Hi, I suffered from many symptoms of B12 deficiency for the past 12 months, one of which had been breathlessness, but only when walking up a hill or slope. If I pump myself full of methylcobalamin using sub-lingual tablets and a spray, this all but disappears!
Just recently I've noticed when relaxing quietly, such as lying in bed before I go to sleep my breathing is somewhat shallow and rapid. If I take a couple of deep breaths and fill my lungs then it returns to normal for a good few minutes.
Is this a symptom of air hunger or "The Sighs" other B12 sufferers talk about? I've have no other breathing related symptoms (ie cough, congestion etc.)
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seamail57
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Yes seamail57 I have long had the same "problem" - it's almost like I "forget" to breathe.
I'm not a medically qualified person but I've had Pernicious Anaemia for 45 years but that's said not to worry you into thinking that you have it too as you seem to resolve it by taking B12 supplements.
Try and find out what your Folate level is as this is essential to process the B12 and a deficiency of which has many of the same symptoms as B12 deficiency including "shortness of breath".
You can "bump up" your Folate by eating leafy green vegetables, sprouts, broccoli , asparagus, spinach etc or look out for it being fortified in breakfast cereals or buy some folic acid from your local chemist.
Personally I've taken 1 – Folic Acid 400μg tablet every day as a "maintenance dose" for more years than I can remember and my level was about 60% of "normal" at the last test
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