Hi everyone, I have PA (atrophic gastritis, positive parietial cell AB and anti IF). Despite monthly injections for about 18months my macrocytic anemia was still a problem, as well as weak painful legs. Then I developed spates of extrême breathlessness and dépression. My marvellous gastroenterologist who is open minded Read the documents I produced explaining That certain patients can have functional deficiency and started me on loading doses.The first noticeable change was the mood change no more dépression! My Blood work improved : Platelets and lymphocytes back in the normal range (first time in years) and now (4 months on) my legs are showing signs of improvement.
My doctor ordered an MMA test but only after treatment started and it came back normal. She suspects functional deficiency and she knows I have started self injecting. Whilst the test shows I am no longer suffering from a deficiency I'm reluctant to risk going back to dépression. I'm due a Blood test shortly if my macrocytic anemia has improved should I consider scaling down my injections? I inject twice a week.I'm afraid by over supplementing I May bring about a functional deficiency if I didn't have one before. On the other hand the improvements have been significant and I'm hoping my gastric issues might improve if I continue. Any thoughts? Advice?
Written by
expatkerry
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I am going to keep self-injecting every other day until I am satisfied that I cannot possibly get any closer to the old me. I'm not there yet and still believe there is perhaps more to be had. Then I will see what happens if I delay injections when feeling really good and see who notices - if no-one, I will very gradually lower frequency.
So far, every time I have tried, it has been very noticeable very quickly, and recuperation can be difficult. There are a limited amount of times you would want to risk the deterioration to find out your current needs, and of course the accompanying disappointment.
I no longer need a nap at all in the day, nor do I need to sleep for 14 hours, but the air-grabbing yawns, inability to concentrate for long periods, memory lapses and dizziness are stubbornly continuing. At least I'm awake ! It has taken a year and a half of self-injecting to get to this point, and I can live with that, but would rather not if I don't have to.
I was diagnosed with functional B12 deficiency after my B12 deficiency was being treated but symptoms kept returning. MMA tests showed consistently raised levels despite injections. I was not yet, at this time, self-injecting though. I was probably on 1 injection a month then - which was also insufficient for your wellbeing.
Was your homocysteine level ever tested ? (Mine came back as "normal")
"Significant improvements" to me sounds great, so why stop if there are more to be had ? Why would "over-supplementing" result in functional deficiency, when your body should naturally get rid of any excess? The Talbot and Turner report about functional B12 deficiency has "frequent injections" as the means of controlling the condition. In the absence of any other answer, I'd happily go with them.
Best of luck with the gastric issues. I'm currently trying Kombucha- nothing remarkable so far.
PS: I think fbirder is right and I think clivealive was certainly going to ask that ! I would be disappointed if he didn't, and surprised if his was not your first response. A bit worried, even !
thanks Cherylclaire, the reason I thought That You Can develop a problem from over supplementing was because Gambit62 (I think) mentioned it in another post. I haven't had a homocysteine test but Wonder if it's useful as the MMA test was normal. In any case the improvement in my général wellbeing speaks for itself. I'll carry on self injecting.
I have wondered if it is possible for a body with autoimmune problems to react against a sudden influx of B12, after having learned to survive without much of it for a very long period, which might explain why so many people feel worse before they feel better. But without the research, this is just guessing. You would think that somewhere along the line, your body would get used to it and stop fighting against it !
I never worry about the frequency, but worry far more that I might have peaked: Unacceptable !
That would be unlikely. Evolutionarily it would be a very bad thing. If you caught a gazelle and were lucky enough to get the liver then you would be consuming large amounts if B12. If doing that caused to to become deficiency for the rest of your life then you wouldn't do very well in the evolution stakes.
Sound argument from fbirder - knock yourself out as far as B12 goes, expatkerry . Keep your folate in top 1/3 of range if possible, and your ferritin the same was advice given to me and seemed to work well. As you know, both of these will need checking to ensure not going over. Unlike B12 , which your body can get rid of what is not necessary.
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