Hi everyone.
This is my first post although I've visited a few times but have difficulty getting my foggy brain together to post. My story is quite complicated and not sure what to leave out to prevent the post getting too long but apologies in advance if it does and thanks also if you can offer any help.
I have had health issues for many years but managed with varying treatments surgeries and sheer determination until the end of 2014 when blood tests showed iron deficiency anaemia despite me not having periods due to longterm treatment of endometriosis. I had had years of abdominal pain and diarrhoea (sorry) which had some links to the "endo" as I had it on the bowel with very thick adhesions. Fast forward to 2008 I had two hospital admissions with severe pain diarrhoea and dehydration which needed intravenous fluids for several days. I had biopsies the second time which were queried as colitis but I was unaware of that and had no follow up. I had a diagnosis of functional gut disorder so tried to get on with it and made few changes to try and remain in my job as a part time staff nurse which I loved. Sadly I'm no longer practicing due to my health deterioration. I changed my hours and role but I was getting increasingly tired and losing concentration which I thought was due to missing meals etc.
After being investigated again by a different consultant for my abdominal pain/symptoms I was surprised to be told I had low b12 level was 177 I also had mri and other tests which led to the diagnosis of Crohn's in the terminal ileum which she said was the reason I wasn't absorbing b12. I used to be able to take vitamins and iron if needed but started getting flare ups of severe pain and diarrhoea after 1 or 2 days of taking any.
Fast forward again and I have low Vitamin D and low folate levels. As I can no longer take oral supplements I have injections and infusions for iron deficiency. The folate deficiency is now lower I think the last level was 2. I was started on b12 injections but I was told I would only get one! I have a good gp surgery and 2 or the drs know me quite well so after quite a while of retesting my bloods refusal by the lab to test which caused delays as the drs would only treat if they had a recent blood test. I asked a practice nurse who got me onto loading doses shortly after the one I'd had a week or two before. I then had 3mthly injections but as time went on I noticed more symptoms were not improving mainly the fatigue and brain fog plus some altered sensation in my feet which I'd had a few yrs previously but thought it was the hormone treatment I was on to stop my periods.
I'm sorry this is so long...i just can't think straight I used to be so "on the ball" but I'm so forgetful its scarey. I currently have the sighing that I read is typical of low b12 but I'm puzzled by that as my gp agreed to me having my b12 injections every 8 weeks which I've had the third 8wk inj on 23rd Nov.
I am not currently iron deficient after a blood test at the end of Oct. My vit D is low at 15 it was 10 before my injection in May when I had another iron infusion and I'm due another test but I don't have the energy to actually go for it. I have joint and muscle pain which is making everything much harder which the gp is going to investigate next after the vit D is resolved. No one seems to know how to treat the low folate level I've tried low dose and syrup but all give me abdominal pain so have to stop.
I also have an elderly mum with multiple health issues and recent problems with her vision which is a worry, so I need to be as well as I can be for her as I'm her carer.
Again thank you if you got to the end of this post and any thoughts very gratefully received.
Take care