I had low B12, just finished my loading doses on Friday, been on a multitude of drugs for nerve pain in left neck, arm n hand, diagnosed with OA in left C5-C7 in neck, waiting MRI
IF test came back normal so they won't diagnose PA (even though my father had it too) they want to put me on B12 tablets now instead of injections .
Last night I ended up at A&E with abdominal pains and the pain in my arm had worsened due to a fall the previous night when my left arm gave way and I smashed my face on the floor.
All the drugs GP has put me on, I've repeatedly told her the Tramadol are keeping me wired and awake at night, she won't believe me.
So has swapped loads of other drugs, in an effort to look like she's helping
Swapped my ibuprofen (which has never given me any probs) to Diclofenic
Last night doc says it's caused Gastritis so no more anti inflammatories and a shed load of GI drugs to try calm my stomach.
Is the gastritis possibly caused or linked to the B12 issues?
Should I try to inist on continuing B12 injections every 3 months?
Are there any other more conclusive tests for PA?
Written by
Mazcan
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Hi Mazcan, as far as I know the IF antibody tests are only around 50% accurate, so with the family history it seems like a no-brainer to treat you as having PA. They can also test antibodies for parietal cells (which produce intrinsic factor) and apparently 90% of patients with PA test positive.I'm sorry you've been so unwell. I don't understand why GPs have no problem prescribing all kinds of hard-core (and often expensive) medication, but are unwilling to give us the B12 injections we need.
I have lost a load of weight with chronic (mild) gastritis symptoms and intermittent diarrhoea and am now underweight and still losing. My GP is taking this far more seriously than the B12 deficiency and has referred me to gatro-enterology. Endoscopies both ends this Saturday. I suspect this will not show up anything significant and will be down to the B12 deficiency. I don't think GPs actually realise how debilitating our symptoms can be.I get very severe shooting pains, normally in my left shin, which fortunately only last a few seconds, but I wonder if these are also linked to B12 deficiency.
I totally agree MaisiethedogSince finding out about large red blood cells and my low B12 and Folate I think it explains alot that has been happening over the last few years.
Contacted my doctor for a call back this morning as since my fall in the early hrs of Friday morning my left arm pain has been bad and different, even full of Tramadol. I got a text back saying
'The duty doctor has reviewed your case, unless there has been a further fall you are adivised to continue the medication and keep your routine appt on Friday'
That is an appalling response and must leave you feeling very uncared for by your GP. The daft thing is, even if they’re only concerned about saving time and money, giving us the proper treatment will save costly complications in the long run, eg attending A&E. I hope you get some sense out of them. I have decided to fight for as many injections as they’ll give me and also take 1000 mcg sublingually.
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