Update on friend: Well I have been... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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Update on friend

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Well I have been talking regularly with J. And considering what she has been through (Stroke and Covid contracted in hospital) she has been remarkable in her attitude to fighting her condition. She has had 5 B12 injections (that's what is prescribed in our area) and she says it will be tested again in 3 months.! She now has walking frame/wheelchair, raised toilet,sofa etc. Awaiting bespoke platform for door as it has many steps.

Today physio on wrist, tomorrow physio on fingers !!!!!

Local people still injecting her night and day !

The only thing I have noticed is that she is beginning to repeat herself (Just like my sister who has dementia).

I hope her improvement continues, will have to see if all what she has had to endure lately doesn't lead to PTSD.

My Partner (school friend of J.) is improving, setback at weekend, three days in bed with back (just washed up cup in sink and bending over his back went) He's up today but cant put socks on etc, but we will get there !

Told him to walk around and its improving very slowly.

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11 Replies
Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support

Thanks for keeping us updated.5 B12 injections - sounds like they are expected to produce miracles.

Let's hope they do.

Repeating yourself could be B12 deficiency memory problems. I often forget what I have written on here - or even that I have replied already, so have to check through responses to posts. In case I start arguing with myself !

Glad she is fighting - hope the physio will prove useful in aiming to recover fully.

Sorry your partner also having a bit of a hard time.

in reply toCherylclaire

Well they have both had 5 injections now, I can't understand why both of them went down hill at the same time ! Both had covid and flu injections at the same time (shortly before becoming ill) ! Both had to have antibiotics for cough etc, at the time neither had covid. I strongly believe it was one of the injections. Both have said they wont have the flu one again.I know J. And my partner were borderline low B12.

(and funny enough both had dementia tests before getting B12)

Perhaps I'm barking up the wrong tree, just too many similarities for me !

By the way they are with different surgeries (but same county).

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny in reply toCherylclaire

Hi Cherylclaire,

Just wondered if you had read Sallyannl's most recent posts on this thread.

I feel very concerned for her friend.

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10

Hi Sallyannl,

Thanks for the update on J and good on her for her spirit. I do hope she gets more injections. Thank goodness others are injecting J. Yes, memory problems can occur with B12 deficiency as well (although, open minded needed).

For me, I knew what a hoover did but no idea how to turn it on or use it - before. Now, I’ll Hoover when I want, last on the to do list.

So sorry to hear of your partner. I do hope his back improves.

I hope you are looking after you as well as others.

Best wishes

in reply toNarwhal10

Hi there, how are you doing?I'm am surviving, aches and pains but I'll get there eventually!

J. Is remarkable, her attitude was "I'm still alive" , and she has said that the B12 injections really hurt, but she is convinced they have helped her. (Her daughter/Granddaughter are the opposite they have them but don't notice a great deal of difference.....)

She has now put on a few pounds after losing over 2 stone in weight. so going in the right direction.

The other half is improving, put weight back on and a lot calmer since injections so a plus plus situation !

We just take each day as it comes, had made two appointments this week that we had to cancel because of set back.

Hey Oh ! That's life at the moment.

At least we are here and not Ukraine... it breaks my heart

That we cant do more to help !

Take Care , chin up Spring is on its way (fingers crossed)

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10 in reply to

Hi Sallyannl,

Good you are surviving, albeit aches and pains. Thanks for asking, I am plodding on.

Great about J. I do hope she puts on more weight. Yes, unfortunately hypersensitivity of skin, joints, muscles can be problematic (years ago even a hug would hurt).

Great about other half and I do hope cancelled appointments are re-arranged quickly.

Yes, the situation in the Ukraine is hideous, those poor people. Having a sense of proportion does help us.

All the best

🐳

in reply toNarwhal10

Just spoke to J. She is floods of tears, feeling really awful. Had accident in bed, which I think has had a negative impact on her mentally. We only spoke for a couple of minutes as she just wants to sleep.So not a good day today.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny in reply to

I'm sorry to read that she is upset.

Hopefully this type of symptom will improve if B12 injections continue.

Damage to peripheral nerves can lead to bladder issues and other types of incontinence.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy (damage to peripheral nerves)

nhs.uk/conditions/periphera...

Peripheral neuropathy can be associated with B12 deficiency and sometimes with folate deficiency.

Is she getting any B12 injections once she's finished the 5 loading doses?

If she's able to I suggest she looks up private GPs who offer B12 injections in your area (expensive though) in case her GPs refuse to give her any more.

I'm pleased she's getting treatment but my understanding is that she should be on treatment pattern for those with "neurological involvement" in link below.

BNF Hydroxocobalamin

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

May be worth her looking into treating herself if she struggles to get more B12 injections.

I know the guidelines for your CCG so I am concerned long term for your friend.

in reply toSleepybunny

J is being tested again for b12 in 3 months, she is housebound now, sleeping in the dining room most of the day. Very unlikely to find private doctor!

I haven't been down this week, as she is so tired and with physio coming in two days a week, and others morning and night for injection it takes a lot out of her.

Too little too late ! Damage done !

You cannot treat people over the phone !

in reply toSleepybunny

I seen J yesterday, very frail, muttered that she fell out of bed. I fear that will be the last time I will see her, she has now been readmitted to hospital.She can hardly talk and thirty years older !

Not alot more I can say !

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny in reply to

I am so sorry to hear about your friend and also angry on her behalf.

I am sure there are others on the forum who might have something useful to say.

If you start a new thread with another update, more people can see your recent comments.

I wondered if it was worth you talking to PAS and B12 deficiency info to see if they had anything helpful to say.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/

I believe that B12d.org has Zoom meetings for its members.

b12d.org/

I don't suppose the doctors will admit that the B12 deficiency symptoms could have been acted upon sooner.

It might be helpful if her family can access her medical records but she would probably need to give written permission for someone in her family to do this.

If she is in danger of losing the capacity to act for herself then she may want someone to take on Power of Attorney. See link below.

Power of Attorney cannot be taken out after someone loses capacity, it has to be done while someone has the capacity to agree to it. There are two types, one for financial matters and one for health matters.

Power of Attorney

gov.uk/power-of-attorney

I hope that she finds a doctor in the hospital who really cares.

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