Hi,
Apologies if this has already been posted.
I felt there are likely to be many on this forum including myself who can relate to the letter in the blog post where the writer describes how being stuck with a mental health diagnosis meant doctors did not consider the possible physical causes eg B12 deficiency.
That's very interesting thankyou. I've sent it to my daughter.
So very sad that so many are forced to suffer what this poor lady suffered through lack of education by our healthcare system.
I cried when I read that letter as my life has also been severely damaged by incorrect mental health diagnosis and the resultant medication that didn't help. After self injecting every other day since February the mental health symptoms have gone entirely and neuropathic pain is considerably reduced. Decades of low B12 have caused a lot of neurological damage and it is only as I recover that they become apparent.
Hi,
I cried too...I was pushed down the mental health route despite me insisting there was a physical cause to my many symptoms. I know I am fortunate to have avoided dementia and permanent spinal damage. I had both dementia type symptoms and spinal symptoms plus many others when I was at my worst.
I tried several antidepressants but they had no effect, possibly because the depression was reactive depression from the frustration of wanting to do physical activities and go out and about but being too tired and in too much pain to be able to.
When I resorted to self treatment with B12, after years of trying to get it from NHS, my mental health issues improved immensely.
"Decades of low B12 have caused a lot of neurological damage"
I am sorry to read that you have neuro damage and I hope you find a neurologist who listens to you and understands B12 deficiency.
Neurological Consequences of B12 Deficiency
PAS news item
pernicious-anaemia-society....
PAS article about SACD, sub acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, access to full article for PAS members only. Non members can access a summary of the article.
pernicious-anaemia-society....
Blog post from Martyn Hooper's blog, mentions SACD
martynhooper.com/2010/09/21...
Symptoms of B12 Deficiency
pernicious-anaemia-society....
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
b12d.org/admin/healthcheck/...
Peripheral Neuropathy can be associated with B12 deficiency.
nhs.uk/conditions/periphera...
Link about writing a letter to GP if under treated for B12 deficiency with neuro symptoms (some info in link is UK specific).
b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...
Films about B12 Deficiency
Neurological symptoms are mentioned in the films.
B12 books I found useful
Neurological symptoms are mentioned in all these books below.
"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. I cried when I read this book as it was as if I was reading about myself.
"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (USA authors)
Very comprehensive with lots of case studies.
"Vitamin B12 deficiency in Clinical Practice" (subtitle "Doctor, you gave me my life back!" by Dr Joseph Alexander "Chandy" Kayyalackakom and Hugo Minney PhD
Yes I believe reactive depression is very likely particularly if the consequences of each episode is life damaging. Also the mode of action of antidepressants are in themselves very life limiting by suppressing "normal" emotions as are the side effects. In my case my wife, my house, my career, a significant public position and many, many friends.
As a former mental health worker I am always astonished at the lack of crossover between the physical and mental health professionals. I think anyone with mental health symptoms should have a full health screen, even working with new mums we couldn’t get basic bloods done when there was high risk of hormone and vitamin issues. It is due to the structure of the nhs and the underlying split of mind and body so a holistic approach is down to individual practitioners. Very frustrating as I also had years of a depression diagnosis, when actually it’s long term b12 deficiency plus thyroid abnormalities and other absorption problems. It just not well understood.
Hi,
"even working with new mums"
I suspect that some cases of post natal depression in new mums is triggered by the use of nitrous oxide in gas and air mix as pain relief in labour.
Nitrous oxide inactivates B12 in the body.
Nitrous Oxide
gov.uk/drug-safety-update/n...
NICE guidelines Nitrous Oxide ( see side effects section)
bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/nitrou...
Interestingly, the NHS Choices page on pain relief in labour suggests that gas and air mix has no harmful effects on mums and their babies.
nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy...
It does not mention that nitrous oxide inactivates B12 in the body or that use of gas and air mix may cause issues for women with low B12 levels to begin with.
B12 deficiency and pregnancy
b12deficiency.info/b12-and-...
B12 and Mental Health
Great blog post on B12 and videos from Prof Bruce HR Wolffenbuttel
Posting on Gastric diagnosis and the progression 
