Worsening PA symptoms after Covid

[JadeRR]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering whether anyone else had experienced a worsening of their PA symptoms after a Covid infection? I was diagnosed with PA nearly 10 years ago and have thankfully been able to manage it well with regular B12 injections (both at the GP and self-injected).

I caught Covid for the first time 6 weeks ago and have been negative for a month. I was able to recover at home but it was pretty horrible - not much cough but plenty of fever and a secondary ear infection afterwards.

Since then, I have had all my usual symptoms of PA return - fatigue, shortness of breath etc. My GP did a blood test and it showed a decreased red blood cell count and low haemoglobin. The GP said in a text (I couldn’t get through on the phone) that “all other measures were fine - iron, B12, and folate” and no action was needed. But I don’t think they had read my notes about having pernicious anaemia. I also don’t know what kind of b12 measure they were looking at.

I had already had B12 injection 2 days before I caught Covid but I decided to self inject last week just in case, and felt a huge improvement. A few days later, the symptoms returned so I self injected again, and once again felt an improvement. I’ve had 3 injections in 10 days, which I haven’t had since my original loading dose when I was diagnosed, and felt an improvement each time.

I’m a bit confused with what might be happening. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I realise that long Covid and PA can have similar symptoms but I’d like to be able to rule out the PA if that’s possible so I’m wondering whether I should have the rest of the usual loading dose. Has anyone else done this?

I do have an appointment with a haematologist coming up so I will ask them about it. I’ve never had one before, as my condition has only been treated through the GP. Just to give background - I had quite significant neuropathies when I was first diagnosed (bladder nerves stopped working) so I suspect I should have been referred then and should likely be on 2 monthly injections rather than 3 but I find it very hard to get any increase from my GP so I supplement my injections at home.

Any thoughts or advice would be really appreciated!

Thank you

[jade_s]

I also did more frequent injections when I got covid and it helped. I don't know what the link is, but there seems to be one! If it helps, I would continue loading doses for as long as they help.

[JadeRR in reply to jade_s]

Thank you! That’s very reassuring.

[Nackapan in reply to JadeRR]

I also did more b12 injections when I had covid in June .Still feel I'm in catch up.

Never got to functioning at an acceptable level but was walking further.

When I say further 1/2-1 Mile but on s regular basis.

I can now again but that's it fof the day.

Time is needed for recovery

Covid is a horrid virus.

[deniseinmilden in reply to jade_s]

Totally agree! If you need it, you need it!

[Polaris]

I’m sorry you’ve been so poorly CamilaRR - there was an article on BBC news app today about brain fog, etc. after Covid.

I had all the symptoms of Omicron a few months ago but so mildly I almost didn’t realise until sense of smell returned very strongly and slight ear infections since. A friend also happened to be experiencing the same symptoms at the time.

I’m convinced that having regularly taken 4,000 iu Vitamin D +K2 (plus e.o.d B12 injections since having a really nasty virus 4 years ago) made all the difference……..

Dr Carmel Wheatley, an Oxford research scientist, gave out information some time ago on how very high doses of Vitamin D, and the ‘pan’ vitamin B12 , were being used in many countries to treat Covid19, but the West appeared to be unaware of much of the available research from the rest of world.

I put a link to Dr Wheatley’s talk and another, listing over a hundred top scientists recommending high dose vit. D, but, strangely, my forum history seems to have disappeared! 🤔

PS The very latest recommendation now is 10,000 iu of vitamin D daily if, like our family, you have vitamin absorption problems.

[JadeRR in reply to Polaris]

Thanks very much for the links - I will take a look. I hadn’t thought to look at vitamin d

[Technoid]

Several papers suggest that B12 mounts an assault on "one carbon metabolism" which is the key metabolic pathway that B12 is involved in.

For example:

COVID-19 and 1 Carbon Metabolism: mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/8/418...

COVID-19: A Methyl Group Assault? :sciencedirect.com/science/a...

I agree with the general recommendation for Vitamin D supplementation as this systemic review found it to be beneficial in reducing COVID-19 severity: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/351.... However I would be cautious with doses as high as 10000IU unless you know you are deficient or have absorption issues with D. 1-2 weeks of supplementation up to 4000IU should be ok but to be on the safe side I wouldn't stay at that high a dosage for much longer than that (again precluding absorption problems).

The conclusion of the papers typically calls for further research but does suggest two possible paths to support the body in its fight against COVID-19:

(1) Provide additional methyl groups

(2) Support glutathione (the body's "master antioxidant")

The supplements that could be used to provide additional methyl groups include:

Methylcobalamin B12 Supplementation

Methylfolate (Metafolin, Quatrefolic or L-Methylfolate)

Choline (Alpha-GPC form is a good option)

TMG (Trimethylglycine/Betain)

L-Serine

Finally, supporting Glutathione can be done by providing additional Glycine and N-Acetyl-Cysteine.

There was a paper on "combined metabolic activators", which were found to accelerate recovery in mild to moderate COVID-19: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/341.... The paper mentions some of the the supplements I already listed above but also nicotinamide riboside, and l-carnitine.

[JadeRR in reply to Technoid]

That is hugely helpful thank you. I was wondering whether there had been any recent research on it. I will have a read of the papers and start trying to add some more supplements into my routine. Thanks again!

[bookish in reply to Technoid]

Thanks a lot for the one carbon paper, which I hadn't seen. I wonder how long after covid adult MMA is reduced for. Doesn't bode well for getting a B12D diagnosis. I persevere. Cheers

[Technoid in reply to bookish]

The effect on MMA is interesting indeed, and yes not good for those being tested for a B12 deficiency.

[Clare_oxo]

Hello. Yes to your question. My PA symptoms were managed fine before I caught covid. Since testing negative some of the symptoms have returned. Mainly the tingling sensations in hands and arms which could also be folate related. I’ve SI early and upped my folic acid intake and it seems to be improving. Makes you think.

[bookish]

I am glad Technoid posted the methyl group paper, which I was just going to send! I made sure that I increased my B12 and methylfolate (and NAC) when I got covid, but still craved meat (unusual for me) so increased again. I still have some return of symptoms, but was high risk so got off relatively lightly. My Dad got worse just with the vaccines, but fortunately when he got covid I was able to make sure he took extra so he didn't continue to deteriorate.

[LauraJane2]

Hi,

I don’t have any helpful info to add but wanted to add my anecdotal experience of symptoms getting worse after Covid.

I wasn’t that ill with Covid initially, just like a bad cold really, but it definitely knocked me for six afterwards. I had to increase B12 injections as my symptoms came back and I also had other issues e.g. sudden dips in my blood sugar levels leaving me feeling awful (this is something I do experience occasionally but it became regular and extreme).

I recovered after 2-3 months I think, with lots of rest required.

[topazrat]

My symptoms were worse after Covid too. I needed to take a few extra jabs for a week or so to get back on an even keel.

[Nackapan in reply to topazrat]

Alot of us have had covid !!

My first nasty symptom was replicating what happened with my first covid vaccination.

Head stuck to the pillow with awful head pains. Then fever.

Hits the nervous system.

The heavy cold, dry continuox cough and bunged up feeling and extreme weakness went on for weeks.

My taste had returned and smell.

I've been so careful too.

Usually from family members or gatherings!!