PPIS making me not absorb b12

[Nanny23]

Hi I have to take a proton pump inhibitor for Barrett’s esophagus. It’s an acid blocker which blocks acid in the intestine. I tried taking other meds to no avail. If I don’t take this drug I could get esophageal cancer. I have to take B 12 injections now. If I don’t my feet get numb. Do the injections work?

[wedgewood]

Yes , they will work . The injections by-pass your stomach , so you will get your B12 . But the PPI will leave you with low/ no stomach acid ( ( Hypochlorhydria/ Achlorhydria) ) This can result in poor absorbtion of other vitamins and minerals . . It would be good to take a multi vitamin and mineral tablet . Also it’s very important to chew your food really well , as saliva contains enzymes that start the break-down process . . Having smaller meals more often helps also . There are preparations containing other enzymes to help in the break-down of food ( e.g. Solgar digestive enzymes) Look up diets for Achloryhdria. .( but obviously ignore advice to supplement with Betaine HCl )

Stomach acid is needed to keep the stomach flora balanced . Probiotic foods like raw organic sauerkraut ( you can make your own or buy it in health food shops or online ) real yoghurt , kimchi and kefir are very good sources . Probiotic capsules etc can also help , if you don’t like those foods .

Best wishes .

[Nanny23 in reply to wedgewood]

Thankyou s much for your help. I really appreciate it.

[Ashley820]

I have the same issues. I was found to have low B12 in August when all of the sudden my feet were going numb on top of extreme fatigue, palpitations, and just a feeling of unwell that I’ve never experienced before. I had taken protonix for almost 2 years by then for GERD. I stopped protonix and started weekly B12 injections. I was seeing a major improvement in some symptoms in about 3 months, but still experiencing numbness regularly. Then in December, my GERD flared horribly again and I had to go back on the protonix as it was unbearable with any other medication that I tried. My GI specialist thinks I’ll need to be on it long term. I’m still taking weekly injections and have numbness only in my big toe and the part of my foot directly touching it maybe once every one to two weeks which is a huge improvement for me. The injections do work. My primary doctor wanted me to start spacing them out to monthly, but I’m not able to yet without seeing an increase in numbness. I don’t know if/when I’ll be able to do that now that I’ve restarted the protonix. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t see improvement right away. My other symptoms were the first to improve but the numbness took much longer. My neurologist, who after much testing found that I have small fiber neuropathy from the low b12, said that nerve repair takes time and patience and that I shouldn’t get discouraged before the 6-12 month mark. Good luck to you!