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B12 def and IBS symptoms

spacey1 profile image
13 Replies

Lovely knowledgeable people -

I have IBS as well as B12 deficiency. It's never great, but for the last few months it's been horrible. I'm not particularly stressed, though I know that's a trigger. I've been tested for Coeliac twice and it's come back negative, and I had a colonoscopy last year which only showed mild diverticulitis. I know I have some food triggers, and I avoid them. It's getting to be a problem for my full time job, and I think I am losing weight, having only just this last year been able to put some back on.

Can vitamin supplements cause diarrhoea? I take a daily multivitamin and mineral, and I add folic acid and vitamin D. I was taking spatone but I stopped because that was definitely not helping. I could do with the iron, though, which is an issue.

Ideas? If it might be the vitamins, are there brands which are more gentle?

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13 Replies
ChitN profile image
ChitN

Have you been checked for C Difficile? This is what I was diagnosed with and I think it only worsened my B12 issues. Might be worth looking into.

spacey1 profile image
spacey1 in reply toChitN

Interesting. I've just looked it up, and I only have the diarrhoea and weight loss; I haven't had any antibiotics, and although I do work in a hospital, I don't do any 'hands-on' patient work. I think maybe it's also been going on for too long to be C diff too?

I can see how it would badly affect B12 symptoms!

ChitN profile image
ChitN in reply tospacey1

I had loose stools for 3 yrs before I was diagnosed. It was mild for me only loose stools, not diarrhea and only about 2-3 times a day...but once I started the antibiotics they were formed again. It was the strangest thing.

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood

If your B12 deficiency is caused by PA , you can get IBS symptoms .PA leads to low/no stomach acid—- Hypochlorhydria/Achlorhydria . This is caused by the antibodies that attack the parietal cells in the stomach.preventing production of stomach acid ( hydrochloric acid) Lack of acid upsets the stomach flora , and food starts to ferment intead of being digested . The result is pain , and gas . Acid drinks help this . I’ve heard of members who take lime juice or diluted organic cider vinegar to help .

Also , probiotics can help the stomach to establish its flora . A good one is Symprove ( apparently developed at Kings College especially for IBS) , unfortunately expensive . Bio-cult capsules have also been recommended by members . I hope this can help you .

spacey1 profile image
spacey1 in reply towedgewood

Thanks. I've no idea if it's PA, but lime juice and probiotics seem worth a try!

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply tospacey1

Yes, but do try a probiotic as well . Cheapest is home made organic sauerkraut eaten raw not cooked . I make my own using organic red cabbage and I chop onions in it . Delicious ! ( recipes on the internet )

spacey1 profile image
spacey1 in reply towedgewood

I think I may try a prebiotic in tablet form - cabbage and onion are TERRIBLE ibs triggers for me :)

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply tospacey1

Yes , of course , but sauerkraut is FERMENTED , and has produced loads of beneficial probiotics during fermentation , but I can understand that you are cautious . I doubt whether sauerkraut would have the same effect on you as normally cooked cabbage .

But it’s definitely an acquired taste !

spacey1 profile image
spacey1 in reply towedgewood

Haha, I'd have to try when I was in the house for a couple of days!

MoKayD profile image
MoKayD

I have had digestive issues since I had my gall bladder removed a few years ago. I also suffer from hot flashes (menopause). Recently I discovered a website that discussed histamine levels and how high histamine causes some women to experience hot flashes. I started eating a low histamie diet and making sure I included DAO enhancing foods like beets, olive oil and pea shoots every day. Not only have my hot flashes diminished but for some reason my digestive issues seem to have gone away. I don't know if this a direct result of changing my diet or just a coincidence, but I'm going to continue this way of eating.

DebbieJane profile image
DebbieJane

I have P.A. and IBS and along side avoiding my trigger foods which include excesses of fat, dairy and wheat, I have found taking a combination of prebiotics and probiotics very helpful.

Mandlou profile image
Mandlou

Sibo from low stromache acid .. big possiblity fod map diet may help but really need correct whst causing dtomache acid i would think x

NovicePA profile image
NovicePA

I suffer with ibs and agree with the gut flora comment re low stomach acid. Low FODMAP diet helps deal with symptoms but also take probiotics/acid supplements if I know I have had a high FODMAP load.

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