My friend gives me it as I struggle get appointments. I have never felt so overwhelmed and fatigued in all my life the tiredness is unbelievable along with no motivation and struggle to even go my walks when I wake up all I think of is I can’t wait to sleep again.. had every single blood test done all satisfactory… I have pain in my back constantly I am just done and I’m only 41 … even tho my bloods are ok does this mean I’m less likely to be my PA causing this fatiguing sorry for the long message I’m just so so tired
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Erin818
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You can have normal B12 blood serum levels , and still have P.A./B12 deficiency symptoms as you describe . You just need more regular injections. Try injecting every other day until your symptoms disappear ,,then you can try injecting less frequently . Remember to take a modest Folic acid tablet (400mcg )daily It works with B12,
You cannot overdose on vitamin B12 , unlike many other vitamins
Erin, what was your b12 level before doing any injections?
are you vegetarian by chance? If so, this could be the cause of your b12 deficiency/PA as b12 is obtained from meats. If this is the case, then do injections frequently until you feel better and then use oral b12 to keep the level up.
but if you are not vegetarian and eat meat daily, then you may have a life long unsolvable problem metabalising b12, in which case.
Rule out any liver or kidney issues by getting function tests done unless you have had those done recently. The reason I say this is that B12 not toxic in any dosage as long as you don't have an EXISTING problem with your liver or kidneys. If you don't, then inject all you want, it is ABSOLUTELY harmless as long as you self inject with proper sterilization protocols (avoiding infection).
Many of us inject frequently (EOD - every other day) with hydroxocobalamin or daily with cyanocobalamine.
I am not a doc, but an engineer who seeks out medical science.
I had docs tell me I didn't need the injections.
I had docs tell me that once I started injections they could simply test the serum b12 during the injections.
These ARE ABSOLUTELY WRONG! You can experience symptoms even when b12 is within the normal range. I know I did.
Most docs, not all, grossly misunderstand b12 deficiency, it's criticality, it's potential for permanent damage and how to treat it.
Take it to a doc, but create a summary page with a list of facts.
Example
1 - b12 deficiency and symptoms can occur within range and must be treated
2 - left untreated, can cause permanent damage: dementia and other neurological damage
3 - required for cell generation (which happens every 120 days, thus this is why we experience things like back pain, neuropathy and dimentia.
4 - blood tests cannot be done once injections start. They must be stopped for 3 months or more before the sereum blood levels will clear. The tests are skewed (raised) by the injections and thus are no longer useful/accurate.
5 - for the reasons in #4, treatment must be based on clinical results (symptoms only), thus frequent injections should be done until symptoms resolve
6 - That b12 injections are toxic. THEY ARE NOT unless you have an existing liver or kidney function problem, thus once liver and kidney function tests have been performed and things show normal, b12 injections can be done at any frequency.
7 - that oral b12 will work. This is a myth for non-vegetarians who end up deficient.
8 - It takes min 3-4 years to become deficient. Thus it takes time to repleat the stores in the liver.
there are other points to put in this summary page. but those are the min. then highlight the areas in the article with a highlighter that point these facts out. This way the doc can skim.
Docs are busy and don't have time to read a 20 page document. The summary page clearly points out the key points thus busy docs will get the main point even if they toss the article in the garbage. Go over that summary page (not the whole document with them). then show them you highlighted the points if they want the actual info. then leave it up to them to read it or not.
If your doc doesn't agree with these points, FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL. There are docs out there who WILL listen and help.
But this is medical evidence.
My b12 was 190. I was bed ridden and had all the symptoms you mentioned.
The docs told me I was deficient, but would only give me 2 injections.
I found a doc that would listen and his staff taught me how to self inject. Now I'm climbing mountains. All the back pain is gone. I feel amazing. I still have a little bit of the brain fog but it's slowly getting better.
Get treatment before symptoms get worse.
The other thing is have your folate level checked. If you don't process folate orally either, that can be why you don't process b12 orally. Folate is required for b12 metabolism.
my folate was never low. I have never had to supplement folate.
If you take over 1000mg of folate daily, that can hide a b12 deficiency, so don't do that unless you are found to be folate deficient.
Once you get these things done or even before, read the links that SleepyBunny presents. They are priceless.
There are no dumb questions, so don't be afraid to ask this forum for help even if it is just emotional support.
This is the best forum in the world for B12/PA. You are in the right place and down the right path.
So I was always tired and didn’t know why 7 years ago and I went into a&e due to pain and they said my levels were dangerously low and that’s when I was diagnosed they gave me tabs which didn’t help then onto injections the last injection. Was from a friend and the doctor doesn’t even bother with me anymore with regards to my b12 keep telling me my bloods are normal
So I had a full blood count and had absolutely everything checked ie vitamin d iron the lot kidney liver function all Normal that was around 1 month ago, all satisfactory no issues to report
So as mentioned they won’t make my injections a priority but today they have given me 4 ampules and I also have some extra on the way so I take it I’m good to go as I can’t go on like this any longer and the docs telling me all is ok
Start every other day the sooner the better. Keep a diary of treatment, symptoms and activity. From what you have said you will most likely need to self inject every other day for a while - possibly years until you are symptom free. Please do not expect the NHS to provide the B12 you need. Sadly whilst there are a few enlightened GPS the vast majority are way behind the curve in the diagnosis and treatment of PA and B12 Deficiency.
Links to forum threads where I left detailed replies with lots of B12 deficiency info eg causes and symptoms, UK B12 documents, B12 books, B12 websites and B12 articles and a few hints on dealing with unhelpful GPs.
Some links may have details that could be upsetting.
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.
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