Chronic fatigue help : I’m really... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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Chronic fatigue help

FelineGhost profile image
8 Replies

I’m really struggling with tiredness and any advice would be so helpful.

I get my b12 injection every 12 weeks because of confirmed anti-parietal cells but still feel so exhausted though. I’ve tried to request more frequent injections on a number of occasions but keep being told no, as my levels are “above normal range”. I’ve told the GP this is because I’m receiving the injections and I should be treated based on symptoms, which didn’t win him round.

I’m taking an liquid multi vit supplement as well as vit C and D. I’m working full time, but the tiredness is means focusing on work is about all I can manage.

Is there anything that’s helped anybody here because I feel like this level of fatigue can’t continue!

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8 Replies
cdragin profile image
cdragin

It's not uncommon for people who have one autoimmune condition (such as PA) to have another as well, and several of these can also cause fatigue. Have you had a physical to look for any other autoimmune conditions?

FelineGhost profile image
FelineGhost in reply tocdragin

Hi cdragin. Yeah, I’ve had further investigations for other autoimmune conditions, thyroid for example, but nothing else has been found.

VellBlue profile image
VellBlue

Sounds like you need more regular injections, so either need to convince your doc or self inject.

There are plenty of posts on here about both those things.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

I've been labelled with chronic fatigue which I seem to have as an ongoing symptom at present. I inject very frequently which has helped but there is no way can work .

I would try and have at least 2 monthly injections to trial so you dont get worse.

State any neurological problems in a letter to Gp.

It actually states in their guidelines 2-3 monthly.

This should not be a problem.

Keep it short and direct

PAs could help I'm sur if you a member.

Bnf guidelines 2-3 monthly b12 injections

Jengastar profile image
Jengastar

Yes I have chronic fatigue and though B12 helped, it’s not the whole picture. I’ve been through 6 years of private treatment here and there (as NHS didn’t offer anything constructive and said i had to live with it). I am currently seeing a new nutritionist who is giving me a supplement programme. Too early to say if it’s worked but she’s tested my energy production, she’s a biochemist, and has helped some other friends. Hope you’re ok, I lost my career and all the life I had planned to this fatigue (I also had other symptoms like joint pain) and it’s really lonely to deal with.

I had this too even though I’m having regular b12 injections, I couldn’t carry on this way and after much research I now supplement with NT factor physicians blend Nutrilink 03335770404… I don’t work for the company or anything I just saw it on doctor in the house and the fella had chronic fatigue … vitally as well I take methyl folate as I clearly don’t convert normal folate which isn’t uncommon ,as when I don’t take it my fatigue and brain fog is back… i hope this helps as it got me back on my feet…

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

"I’ve tried to request more frequent injections on a number of occasions but keep being told no, as my levels are “above normal range”"

Might be worth having one last go to get your B12 injections more often.

Have you considered putting your concerns into a letter to GP?

Unhappy with Treatment (UK info)?

Letters to GPs about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

Point 1 is about under treatment of B12 deficiency with neurological symptoms.

Link has letter templates people can base own letters on.

Letters avoid face to face confrontation with GP and allow patient time to express their concerns effectively.

Best to keep letters as brief, to the point and polite as possible. It's harder to ignore a letter in my opinion.

Keep copies of any letters sent or received.

CAB NHS Complaints and Advocacy Services

citizensadvice.org.uk/healt...

citizensadvice.org.uk/healt...

Are you a PAS member?

They can offer support and pass on useful info about PA.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

There may be some useful info in documents below.

UK B12 documents

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

Summary of above document

pernicious-anaemia-society....

BNF Hydroxycobalamin

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

See section in above link for those with "neurological involvement" if you have neuro symptoms. My understanding of BNF/BSH is that in UK, those with B12 deficiency with neuro symptoms should be on maintenance injections every 2 months.

NICE CKS B12 and Folate Deficiencies

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

Local Guidelines

If you have the time and energy, I suggest you track down the local guidelines for treatment/diagnosis of B12 deficiency for your area of UK and compare them with BSH/BNF and NICE CKS links.

Each CCG/Health Board/NHS hospital trust in UK will have local guidelines which sometimes differ from BSH/BNF/NICE CKS guidance.

Is your GP aware that under treatment of B12 deficiency increases the risk of permanent neurological damage?

May be worth drawing their attention to the risk of spinal problems if patient with B12 deficiency is under treated.

Neurological Consequences of B12 Deficiency

PAS news item

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS article about SACD, sub acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord

pernicious-anaemia-society....

"as my levels are “above normal range”."

Why is your GP testing your B12 levels?

Levels would be expected to be high if having injections.

See links below.

Testing B12 during treatment (PAS article)

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Testing B12 during treatment (English article from Dutch B12 website)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/engli...

Misconceptions about a B12 deficiency

stichtingb12tekort.nl/engli...

B12 article from Mayo Clinic in US

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Table 1 in above article is about frequent misconceptions about B12 deficiency.

Two useful B12 books

"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.

I am not medically trained.

I've written some very detailed replies with more B12 info eg causes of b12 deficiency, symptoms, more B12 books, more B12 articles, hints about how to cope with unhelpful GPs etc that you may find of interest.

Some links may have details that could be upsetting.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

"I’ve had further investigations for other autoimmune conditions, thyroid for example,"

I suggest you put any thyroid results on Thyroid UK forum on HU. Quite a few on here have both PA/B12 deficiency and thyroid issues.

Purplegirl2 profile image
Purplegirl2

I have low b12 and issue with chronic fatigue, I started on weekly injections, I’ll let you know whether that improves my fatigue, it definitely got worse when my b12 was lower.

I hope you can convince your Dr to get more frequent shots since more b12 does not hurt anybody.

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