I have been diagnosed with PA. Doctor 8s advising to start folic acid before my first injection. I think I have read that this is not right. Could you tell me what to say to the doctor. Also is it normal to have pains from your feet soles up to your head. pins and needles. cramps. bone type pain. jelly legs. Everything hurts.
Thank you for having me
So many symptoms are on' the list' of low folate and low b12 . Have you also had vit d tested and iron and thyroid.
Yes I thought b12 treated then folate. I expect it's a matter of waiting g until first b12 injection. Folate is only prescribed for a few months then 200-400mcg is adequate as a maintenance dose once your blood test shows levels up.
B12 need to br continued though whatever .
Treatment with folic acid while there is a B12 deficiency can exacerbate any neurological damage. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1...
Folic acid is one of the many kinds of folate. It is easily converted to other kinds. b12science.com/B12Science/D...
It's not only women trying to get pregnant who should take folic acid. Any female of childbearing potential is recommended to take 400 mcg of folic acid a day. medicinescomplete.com/#/con...
I also had low folate and was given 5mg per day for 4 months. It really helped. Within three days I was sleeping soundly, also not having to get up to pee four times a night. This was in the week before I stayed the loading B12 shots.
I now just take some over the counter 400 micro grams per day folic acid tablets.
Apparantly my folate level is very low along with b12. They are testing iron and for coeliac next. Then starting b12 injections, but they wanted me to start taking folic acid first. I'm not going to do that as I already have lots of neurological problems. Interestingly in Jan I woke up with bruised big toe from no incident. 3 days later shingle rash and severe illness. shingles attack every month for four months. 130 antivirals. tested for covid in June nasal was negative.Positive for Epstein Barre. I have felt worse the last 4 weeks than all that. I feel like my bones are on fire. really bad stomach problems and severe fatigue and vertigo. I'm really looking forward to start of b12 injections as I feel like I'm going to collapse all the time. Sorry for long post.
BNF says:-
Side-effects Frequency not known
Abdominal distension; appetite decreased; flatulence; nausea; vitamin B12 deficiency exacerbated
Cautions
Should never be given alone for pernicious anaemia (may precipitate subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord)
bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/folic-...
I suggest you point this out to your GP.
Do you get stabbing pains at all?
yes all over head face neck back legs feet. tingling and numbness and currently very sore spine and tummy issues.
Advice on Tests Please
Newbie... advice please
B12 injections - advice please
Auto injector advice please
some advice needed please 
