Post loading dose

[philward]

Hi all,

Finished my loading dose is 6 injections on alternate days a week ago. Feeling really tired, down in the dumps and lack lustre. Is this normal, a king of cold turkey?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Not sure there is a normal when it comes to B12

Some people don't feel any noticeable benefit from shots for several months ... and how you recover really depends on which of the many processes in the body that use B12 is causing the symptoms you have.

Are you keeping a diary of your symptoms and have you noticed any improvements.

Your first post mentioned screening for crohn's - not clear if you have crohn's - and when you mention that you had been diagnosed with PA was that an alternative diagnosis to crohn's, in addition to crohn's and was it because of results of IFA test or because your B12 had come back low (which would mean it could be medics using PA as a short hand way of saying you have a B12 deficiency caused by absorption problems ... and potential absorption problems would include crohn's.

If you have crohn's then the likelihood is that you would have other deficiencies going on - and if those included folate that will also need to be addressed so you can process and use the B12 you have been given.

Sorry - can't give anything very definite - just a lot of questions.

[philward in reply to Gambit62]

Crohn's test was negative but it was that set of blood that showed B12 deficiency. On advice of others here about absorbsion, checked with doc and also taking Folic acid tablet once per day now.

Also still following low FODMAP diet for IBS.

Also followed the lime and tonic tip which has helped a lot.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to philward]

does sound as if low stomach acidity is an issue then rather than Crohn's.

Have you been tested for coeliacs as well? not really that familiar with FODMAP so not sure how it interacts with gluten - if it is gluten free then checking for coeliac's isn't going to work as you need to have been on gluten for the test to be useful ... just had a look at foods to exclude on FODMAP and does look as if it is gluten free

- definitely not a diet for me if it means avoiding garlic and onion

[philward]

Yes, not coeliac either. No onion and garlic too a lot to overcome but can have garlic infused olive oil which works well.

FODMAP is strange as not allowed spring onions or leeks, but allowed the green parts of onions and leeks.

To be honest is caused more issues for those around me than me, same with most different diets I guess.

Have become a better cook though so some benefits.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi philward It is not uncommon for some symptoms to seem to get worse before they get better once the B12 starts repairing the damage done to your nervous system. Hopefully things will improve soon and it's best not to stress too much so early in the treatment, but there is no hard and fast timetable as we are all different and a lot will depend on the severity and longevity of the deficiency.

It's a good idea to list your symptoms and every day score from one to ten how bad or improved they are so then you get to see what progress you are making.

Do you know whether your Folate level was tested as it is essential to process the B12 and will get "used up" in doing so?

I wish you well

[philward]

Folate was 7.4 in range of 2.80 - 19 taking Folic acid tabs currently