I also had acid reflux if I ate later than 5 in the afternoon and of course from time to time that horrible intestinal cramping.

But I am so much better and I think in my case it has to be the B12 because I changed a lot of things, no gluten, minimal dairy, high quality probiotic every day, digestive enzymes with meals, etc.. and it all helped but I still had problems. Since B12, I actually can eat much later in the day now, have had no diarrhea or cramping in a very long time, no acid reflux and can leave the house before 2pm!

I think it is the B12 that has made the difference. Three cheers for B12!!

I am so glad to hear that your IBS has cleared up- it is such a painful and unpleasant thing to have to deal with.

[Mrsannabbott]

Thank you ndodge .It does seem a path of trial and error but we are getting there.As you say 3 cheers for B12.It is such a simple solution.Best wishes.Ann