Can B12 deficiency cause Autonomic breathing problems

[montague53]

Does anyone know if B12 deficiency can cause problems with your autonomic system, in particular, I'm having sleep apnea and breathing problems. Its as if my body is forgetting to breathe properly. I also had pneumonia a few months ago. I don't feel I'm getting enough oxygen to my brain. Does anyone else relate to this.

[Queeniz]

i buy my own oxygen its the only thing i can do to be a bit more comfortable

[montague53 in reply to Queeniz]

Hi Queeniz, thank you for replying, do you really. Where do you buy it from and how do you use it. I have white matter and lesions on the brain as well as spinal degeneration and demyelination. I am sure that I'm not getting enough oxygen to my brain. I walk about taking big breaths all day.

[Damseltree]

I also have sleep apnea. I've had it for years. I was told thst the oxygen loss wasnt too serious. This was 20 years ago. I too wonder if there is any link.

[Ritchie1268]

Personally, I believe so.

I have "Central" sleep apnoea, that I believe has now vanished after regularly self Injecting B12.

Along with Pernicious Anemia, I was also diagnosed with Macrocytic Anemia. I would also gasp for air 3/4 times per day while relaxing, (Air hunger).

Since injecting every other day since Xmas, the air hunger has now completely gone & my AHI's per hour per night have dropped down to 0. 0.1, 0.2 etc.

Anything under 5.0 & people are classed as not having sleep apnoea.

The Macrocytic Anemia which affects the red blood count which carries oxygen to vital organs, improves with B12. Have you checked to see if you have MA?

[montague53 in reply to Ritchie1268]

Hi Ritchie, thank you for replying, that is so interesting. I was positive that I had Macrocytic anemia last year, but the G.P. kept saying that my bloods were not showing it. I had to sit up to sleep for 6 months because when I lay down I couldn't breathe. Also was very breathless when walking for even short distance or up a hill. It was so scary. I have lost the breathlessness now but still am having sleep apnea. Also feel that I still have shallow breathing, very slow sometimes. I walk about taking deep breaths when I remember to make sure Im getting enough oxygen. Also was a terrible colour and pulse was racing all the time. I was referred to the sleep apnea clinic and had an appointment that lasted all of 5 mins where the Dr said I don't think you have apnea, so he didn't put me forward for the sleep study. Was so annoyed, I haven't been taking seriously throughout my care. Nobody was listening to me or taking me seriously, and now I have sub-acute degeneration of the spine, white matter and lesions on my brain.

[Ritchie1268 in reply to montague53]

You're welcome & that's very sad to read that you're not taken seriously being left to suffer!

I think a lot of the time it's purely the luck of the draw if you end up with a good doctor or consultant or not.

I had an experience where my old doctor prescribed the Opiates for degenerative disc disease in my back, I became addicted to them, then when I needed the help to come off them, I was turned away by three drug clinics, all saying they couldn't help me, as it was 'legal' Heroin, not street Heroin, was passed around in circles for months & my old Dr didn't know how to help me.

I know this is what's caused all the issues I have now, but I'm now dealing with them in a different way & refuse to take medication after my experience. The mental health problems it caused me were terrible & I'll never go there again.

The PA caused peripheral neuropathy where nerves in my feet are damaged, but I was lucky enough to find a good neurologist that said to keep injecting B12 & the nerves will hopefully heal, but will take time.

I didn't really get out of breath as you do, but I did get the air hunger, again now vanished.

Can you change doctors? Or if you're a manner of the PAS, Pernicious Anemia Society, they can sometimes contact your doctor on your behalf.

Hope you get answers soon.

[Hidden in reply to Ritchie1268]

On your neuropathy was your feet weird color and cold and painful? Thanknyou

[Ritchie1268 in reply to Hidden]

Hi. My feet would feel wet at times, like I'd stepped in a puddle but were totally dry. As for colour, I didn't notice any difference to be honest.

[Hidden in reply to montague53]

I had the same issues as you with breathing still do. What color was your skin? And your heart rate? MY hr can get high to 125 just barely walking 115 eating and 100 resting. It’s hard to get the right help especially when you so many things. I did a sleep study and told me I was fine. I went through all rem stages but very broken sleep.. 2 hours here and there. Funny thing is he said my legs didn’t move at all at night. When I got the electrodes on my legs they were disconnected and well as my nose things.😕 . Sleep studies help for obvious things like apnea etc. complex sleep issues that don’t help really.. hope you find answers

[palmier]

B12 deficiency can lead to peripheral neuropathy which may affect motor, sensory and autonomic nerves, so I suppose it can cause breathing problems.

Breathing problems caused by peripheral neuropathy are mentioned in this link:

columbianeurology.org/neuro...