Low ferritin,low vitb 12 & vit d

[Gitanshuma]

I am 40 yrs old female.I hv a problem of insomnia for last 12 years & on medication .For last 2-3 yrs I got swelling in my lower legs.I went through so many tests but no result (thyroid,NCT,Doppler,RA factor,CRP,Antigen etc) but no use .4 months back I got severe pain in my legs around ankles (in Achilles' tendons with swelling) I couldn't even walk ...with wrist, back & hip pain.Then Dr gave me ferritin test along with vit D& vitb12 test & the results were shockingly low .I m taking supplements for last 4 months but very little improvement. Wrist pain & back pain has gone but the swelling & pain in tendons are still thr. Not able to walk .Ferritin injunctions& vit b12 injunctions hv given to me ,vit d 60000 iu i m taking once in a week. Please help if someone has gone through similar problems. How long I hv to suffer with this deficiency.

Thanks

[Gitanshuma]

I hv heard that vit D oral supplements are better than injections without any side effects.I m taking vit D 60000iu for last 3 months but very little relief is thr . Pain in Achilles' tendons is there with swelling.I feel nutrition absorption is less due to my antidepressants & antipsychotic medicines but doctors refused this possibility.As these all problems started long back & I have been taking only these medicines . Please enlighten me ...is it possible .

Thanks

[Mashie44]

Hi - Sorry to hear it has been bad for you. Good news for you on the whole, if you have similar response to me, as my situation had parallels - my B12D was diagnosed after I had spent nearly a year on crutches with horribly painful Achilles tendons that got worse and worse. I had had neuro symptoms (pins and needles at night - along with insomnia) for some years that I put down to 'my age'. I also had lowish folate, low ferritin (for decades in fact) and low vit D.

I would say there is good news if your story can go like mine, although I would not say it is wonderful! After my first B12 injection i could stand without crutches for the first time in months. After 3 injections I could walk and even run upstairs. Now it is 10 months later and I still have considerable pain in the Achilles but things are much, much better.

I self inject once a week and take folate every day. My Vit D improved on its own (I usually spend quite a lot of time outside, maybe because I couldn't walk I was indoors more than usual until that was fixed).

Whenever I am going to do a lot of physical exercise, a long day (eg travelling) or have a stressful time (eg family meetings) then I take an injection a day before.

If I weren't able to self inject I think I would be a permanent invalid. I have experienced several times now what happens if I overdo things without injections upfront (or ready as an emergency). I find the folate is essential as well.

Hope things go as well - or better! - for you

[Gitanshuma in reply to Mashie44]

Thank you so much .. @mashie Doctors told me there is no need of B12 injections. I can take supplements to maintain it .....it's been 4 months but swelling in my Achilles' tendons is still there with pain .I can't stand & walk.I am putting weight which is making situations more worse.plus whenever I take my medicines (parxoteine & zolpediem) it gives more swelling & pain .. Don't know what connection is there .

[Mashie44]

I was booked in for surgery on both ankles when i was diagnosed B12D.. 6 weeks later the same surgeon said it was completely unnecessary.. because the tendons had healed (not totally, I still get pain after 10 months but it is manageable. And better than surgery!)

Do you think you could self inject? I have now done it many times but I am stressed before each time. I just keep focused on how much better it makes me feel.

If your b12 is low because you can't absorb it then supplements won't be enough... please do make sure and get injections if you need them... it is terrible to be in pain as you are! My reading suggested you need extra b12 and folate to heal the tendons. Achilles have particularly poor blood supply. So if your blood cells are a bit large that also makes it harder for your body to heal.

Be positive, have hope..and get to understand your results. Good luck!