Increased PA Symptoms and Iron Deficiency

[lambuth_eagle]

I have no idea if what I'm experiencing is just a flare or could be possible related to my iron deficiency issues, but I figured I'd post on here to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.

I was diagnosed with both PA and Iron Deficiency without Anemia at the same time. I have been doing quite well with my PA symptoms for the past 5 months after increasing my injections from once a week to every three days. During that time my IDA symptoms were resolved as well after working with a hematologist for 9 months to increase my ferritin. After my last hematology appointment in early July we decreased my iron dosage to see how my body will response. (We believe the source of bleeding was corrected 9 months ago...it's just taken a while to get my ferritin level up.) The plan is to stay on this decreased dosage for 6 weeks and then retest. I've been on this lower dosage for 4 weeks and I've noticed a few IDA symptoms kick back up. Interestingly, I've also noticed my PA neuropathy kicked up too. Could what I suspect is a decrease in ferritin also somehow cause my PA symptoms to increase? The only thing that has changed is the decrease in iron supplementation.

Thanks for sticking with me on this post...curious if those with both PA and IDA have experienced anything similar.

[Nackapan]

Sounds like you have the answer.

My ferritin levels dropped after b12 injections started .

Took a yesr to stabilise at a level I felt better on.

I have to take a maintenence dose of iron supplements.

I go by bloods and how I feel.

Hard to seperate symptoms at times.

I know the facts dictate it's another absorption problem alongside b12 if need iron.

However

My experience is the more b12 I need the more iron seemingly needed?

I've not any scientific facts but definitely a correlation .

I've never needed any iron supplements in the past and on no other medication. .

I do use otc pain killers for head / nerve pain but less now.

At one point thought ibuprofen may be causing a bleed loweri g my ferritin and although in range HB dropping

So stopped for a long period .

Then paracetamol blamed for rebound headaches.

So stopped.

So alternate if needed

Neither were causing a problem in the end.

I do use them if needed as seem the lesser of 'side effects from other drugs used .

Fortunately ( yes I record)

Far more days not needed at all or only 1 or 2 in a day .

I hate taking / needing them but a big jump to diazipan ( short term) or other drugs you need to take daily .

Also this current heat is also taking its toll on everyone exasperating ongoing chronic symptoms.

T c

[lambuth_eagle in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks for the reply. I’m in the southern US so it’s certainly hot but has actually been a little “cooler” this week.

I’m mainly curious if a drip in ferritin could somehow also trigger a PA symptom flare. 🤔

[Nackapan in reply to lambuth_eagle]

Not sure about that but certainly adds symptoms