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New to all of this Pernicious Anemia Confused about physical response?

RisingOne profile image
23 Replies

I am new here and this is my first question ever in this group.

I have pernicious anemia due to GERD and much antacids, Protein Pump inhibitors, which have now wrecked my body and B12 levels.

I started injecting 1000 cc daily, (from Vitamin Quick Shop and Pernicious Anemia org.) for a week, than every other day, there was some improvement, now when I inject B12 from my ampules, I developed numbness, in my hands difficulty walking, general body pain, I seem to get worse!

My GP, although a fine Doctor, is not up on Pernicious Anemia to a great extent.

I have been injecting B12 since Nov. 8th, 2021, started daily and now once a week. (How long before improvements?)

I am so very frustrated, any help or suggestions to help my situation would be greatly appreciated!

What am I doing wrong?

I took antacids heavy for about 2 years, with no PA effects, now I have all the symptoms. I recently had a Homocysteine test, which results were good. I also understand one could have PA and test results be good.

Please help!

P.S. in the beginning of this Pernicious Anemia, journey, I took much mists, liquids, tablets, capsules, even strips, my thinking was to overload my body with B12, since all that I read said that you cannot take to much B12. Now, with joint, pain, numbness, stiffness in hand and legs, I am bewildered

Doctor has tested and ruled out other ailments, Leukemia, MS, etc. I am 67 and until the PA was in great health.

Once again thanking you in advance for all your help.

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RisingOne
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23 Replies
Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

It takes time.Did yiu get a diagnosis of PA ?

I got worse before better.

This can happen to alot of people.

Depends how low you got at cell level. How many symptoms. How long before diagnosis or and or treatment of b12.

I'm over 3 years in and thankfully improvements still happening.

I also was in good health on no medications befire I finely collapsed.

Been brewing for nearly 3 years.

The menopause was my trigger

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne in reply to Nackapan

Dear Nackapan,

Thank you so much for your prompt response! GOD. BLESS YOU SIR!❤️ After, months of deteriorating health, weak muscles, numbness cramping, and my Doctor giving me all sorts of tests that came back above average, or normal I prayed to God (I am a Christian). At my desk one day with tears in my eyes I heard audibly and clearly check vitamin B12, I didn’t know what to think.So, I took a deep dive into Pernicious anemia, to my amazement all the that I was suffering with were listed, everything! I came across the Pernicious Anemia Org, which was a God send! I took all my information to my Dr. for who was really impressed, he also agreed that PA, is what I was suffering from. He gave me a prescription for 1000ml of Cyanocobalamin and said inject 1ml every month.

I realized after more of my own research that Cyanocobalamin is not the best form PERNICIOUS ANEMIA ORG, recommended.

My Doctor did not have good knowledge of Pernicious Anemia.

I emailed Regev Elya, from the Pernicious Anemia Org, his help was priceless.

To make a very long story short as is said, I am currently injecting once a week 1Ml, subcutaneous.

Since Nov 8th.

Nickapan, your answer has really, really helped me!

I thank you with all my heart.

One, question, should I continue my once a week injection or once a month?, Regev, advised more does not help, patience does.

So my symptoms are in a sense part of my recovery?

Thanking you in advance for your help, patience and encouragement.

God bless you.

Sincerely,

Anthony Ford

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne in reply to Nackapan

Sorry about name confusion. I apologize. When you mentioned menopause as trigger, I realized my error.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply to RisingOne

No problem.If you feel weekly is helping you continue doing that and keep a log.

Under treating gives more problems.

Time Is needed to heal.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

I'm sure there'll be lots of support for you here.

Do you mind me asking which country you are in?

I'm asking as it might help people to post relevant info.

A few links to PA and B12 deficiency info ....

Difference between PA and B12 deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

A charity based in Wales, UK. Has some members not in UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring and an online contact form.

Membership of PAS is separate from membership of this forum.

There are PAS support groups in UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

The most recent PAS newsletter Spring 2022 mentioned a new support group in Chicago area, USA.

B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/

This link mentions some support groups in Europe.

b12deficiency.info/very-use...

Members on this forum have had mixed experiences with Facebook groups.

B12 Awareness (US website)

b12awareness.org/

US link about PA

rarediseases.org/rare-disea...

Stichting B12 Tekort (Dutch website with English articles)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

B12 Institute - Netherlands has some useful info on causes and symptoms

b12-institute.nl/en/vitamin...

