Don’t know what’s up...

[candy3257]

This past year I’ve been getting headaches once a month whereas I used to never get them. Then over the last couple of months, I’ve been getting them almost every other day, getting tired really quickly, having trouble focusing, and just overall don’t want to do anything. I’ve seen the doctor twice, and both times claimed they were tension headaches and I should just take Tylenol or Advil but I was wondering if there could be a difference cause to this....?

-18 year old female

-mostly vegetarian diet with occasional seafood

-currently exercising 2-4 times a week

-pharmacy assistant as summer job

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi candy3257 judging from the time of your question you are not in the U.K.

The following general symptoms are common in those with PA/B12 deficiency:

 The Strange Tiredness

 Fog days, where you have difficulty in thinking clearly

 Weakness

 Fatigue

 Upset stomach

 Abnormally rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) and/or chest pains

 Abnormal yellow colouration of the skin (jaundice)

 Heightened sensitivity to hearing, smell, and taste

 Vision distortion, e.g. seeing stars, or double vision

 Breathlessness

 Headache

 Cankers (ulcers) in the mouth

 Sleep disorders

 Intolerance to loud sounds, flashing lights

 Intolerance to crowded malls (needing personal space)

 Tinnitus – ringing in ears

1.2 Neurological Symptoms

The neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency may include:

 Numbness and tingling of the arms and more commonly the legs

 Difficulty walking

 Loss of balance

 Hands feel gloved with loss of sensitivity

 Loss of vibration sense, having to look down to see where you are walking

 Unable to close your eyes and stand on one foot

 Night vision

 Memory loss

 Disorientation

 Dementia

 Extreme mood changes

 Short term memory loss

Some experience many of these symptoms and some none of them. It depends on how quickly the PA is treated and on how well managed it is.

Do you have any other of the above besides the headache?

Your being vegetarian may put you at risk of developing a Vitamin B12 deficiency (albeit you eat seafood occasionally) and symptoms of B12 deficiency tend to develop slowly and may not be recognised immediately. Stress and tension may also "use up" B12.

Are you taking any medications which might affect your B12 levels?

We are born with several years "store" of B12 in our liver and this, like a battery, needs to be "topped up" and the only natural way is by eating animal products - meat, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy produce - milk, cheese etc. If you aren't eating enough of these your B12 level will drop and you will need to supplement it another way.

Personally I suggest you ask your doctor to test your serum B12 and depending on the result take it from there.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anaemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

[loves-dogs]

Consider PA, but also consider food reactions. Food reactions require a blood test and are not the same a food allergies. If you cannot get a blood test done, you can keep a food journal and see if there is a parallel between your symptoms and what you are eating. Also, eating too much of one food can eventually cause reactions to it.