Recently diagnosed with PA

[Melie3]

I’m just back from GP, I am due my final loading dose this afternoon, my GP said I will then have an injection every 3 months. I was querying if I should take folic acid with b12 injections, my folate level is 4, the range is between 4-20 so he said I’m not low. I have been taking a few folic acid tabs a day ( 400 one a day) My b12 level was 148, I had a blood test back in October at my old gp surgery and was 168, was never mentioned. He said maybe I should take a multi vit.

I’ve been poorly over the weekend, gastric problems, sickly etc. I was taking omeprazole upto my diagnosis, then I read it shouldn’t be taken so have taken Zantac instead, which hasn’t really helped. My gp said this morn to continue taking it, and he’s referring me for endoscopy 😩

I’m also d3 deficient so been taking 3000iu of them.

I’ve got a few symptoms, floaters in both eyes, tinnitus that I’ve had yrs, a numb left leg that I blame on weight, tiredness that I blame on life stresses lol. I initially went to gp because my feet have been sore and swollen most of summer.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Melie3 did your doctor tell you to stop taking the omerprazole?

[Melie3 in reply to clivealive]

No he said to continue, I take one every other day so he said if they are working to take them and he will book me to have a camera.

I’ve just seen nurse for my 6th

Injection she I’ve got to have a blood test in November to see what my levels are then. She looked at my folate level and said although it’s low it’s in range and not to take too much folic acid just the one a day type (400 ug, I can’t type correct symbol)

[Melie3 in reply to Melie3]

I did show doctor what the pamphlet that comes with omeprazole says, he said don’t worry too much if they work atm and once I’ve had this camera which I’m absolutely dreading it will show what I need to be taking?

[kmarrable]

Hi... I have been on Omeprazole for 8 years with no side affects.... but drugs/medicine have different tolerances on each and every person. All I can say is Omeprazole has reduced my acid reflux to zero and I do not feel sick fter eating any more. Best wishes. Ken

[Miss-guineapig]

Melie3, I had a separate problem before being diagnosed with PA, for which I was taking high doses of omeprazole and that in turn actually damaged my partial cells in my stomach. That's how I developed PA. Don't know if my answers any help but felt I wanted to share. Wishing you well

[Melie3 in reply to Miss-guineapig]

Thanks. I’ve taken an omeprazole today.

I’ve had my last injection, nurse said to me I should start to feel better on this final shot. I’m exhausted today though, twitchy right eye annoying me.

I’ve got to have a blood test in November to recheck levels.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

omeprazole isn't recommended for long term use but is often prescribed in this way.

zantac works in the same ways as omeprazole

Both can interfere with absorption of B12 in the stomach.

As you are having B12 shots you are no longer getting B12 through your stomach so the effect of omeprazole/zantac on B12 absorption is a bit irrelevant.

Sudden withdrawl from omeprazole is also not recommended.

However, one of the things that is likely to happen with PA is that your stomach stops producing acidity. This can actually lead to the same symptoms as high stomach acidity - so the symptoms you had that lead to you being prescribed omeprazole may well be related to the development of your B12 absorption problem. If I get acid reflux I will take something acidic to treat it - eg lime juice in water - but suggest you consult with your GP/pharmacist before stopping any medication.