More info on my previous post

[b-m-h]

Hi me again, should have mentioned my background, my father and brother had PA and B12 injections monthly (both had strokes and died of heart attacks, mother died of stroke) Sister and I have PA and 3 monthly injections. I asked if tablets would be better but was told I cannot absorb B12 from stomach so must be injections. Just thought I'd mention this.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi b-m-h when you are in Africa are the injections you get there cyanocobamalin, hydroxocobamalin or methylcobamalin? If cyano that could explain why they are monthly.

Here in the UK if you have P.A. with neurological symptoms your "maintenance" B12 injections should be every eight weeks - not twelve - in accordance with the N.I.C.E guidelines. You might like to mention that to your sister and certainly impress it upon your doctor and get him to read the guidelines.

google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j...

You also need to get your Folate level checked. There is a complex interaction between folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency of one may be "masked" by excess of another so the three must always be in balance. Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body.

It is doubtful that taking B12 tablets will be of much benefit but there would be no harm in trying them, as you cannot overdose on B12. Personally I use a B12 spray which I find helps a bit between my cyano injections which I now have every three weeks.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had P.A. for more than 45 years.

I wish both you and your sister well and am sorry to read about your parents and brother.

[b-m-h in reply to clivealive]

Thank you Clivealive. I don't know which I was given in SA. I went to see my doctor armed with your advice on guidelines if they were needed. I asked if it was possible to try injections every 2 weeks, he looked at my graph showing past test results and my profile (I have to take high blood pressure tablets and carry a spray for angina) and my family records and said he wouldn't write me up for 2 months as he thought I needed them every month. So he has changed my prescription to monthly injections. I couldn't thank him enough - he just smiled and said "I treat my patients as individuals and not by what are advised as guidelines". What a true doctor I have, should have gone sooner. Wish everyone could have someone like him.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to b-m-h]

So pleased to read you are now getting the treatment you need and a "well done" to your doctor.

[b-m-h]

Will see nurse to get Foliate checked. Thanks