Worsening breathing problems due to B12 deficiency?

[DaveT81]

Hi guys, I've been having a number of symptoms for the past 4-6 months which have increasingly become worse.

Most notably, I've had gastritis-like symptoms, including bloating, wind, stomach discomfort and reflux, which often comes with a sort of 'lump in the throat'/tightness in my throat that comes and goes. It can be helped a little bit by esomeprazole or ranitidine, and I'll often take wind-eze for the bloating.

The worse symptom for me though, is the shortness of breath. My private physician believed this was caused by the reflux but I'm still experiencing it without reflux symptoms and it's also become slightly worse since I last spoke with him. We've looked at a number of causes, I'm had a whole host of blood tests, chest x-ray, spirometry, heart echo and CT scan of neck, chest and abdominal. Only thing of note was some small abnormalities on my liver which the doctor performing was not concerned about. Said it's likely just cysts.

I've taken it upon myself to undergo a - mostly - gluten-free diet, I'm drinking lacto-free milk, mostly avoiding alcohol (and drinking gluten-free beer on the rare occasions I have a few).

The same GP I'm seeing has diagnosed me with general autoimmune disorder.

I originally had a single B12 injection, because my levels were just inside of a normal range and took vitD and folic acid for 4 weeks. Initially, I felt better for a few days but then it's almost like I crashed 3-4 days later. Breathing became worse, along with other symptoms.

At this point, I'm not sure what the next step will be. My GP diagnosed me with a general autoimmune disorder, as I don't exactly 'fit' any specific one (I believe) but my symptoms have become pretty debilitating. The breathing is the worst issue right now, but I've also experienced fuzzy/foggy head, blurry vision and sensitive ears. Gastro issues, weight loss that I've not really tried a lot towards, amongst other, smaller issues.

Any of you guys experience similar symptoms/experiences?

Cheers

[pvanderaa]

Try going off dairy completely. Instead of the lactose sugar, the casein protein in milk is similar to the gluten protein.

How does your stomach react over 48 hours to orange juice?

[EyeandDry]

Have you had a ferritin/iron panel test? When my ferritin was extremely low (still within range but at the bottom end) I had extreme difficulty breathing, I couldn't even walk up stairs. Also had a foggy head and found I couldn't string two words together on some days. Even though my blood iron level was considered "normal" I begged my doctor to give me an iron infusion. Voila! I was cured - took about two-three weeks to get my breath and energy back, but it worked. I now have an infusion every time my ferritin gets low, which seems to be about every 3-4 months. Doctors cannot tell me why my ferritin gets low and iron stays "normal" ...

[DaveT81 in reply to EyeandDry]

Thanks for your reply.

I've never actually had a single person suggest iron infusion.

I had medichecks with around 50 odd bloods done about 2 months ago and my iron level was -

IRON 23.28 umol/L 10.60 - 28.30.

However, ferritin was -

FERRITIN 45.3 ug/L 30.00 - 400.00

So it is definitely on the very low side. I have the breathing issues, trouble walking up stairs or even moderately short distances. I was running 3 times a week not so long ago, now I struggle to walk to the shop and back without losing my breath.

I may speak to my work colleague who is a nurse and see what she thinks. She may well be able to get me in for an iron infusion.

So is low ferritin a reason enough to warrant pushing for an iron infusion? I'm glad to hear this worked for you!

[ChitN in reply to DaveT81]

This is so interesting. I have the same symptoms as you, despite treatment with b12/folic acid for the past 5 months and my liver mri also showed a bunch of little dots which they told me probably “cysts” nothing to worry about. Your symptoms are so similar to mine that I’m wondering if the liver issue may be what’s causing it...

[EyeandDry in reply to DaveT81]

I sincerely hope this works for you as it has for me! You may first want to start taking iron supplements as was prescribed to me by my GP. It seems I have absorption issues as I was not able to absorb oral iron hence the infusions. Interestingly, I also cannot absorb oral B12 and have to have regular B12 shots as well! I have been tested for Pernicious anemia but results were negative. All your issues may well be to do with your 'gut' and it does sound like you are having issues anyway. I think a visit to the Pernicious Anaemia site will help you. This is where I found out about why I was short of breath and could not do the simplest of tasks. All the very best!

[DaveT81 in reply to EyeandDry]

Yeah, I appear to have a problem with absorbing B12 too. I had a shot about 6 weeks ago. Felt much better for a few days after, along with thyroxine, vitD and folate but then crashed a few days after starting.

All along my breathing never really improved.

I've bought a liquid iron supplement, and one in sachet form. Apparently they're both easier to absorb. I'll see how that goes, then maybe talk to my GP about an iron infusion.