PA- I'm from South Africa and I was d... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,672 members24,065 posts

PA- I'm from South Africa and I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia

Mandosin_76 profile image
6 Replies

I was diagnosed early this year. I inject myself monthly, but my symptoms wereEye sight

Stuttering

Pins and niddles

At some point I couldn't walk my feet were extremely painful and my legs

Couldn't walk straight

Forgetfulness

Chest pains as well etc

So my problem started when I tell my physician about what I was expiriencing, this is after I was diagnosed and I hv started with shots. He said the only symptoms for PA are pins and niddles on my hands and feet I got so confused, because after the second dose of the injection the symptoms started reversing. And now I get random headaches every day and my whole body itches at night I can't even sleep. I'm seeing him tomorrow but I'm not sure if I should mention what I'm expiriencing now coz I know he will say it's not related to PA.

Pls help what were your symptoms because this is confusing. I take cyanocobalamin.

Written by
Mandosin_76 profile image
Mandosin_76
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
wedgewood profile image
wedgewood

P.A. can cause all of the symptoms you mention . The trouble is that the medical profession is very ignorant about Pernicious Anaemia. , and not just in South Africa Try and get some books that our Chairman Martyn Hooper has written about P.A. ( Amazon )

Mandosin_76 profile image
Mandosin_76 in reply towedgewood

Thank u so much for the info

Technoid profile image
Technoid

There are many symptoms of B12 deficiency, many listed here:

b12-institute.nl/en/symptom...

Although your symptoms could have another origin, at a glance all of them are consistent with B12 deficiency and many here have experienced them or variations thereof.

You may have some but not others and more can appear when you start treatment.

Pins and needles are a common symptom but by far not the only one. It is absolutely false to say that pins and needles are the only symptom. There is almost no system in the body which cannot be affected by B12 deficiency as it is critical to correct red blood cell production, oxygen delivery to cells via hemoglobin, DNA synthesis and repair, protein synthesis, maintenance of the myelin sheath that protects nerves, cellular energy production, neurotransmitter synthesis... etc etc.

In severe and/or long-lived deficiency , its common for symptoms to worsen or new symptoms to appear once B12 deficiency treatment starts in a process known as early treatment decline. Headaches would be common, nausea, etc. I also had increased itching but you might want to look into possible allergy situations here in terms of any additives in the B12 injections etc as these can also cause itching. Also , as you say you are on Cyanocobalamin you may react better to a different form of B12, Hydroxocobalamin, if its possible to trial it instead. As nerves come back to life its typical to have increased sensation, sometimes increased painful sensations.

Mandosin_76 profile image
Mandosin_76 in reply toTechnoid

Thank u so much for the prompt response and u have helped me a great deal. I thought I was crazy cz even if I make a research myself I see some of the symptoms I have as people may differ, but he denies all that, I will consider changing a physician coz clearly, he does not know much about PA. Thanx again

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply toMandosin_76

I agree . Pons and needles were tge least of my problems.Balance, vertigo migraines the worst.

Short term memory wS awful.

Aching .

Flu lije symptoms ect.

Doctors, rather than accept low b12 the cause spend time trying g yo prove its something else.

It's good to rule thugs out but ignorance of what Losw b12/ PA can cause is widespread.

More research and understanding needed.

Mandosin_76 profile image
Mandosin_76 in reply toNackapan

Very true. Coz I did tell my doctor today that most ppl u are suffering from PA have the same symptoms as me, he just kept quite, he did not comment on that, so I was confused again. But as long as I inject monthly I'm OK. Whether he agrees with me or Not

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Recently diagnosed with pernicious anemia

Hi I'm 42 and was diagnosed with pa a couple of months ago. On b12 injections on alternate days and...
Lee1974 profile image

Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis and Pernicious Anemia diagnosis

I was just diagnosed with AIG in addition to the PA. Apparently, the AIG caused the PA. My only...

cousin hospitalised with Pernicious Anemia

Hi All, It has been a while, mainly because I have been feeling so rotten. I thought I would...
Mrs_Somerset profile image

Pernicious anemia and cataract

Hi I'm a 56 year young woman, who got diagnosed with PA and on B12injections every 2 months . Just...

Living in U.S. and recently diagnosed with PA

My husband was diagnosed with PA in mid- November. He has been on weekly b12 injections since then....
dakota15 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.