Pernicious anaemia

[Hedgehogs15]

Morning from England everyone. I hope everyone is keeping safe and as well as can be expected.

Just a query please. After being diagnosed with pernicious anaemia over 40 years ago after a big stomach operation I was told I had pernicious anaemia. Had B12 ever since up to 5 years ago when this young doctor told me it had gone away.

New doctor started injections 5 months ago after years of arguing and changing practice.

I had stomach issues before with PA but this last three times after my B12 injections I have pain under my right rib and stomach discomfort otherwise starting to feel less tired and aches and pains. I just wondered if any of you have a similar symptom and if you’ve found anything to help. Best wishes.

[Rexz]

Hedgehogs, I also have a ton of stomach and digestion issues caused by PA and the destruction of Gastric Parietal Cells. Your discomfort in your abdomen just under the lower right rib might be your gallbladder or a stone passing or blocking your bile duct. During one of my stomach cancer screenings they used Endoscopic Ultrasound and found a bunch of sludge and small stones in my gallbladder. They wanted to remove my Gallbladder but this was at the same time they discovered I had zero stomach acid also due to PA. Well stomach acid is what excites cells in the small intestine to release a hormone that causes your gallbladder to contract. My whole system was not working and that possibly was causing the sludge build-up. So I kept my Gallbladder. I also ended up with SIBO and leaky gut. Now I take Betaine HCL and digestive enzymes before each meal and most of my symptoms have resolved. Anyway the pain in your abdomen just under the lower right rib is right where they've told me to watch for any further complications. Just my own experience, hope that is helpful in some way.

[Hedgehogs15 in reply to Rexz]

Dear Rexz. Thank you for taking time to reply which I have taken on board. I had my gallbladder removed 40years ago and that was the start of my pernicious anaemia and B12. All was well till the doctor stopped them. I am going to try the gut medication which you say helps you and also try to resolve the lack of stomach acid. I was thinking I had too much acid and have been trying to suppress it. Thank you again and I wish you all the best for the future. X

[Rexz in reply to Hedgehogs15]

Yes, Hedgehogs, My first GI doctor gave me a prescription for a PPI or Proton Pump Inhibitor when I connected the dots Parietal Cells being destroyed and Proton Pumps are within those cells so made sense that I really needed to have my last remaining proton pumps pumping as much as they could not to suppress them. I stopped taking the PPIs. I went to another doctor who tested my stomach PH during an endoscopy and found my PH to be 6 or virtually no acid. Another thing I found is that low stomach acid can also cause acid reflux. I know sounds counterintuitive. Make sure when you take Betaine HCL to take it BEFORE your meal. Otherwise you can get acid reflux as it sits on top of the food in your gut. Good luck