Does the brain fog ever go away?

[Aaro]

I'm having this brain fog for the last 2 years along with balance issues, pins and needles and fatigue.i recently made the connection. Brain fog is the worst of all, it has destroyed my life. I wanted to ask if someone faced a similar problem and recovered from this. Is the damage irreversible? I just want the brain fog to go away

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Aaro Can you say a little more about yourself?

For example have you been diagnosed with a Vitamin B12 deficiency and if so what treatment are your receiving (or giving yourself)?

"Brain Fog" is one of many symptoms of a B12 deficiency as too are the other symptoms you list.

Anyone at any age, can become B12 deficient. However, certain people are at an elevated risk. They include the following:

Vegetarians, vegans and people eating macrobiotic diets.

People aged sixty and over

People who’ve undergone any gastric and/or intestinal surgery, including bariatric surgery for weight loss purposes (Gastric bypass).

People who regularly use proton-pump- inhibitors. H2 blockers, antacids, Metformin, and related diabetes drugs, or other medications, or infections such as h-pylori that can interfere with B12 absorption.

People who undergo surgeries or dental procedures involving nitrous oxide, or who use the drug recreationally.

People with a history of eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia).

People with a history of alcoholism.

People with a family history of pernicious anaemia.

People diagnosed with anaemia (including iron deficiency anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia).

People with Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gluten enteropathy (celiac disease), Pancreatic insufficiency, or any other disease that cause malabsorption of nutrients.

People with autoimmune disorders (especially thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease) Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, lupus, Addison’s disease, ulcerative colitis, infertility, acquired agammaglobulinemia, or a family history of these disorders.

Can you see yourself among any of the above people?

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

I wish you well.

[Aaro in reply to clivealive]

I had a level of 180 pg/l 2 years back but I didn't think much of it and brushed it off but I got retested this week and the levels are the same iv been taking methylclobamin on and off but it didn't help much. I also have vitiligo

[wedgewood in reply to Aaro]

The level of Vitamin B12 you quote is low , and with the symptom of brain fog ( is that the only symptom you have ? ) you certainly need treatment . Are you self treating or has the Methylcobalamin been prescribed? Are you taking tablets ? If you have Pernicious Anaemia, you will not be able to benefit from tablets and will need injections. Are you consulting a doctor ?

[Aaro in reply to wedgewood]

I'm having pins and needles, balance issues along with the brain fog. I'm self treating right now with pills but planning to go to the doctors on Monday. I have vitiligo so I think I might have pa

[Ashfaren in reply to Aaro]

how's ur fog now ?

[Aaro in reply to Ashfaren]

Not much improvement sadly

[Ashfaren in reply to Aaro]

Have u figured out the cause for brain fog?

[Aaro in reply to Ashfaren]

No I thought b12 might be the cause but i doubt it now. I have tried multivitamin, anti immflamation meds and selenium but nothing seem to help

[Ashfaren in reply to Aaro]

can i pm u?

[Aaro in reply to Ashfaren]

yeah sure

[Ashfaren in reply to Aaro]

okay

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Aaro]

Do you know what the range <from --- to> was used for your B12 as different labs use different ranges but I'm guessing that you are borderline deficient.

When your doctor gave you the results did he not suggest any treatment?

Was your Folate level tested?

I was hoping that you would be able to identify the cause of your "low" B12 from among the "people" listed above.

For instance your diet needs to include animal products - meat, fish, seafood, eggs, poultry, dairy produce.

Your age may be important, any surgery you've had, any medications which may affect absorption of nutrients etc. etc. Look at the list.

Establishing the possible cause can determine the treatment needed.

You say you've taken methylcobamalin "on and off" - what form was that in, how often and for how long?

Unfortunately, a severe deficiency may cause damage to brain and nerve cells that is very difficult to reverse and early detection can be critical in preventing permanent neurological damage so you do really need to get this sorted.

Please remember I am not a medically trained person.

[Aaro in reply to clivealive]

The reference range was 200-900 and mine was 186 same as 2 years before. I had it privately tested so I'm yet to go to the doctor and my folate was 11. I took pills but didn't them on a daily basis. I have vitiligo so I think I might have pa but I don't eat meat that often so I don't know

[wedgewood in reply to Aaro]

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition. They seldom come alone . It’s possible that you have PA , also an autoimmune condition .

It’s often difficult to get an accurate test (Intrinsic Factor Antibody test) as it is the only one for P.A. available in UK , and notoriously unreliable if it turns out negative. But , if you have the test , you have a 50 % chance of it being accurate .

I’m assuming that you are not vegan or a very strict vegetarian . But as you have been supplementing with Methylcobalamin, that really should make no difference . You also need a good amount of folate/folic acid to act with the B12 .

I think you need B12 injections . Your symptoms have been around for a long time . Best wishes .

[deniseinmilden]

The answer is yes - but only if you have enough B12 injections - ideally hydroxocobalamin - and supporting supplements.

I was particularly bad and have other absorption and metabolism issues but it has taken 4 years at a high level of jabs and supplements for me to get back to having a clear head so don't despair but you must have the right treatment.

You need to get B12 injections from your Dr.

You are likely to also benefit from a broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement plus extra folate, potassium, magnesium and iron, ideally from your diet.

What country do you live in?

[Aaro in reply to deniseinmilden]

I live in India

[deniseinmilden in reply to Aaro]

I hope you can get the treatment you need and get better soon. Very best wishes to you.

[Alfabeta]

Hi Aaro

I had nominal aphasia, terrible memory and regularly forgot things. After four years of treatment I am much improved but still not back to wear I used to be. In fact, I had these issues for several years prior to being diagnosed as b12 deficient.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I still have brain fog but it is much better than it used to be.

Link about "What to do next" if B12 deficiency suspected.

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

Symptoms of B12 Deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Risk Factors for PA and B12 Deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/what-are...

b12deficiency.info/who-is-a...

Do you eat plenty of B12 rich food? Being vegan or vegetarian can be a risk factor for developing B12 deficiency.

Have you ever had tests for PA (Pernicious Anaemia), Coeliac disease, H Pylori infection?

B12 books I found useful

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society).

"Living with Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Has several case studies.

"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (USA authors)

Very comprehensive with lots of case studies. There is also a paediatric version of this book "Could It Be B12? Paediatric Edition: What Every Parent Needs to Know".

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK. Has members in other countries.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no [phone] answerphone

B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/

B12 Awareness (US website)

b12awareness.org/

Stichting B12 Tekort (Dutch website with English articles)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

If you are in UK, I suggest reading the documents listed below.

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

Flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

BMJ B12 article

bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226

BNF

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

NICE CKS

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

I am not medically trained. There is more B12 info in pinned posts on this forum.