I have PA due to lack of intrinsic factor. I’m really struggling at the minute with basic tasks, like writing a sentence. I tend to miss a odd word out and I completely forget how to spell, even simple words. The brain fog is unreal! I had a embarrassing moment at work the other day and it’s really starting to effect my confidence, especially in the work place. I know the word in my head but can’t type it out. Is this normal for PA suffers?
I had a brief chat with my employer and they said “I don’t need to know unless you are going to pass out, at work”. Then my phone rang so the conversation ended and it was never brought up again. I’m getting anxious about work and I don’t know where I stand with it all. Should I try have another conversation with my employer and say my may be effect for short period of times. I work in a school so it’s vital I can spell and use excellent grammar.
I self inject every other day and I take all the co factors needed (I think).
Can anyone offer any help or advice? Can I get additional support from anyone or organisations? I’m at my lowest with all this now, planning on speaking to the doctor first thing Monday.
Many thanks in advance x
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Iheart_TS
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If you have a disability (an enduring health condition that’s affected you for more than 12 months or can be expected to) you are entitled to reasonable adjustments at work in the UK. I consider my PA to be a disability as every time my levels drop I struggle with brain fog and tiredness. This is regular and has been happening for years.
If you’re from the UK I’d check on the ACAS website for what conversations you can have with your employer
Hi sorry to hear you are experiencing this. Please be really careful with your job depending which company you work for I experienced very similar situation however having been with the company for 25 years my “New” manager decided I was not able to do the job anymore I wish I had never said anything because until I spoke about it my boss or colleagues were not really aware how bad I was. I could hide it quite well. I was really upset to find myself unemployed at 59 years old I have been unable to get another job and really lack any confidence in my abilities any more.
I think this post gives sage advice. Especially when we are sensitive about our limitations and we assume everyone is picking up on them. It is not always true.
"I know the word in my head but can’t type it out. Is this normal for PA suffers?"
Word finding issues is indeed a symptom of b12 deficiency. Mine was awful before diagnosis and then totally turned around after loading. And I mean a huge turnaround. Near the end of not being diagnosed I was sometimes slurring words, saying a different word than I was thinking, and like you are listing various word-finding and editing matters. They all pretty well alleviated with early injections.
However, I am in a stressful situation right now and I have found that it has returned somewhat. I went back to a more aggressive injection schedule and that certainly has helped but has not totally eradicated it.
I bring up the stress because I was told that it can impact the b12. I don't know how true that is, but it has certainly played out for me. So I would concentrate on that part. Getting the support you need via the PAS, and then doing whatever you need to simply let it go as much as you can. To keep your stress levels at bay.
I do know how frustrating it can be. I went through a period where I would continually leave out entire words in sentences, and could not even see that on a first or second edit. Yesterday it took me a long time to come up with *unless* in my head. And then the opposite like you report - know the word but can't type it.
But it all does get better. I could not have written this post early on.
Not sure if you are taking magnesium but higher amounts/different types can impact brain fog.
Someone posted that on here. And at the same time I had to make some changes in supplementation due to budget. I made a change with magnesium and noticed an immediate difference with brain fog, it was becoming more of an issue.
Well let me rephrase - when I saw that post I realized that it was indeed the magnesium. I lowered the amount with the new form and felt a difference.
Point 1 in above link is about being under treated for B12 deficiency with neuro symptoms.
The link has letter templates that people can base their own letters on.
Vital that a person with B12 deficiency gets adequate treatment or there could be further deterioration including an increased risk of permanent neurological damage such as SACD, sub acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper
Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society). BNF treatment info in book is out of date. See BNF link in this reply for up to date info.
"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (USA authors)
Very comprehensive with lots of case studies.
Lots of B12 info in my replies on the the thread below eg symptoms, causes of B12 deficiency, more B12 books, B12 websites, more B12 articles/documents and a few hints about dealing with unhelpful GPs.
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x 
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Can PA just disappear, even though you still suffer?
