Ulcerative colitis and pernicious anaemia

[Florikeet]

Hi Everyone, I was first diagnosed with PA ten years ago and the PAS literally saved my life ( see profile for further information).I have now been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I have symptoms identical to those I had before my initial diagnosis of PA and wonder if anyone knows if there is a negative interaction between the drug Mesalazine and the B12 cobalamin injection ? If so, I would be really grateful if someone would post a reply. Not travelling too well at present!

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I am not medically trained and don't know much about ulcerative colitis (UC) but have found some links that may be of interest.

I've assumed you're in UK. If you're elsewhere, some info in my reply may not be relevant.

NHS link about Ulcerative Colitis, easy to read

nhs.uk/conditions/ulcerativ...

Next links are aimed at health professionals

Includes medical terms and possibly some details that could be upsetting.

NICE guidelines - Ulcerative Colitis (includes a flowchart)

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng130

NICE CKS (Clinical Knowledge Summary) - Ulcerative Colitis

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/ulce...

Your CCG/Health Board may have its own local guidelines on management of UC.

I suggest you get hold of these and compare the local guidelines to any national guidelines eg NICE links above if you have time as sometimes local guidelines can differ from national guidelines.

Any concerns about medication should always be discussed with your GP.

Local pharmacist may also be helpful.

BNF (British National Formulary)

GPs will have a BNF book which contains recommendations on prescribing various medicines/drugs for doctors.

BNF information is also available online.

BNF entry on Mesalazine

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/mesala...

I'm wondering if the effect of the UC on your gut is affecting absorption of some nutrients.

Have you got recent results for folate, iron and Vitamin D?

I'm mentioning these because it's fairly common on this forum to have these deficiencies as well as B12 deficiency.

"I have symptoms identical to those I had before my initial diagnosis of PA"

How often are you getting B12 injections?

I'm wondering if you are getting enough B12.

Hydroxocobalamin is the form of B12 usually used by NHS for B12 injections.

BNF Hydroxocobalamin

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

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

If you're a PAS member it may be worth talking to PAS.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

PAS website has useful leaflets/articles.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/

Links below are to forum threads where I left detailed replies with lots of B12 info which you may find of interest eg causes and symptoms of B12 deficiency, UK B12 documents, more B12 books, B12 websites, B12 articles and a few hints on dealing with unhelpful GPs.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

[Sleepybunny]

UK charities supporting patients with colitis and other gut conditions

Crohn's and Colitis UK

crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/abo...

Guts UK

gutscharity.org.uk/

[Florikeet]

Thank you, Sleepy BunnyI am in Australia so unable to access most of the sites devoted to UK citizens only.

Was interested to see that hydroxocobalamin is now availabile in the UK as it has always been available OTC here. However, possibly due to our multicultural population, PA appears to be less common than it used to be here and I had a nightmare journey to have it understood and recognised.

[Sleepybunny in reply to Florikeet]

Hi,

Here's a link to a Crohn's and Colitis charity in Australia

crohnsandcolitis.com.au/

Sadly B12 ampoules for injection are not available over the counter in UK.

UK forum members who can't manage on NHS treatment have a choice of getting B12 injections from private GPs/private hospitals or from beauty clinics or sourcing their own ampoules from European pharmacies.

The person who runs B12 Deficiency Info website has been campaigning to get B12 ampoules OTC in UK but no luck so far. She discusses it in some of her blog posts.

B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/

[Polaris]

blog.vitasciences.com/vitam...

As you're in Australia, you might be interested in this excellent article written by a fellow Australian :

martinecotton.medium.com/18...

PS Having had many gut problems, I found turmeric in warm water, (recommended by a forum member, who was given this in India), worked really well.

Warm wishes for better health Florikeet

[Ctadds1]

I just posted something similar. I get B12 injections and Susie RC I have PA. I am experiencing symptoms that seem to be ulcerative colitis. If flares up on me every could of months. I am wondering what your symptoms are and if you have found a like between UC and PA.