I was diagnosed with PA on Monday! Thought I would come on here to say 'Hi' and maybe see if anyone can offer camaraderie with my experiences. The most challenging symptoms for me have been:
Fatigue
Some brain fog, but more annoying that interfering with functioning
Constipation
Body aching all over
Sadness
I started B12 injections on Monday. Having 3 a week for 2 weeks then once every 3 months.
A quick question, in case I do need a nasal spray...which one do you all think is the best / most potent?
Best wishes!
Written by
DocAJB
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Well welcome to the PAS forum . Great that you have joined . Also great that you have got a diagnosis . I’m sure that you will start to feel so much better soon . 3 monthly B12 injections may be fine for you , but sometimes patients need more regular treatment to see the back of P.A. Symptoms . If neurological symptoms remain, you can get 2 monthly injections, as is written in the guidelines for treatment . Some P.A. patients are unable to benefit from B12 sprays or sub-lingual tablets . So if you have any problems , do get in touch here for help . Best wishes .
I experienced the symptoms you listed and many others. The fatigue is much better now, so is my brain fog , my fibromyalgia type symptoms have gone .... in fact virtually every symptom has either gone or improved greatly.
Some UK forum members resort to treating themselves if NHS treatment is not enough.
With a PA diagnosis, worth joining and talking to PAS who can offer support and pass on useful info.
You appear to have been put on the treatment pattern for those without neuro symptoms.
If you have neurological symptoms, make sure GP puts you on recommended pattern for those with "neurological involvement".
Each CCG (Clinical Commissioning Board/Health Board/NHS hospital trust in UK is likely to have its own local guidelines on treatment/diagnosis of B12 deficiency. Might be worth tracking down the local guidelines for your area of UK and comparing the info in them with BNF, BSH and NICE CKS links in this reply.
To find local guidelines for your area of UK ...
1) search forum posts using terms "local guidelines"
2) search internet using "name of CCG/Health Board B12 deficiency guidelines"
3) submit a FOI (Freedom of Information) request to CCG/Health board asking for access to or a copy of local B12 deficiency guidelines.
I hope you are not in the UK area discussed in blog post below which has a poor reputation on this forum for how B12 deficiency is managed.
If you click on "project documents" then on "consultation comments and responses" it gives a good insight into current issues around diagnosis and treatment (over 40 pages).
Welcome! I was officially diagnosed with PA in November, but have been doing weekly injections due to low B12 since October. I think you'll find this group very supportive and encouraging...at least I have. Everyone here has been not only a great resource, but I've found a lot of comradery when I've expressed frustration or have asked for suggestions. Best of luck to you!
Links to forum threads where I left detailed replies with lots of B12 deficiency info eg causes and symptoms, more UK B12 documents, B12 books, B12 websites and B12 articles and a few hints on dealing with unhelpful GPs.
Some links may have details that could be upsetting.
Some of the info will be specific to UK.
If you're not in UK, may be helpful to say which country you are in as patterns of treatment and type of B12 used in treatment may vary between countries.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
B12 deficiency - newly diagnosed 
Newly diagnosed with low VitB12
Newly diagnosed with PA. Need encouragement!
Diagnosed today told nothing