Two useful B12 books

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society).

BNF (UK) treatment info in above book is out of date.

"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (US authors)

Very comprehensive with lots of case studies.

Films and videos about PA and B12 deficiency

PAS conferences

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Films about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/films/

B12 article from Mayo Clinic in US

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Table 1 in above article is about frequent misconceptions about B12 deficiency that health professionals may have.

I'm in UK. If you're in UK, there's a lot more info I can post.

I am not medically trained.

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne in reply to Sleepybunny

Thank you so much Sleepbunny for all your help and the links! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS.I am from the USA, and live in Texas.

Once again I thank you for all your help and patience.

Sorry to read of your suffering, this can hit people really hard, one minute you are going around normal and then for no apparent reason your whole body feels drained.Have you had complete blood test for folic acid, iron vitamin D.

It will take time, some more than others unfortunately.

Are you still on PPI medication ?

One problem with PPI is they block acid in your stomach,

We all need acid to be able to digest food and absorb vitamins and minerals.

I was put on PPI and lasted less than a week, made my symptoms worse. It was then I discovered I was better introducing little acid before meals.

ORange or Apple juice, a few red grapes etc.

That was 15+years ago, and very rarely get problems now.

Wishing you well

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne in reply to

Dear Sallyannl, Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it. I just had a compete blood work up by my Doctor, and all of my levels are in a good or normal range for my age. D levels, potassium, iron even the Homocysteine level.I longer take any PPI, meds! My diet has changed for the better.

I thank God, that I came upon this site, you guys are a true Blessing❤️🙏!

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny in reply to RisingOne

"I just had a compete blood work up by my Doctor, and all of my levels are in a good or normal range for my age"

The best advice I ever got was to always check results for myself.

I am aware of forum members who were told everything was normal and then found abnormal and borderline results when they got a copy or access to their results.

Have you got recent results for folate?

The symptoms of folate deficiency can overlap with those of B12 deficiency.

Which iron tests did you have?

Iron Studies

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

Have you had any thyroid tests?

It's quite common for forum members to report thyroid issues as well as PA/B12 deficiency.

May be worth you putting any thyroid results on Thyroid UK forum on Health Unlocked.

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne in reply to Sleepybunny

Hi Sleepybunny, I have to check again I know my Doctor, gave me a complete blood analysis, I have to re-read. Vit. D, potassium and other tests were given,

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne

Thank you TRIME97, for the info. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS!

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to RisingOne

RisingOne. I have deleted the link left for you by TRIME97. I would suggest that you do not access this website. Pointing members to gambling websites is not something that should happen in this forum. I have mailed this new member and asked them not to post this information again.

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne in reply to Foggyme

Once again much appreciated!

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to RisingOne

👍

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator

RisingOne.

This is an open access public forum and posts here are also visible across other websites. I’ve therefore redacted your name to safeguard your personal identity (we advise all forum members to keep personal details private). 🙂

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne in reply to Foggyme

Thank you, I am new to your site.

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to RisingOne

No problem 🙂x

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

Sally Pacholok, author of "Could it be B12?" book, has written some online articles about B12 deficiency which may be of interest.

I found a link to a talk she gave about B12 deficiency at a US conference.

antiageingconference.com/pp...

US link about B12 deficiency

nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia...

Wall Street Journal article about a woman with B12 deficiency

wsj.com/articles/vitamin-b-...

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Midnight_Voice profile image
Midnight_Voice

1000ccs is a litre, which is rather a lot to inject in one go 😛 I imagine you mean one cc, one millilitre?

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne in reply to Midnight_Voice

Yes correct 1CC, thanks for the correction. New to all this.

Wowo23 profile image
Wowo23

So sry to read your post and all that you're going thru. You seem to be on top of your diagnosis and are taking care of yourself. It does take time. When I was first diagnosed, I was a mess. A few of the symptoms cleared right away, but has taken years for others. All cases and ppl are different. Don't worry about taking too much b12. There are no known dangers or toxicity. It's only when b12 I'd high naturally that sparks docs to search for other diseases.

Hope you feel better soon

RisingOne profile image
RisingOne in reply to Wowo23

Thank you so much for your response! This site has been a God send! So much love and help❤️

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Article from Chicago Tribune about a mother with B12 deficiency

chicagotribune.com/lifestyl...

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