Blood Tests

[babs67]

How often should you have check up and blood tests when you have Pernicious Anemia. Also do you recommend having the Shingles vacination

[fbirder]

If you’re having injections then there is no point in testing B12 levels.

[babs67 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you for that information

[Nackapan]

I have iron and vitamin d and folate and magnesium tested 3 -4 months at present. I'm taking iron so it should be monitored. Sp depends on tour status. If you are stable with no defiencies then I imagine once a year. B12 isn't needed.

The shingle vaccination is entirely up to you as is the flu one. You will only be offered it on the NHS if deemed to be in an at risk group. Or working front line in health care as I was.

[babs67 in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you very interesting

[babs67 in reply to Nackapan]

Is having pernicious Anemia classed as an at risk group

[Nackapan in reply to babs67]

Sorry I don't know.

[Hidden in reply to babs67]

It is at my surgery as otherwise I would not qualify for the flu vaccine

[wedgewood]

I heartily recommend having the shingles vaccination. I haven’t had one , and have just been though the most hellish 4 weeks imaginable with shingles , and still ongoing . I know it may not prevent shingles entirely , but if you are unfortunate enough to get it , it will be milder and shorter , as with the ‘flu vaccination.

One only gets shingles if one has had chicken pox as a child . That virus then stays in ones system forever , and is ”reawakened ” in adult life , probably if the immune system is weakened for one reason or another , and causes shingles.

[PippyLou in reply to wedgewood]

Hi I can totally relate to this, I had horrendous shingles earlier this year and the pain was like nothing I’ve had before. If you are offered the vaccine then please accept it as any help to prevent it would be advisable. I had not been diagnosed with PA when I had shingles but now I have been then all the symptoms and illnesses I have experienced for many many months make sense and I hope treatment will ease them soon.

[wedgewood in reply to PippyLou]

Yes , shingles pain is indescribable . I didn't get to the doctors soon enough . There is an anti-viral treatment for Shingles , but it must be taken very early on if you are to benefit .

I can’t wait to be free if the pain , but it is starting to shift now , after almost a month .

Best of luck with your PA treatment . If you find it difficult to get sufficient injections to keep your symptoms at bay , you know where to come for advice ! Best wishes !

[PippyLou in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you Wedgewood ☺️ Yes I missed the 3-5 day window for the shingles anti viral too unfortunately. I’d say it took a good 6-8 weeks for the pain to go completely (still left with scar on back to show for it though) so I hope you don’t have too much longer to suffer 🥴. My GP practice have been beyond excellent tbh and I’m currently half way through loading dose of B12 injections (every other day for 3 weeks) and they have advised me to keep a diary of how I feel afterwards and to go back before the recommend 12 weeks for top up if I feel the need. I really can’t praise them enough 🌟.

Finding this site has been a god send as its great to know that the seemingly unrelated, strange symptoms that come with PA are normal and that with treatment things can improve. Thank you for your reply and offer of support, the same goes here if ever you need 🙂.

[Tricia2747]

Hi babs,I don't think they do regular blood tests, as when I have had blood test for different things,my Dr usually adds b12 test.I think it's because they always read high,my last one,was 2000.I m due my next b12 next week,but I'm also having my shingles injection same time, Dr assures me it's ok, ! But! was told that having my flu in would be ok, when I had a cold was ok, but I landed up feeling really ill with a virus (flu or not?)who knows,but next fri,watch this space.

(are you over 60 and told you can have shingles inj) it is worth having,as the older you are an attack of shingles can be horrible.Hope this reply useful

Tricia.