B12 deficiency and peri menopausal

[Kirstiet]

Hi I've written a post below I've been peri menopausal and b12 deficient for 6 months I'm on esttette duo 1mg for menopause and had the 6 loading b12 shots due another in two weeks... the thing is I'm in agony with a oainit seems to be at my left rib just below my breast it starts off not to bad by the end of the day it's unbearable I've had physio on my left shoulder blade as she said the muscles were so tight my question is are these pains due to my b12 and menopsuse,,, the pain seems to go from my left rib area to the top of my stomach up into my breast and round to my shoulder blade and middle back I've a week ago been given galabin for nerve pain as that's the latest the dr has came up with I seriously just feel something bad s wrong I was fine 6 months ago now this also getting like fluttering in my chest burning mouth horrible taste and my teeth feel sore and headaches which I've been told are b12 symptoms.. I also have high bp and psoriatic arthritis thanks in advance for any help xx

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Sorry to read about the pain you are in.

"been given galabin for nerve pain"

Do you mean gabapentin?

Some anti-epileptic drugs (gabapentin is an anti-epiletic drug but is also used to treat neuropathic pain) have been linked to lower B12 and lower folate levels.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/212...

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/gabape...

Before I started B12 treatment I used to have a lot of pain, including very painful muscle spasms.

I'm not sure how the menopause effects pain levels or how any HRT can affect pain or interact with other medications or pre-existing conditions.

"had the 6 loading b12 shots due another in two weeks"

Do you have any neuro symptoms eg tingling, pins and needles, tinnitus, tremors, memory problems, balance issues?

B12 Deficiency Symptoms

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

b12d.org/admin/healthcheck/... (may need to be B12d.org member)

In UK, people with b12 deficiency with neuro symptoms are supposed to have following treatment regime.

A B12 loading jab every other day for as long as symptoms improve (could mean loading jabs for weeks even months) then a jab every 2 months.

For people with B12 deficiency without neuro symptoms

6 loading jabs over 2 weeks followed by a jab every 3 months

Info on UK B12 treatment can be found in

1) BNF British National Formulary Chapter 9 Section 1.2

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

2) NICE CKS

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

3) BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

B12 books I found useful

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society) based in Wales, UK.

"Living With Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Has several case studies.

" Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses " by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (USA authors)

Very comprehensive with lots of case studies.

B12 websites

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no [phone] answerphone

B12 Deficiency Info

b12deficiency.info/

Risk Factors for PA and B12 deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/what-are...

b12deficiency.info/who-is-a...

I hope you find something that is effective in reducing your pain.

I am not medically trained.

[Kirstiet]

Hi thank you for the reply yes it is gabapentin I got them just last week, I was having the tingling and itching but it was more for the pain in my stomach my dr thinks it could be nerve pain but I'm not convinced of this as it feels more of a pressure and pain at my left rib and breast area, as I say this has went on for 6 months now I've had a heart trace and ct scan on my stomach at the beginning of it all and they came back clear do I think my dr is at a loose end as to why I'm still in pain. I get a burning in my shoulder blade going into my breast with a tingling it's usually just my left side but on occasion my right side to but never as sore as my left side ,I just thought after the loading shots I'd feel better, the cramps in my legs and fatigue have improved greatly it's more just the pains in my stomach breast shoulder blade. And headaches I get them frequently also the horrible tingling in my face and mouth with a bad taste and nausea thank you again for replying I'm going to try and get an appointment this week at dr I feel I've never been away from them in the past few months xx