IBS and B12

[Ctadds1]

good evening, I hope everyone is doing well

I am wondering about the link between B12 deficiency and IBS. I have been getting bi weekly injections for almost 2.5 years now. Doing fairly well and the vast majority of my symptoms and nerve issues have subsided. I have no tested positive for PA but I suspect it since my family has many people with celiac and my mother is also low B12 and receives injections. I am having issues with what I think is IBS. This has been ongoing for awhile but something that does not seem to want to subside. It is not a constant, it is something that defiantly flares up on me. I can go 2 months and feel fine and then all of a sudden it’s like my digestive system just freaks out for a period of time (can last from a week to several weeks). I can’t not figure out what brings it on. Symptoms consist of, bloated belly, diarrhea/constipation, lower back pain, gas, and just general feeling of unwell. Could there be a link to my B12 issues. I have had a CT scan of my abdomen to check for anything concerning and JT came back fine. My doc has offered a colonoscopy and endoscopy but I don’t know if that is necessary or not.

Thanks as always!!!

[B12life]

what was your b12 before your first ever injection?

Do you eat meat? Or are you a vegetarian?

I had those symptoms on three occasions

, h-pylori which an endoscopy will check for, thus not a bad idea.

B12 deficiency when I was very low. It is no longer a problem. Perhaps doing daily or EOD injections can help.

hormones during my period. Nothing I can do here.

IBS runs prolifically through my family tree but those three instances are separate severe cases very distinct from my normal IBS. Those first two would be my guess.

[Jillymo]

Your addressing the B12 issue but not the cause. Our guts and colons play a big part as does gut acids such as intrinsic factor. I have had a colonoscopy which revealed inflammation & a hiatus hernia. The next step is a colonoscopy which is taking place next Thursday to look at my ilium which is the final portion of the bowel. This is the part of the bowel that absorbs nutrients, B12.

I had a MRN scan which showed a large part of my ilium is inflammed hence the colonoscopy to take a closer look. The inflammation seen would explain my B12 deficiency and of other nutrients.

If these tests have been offered you it might explain your symptoms if you were to have them carried out. I'm not looking forward to the colonoscopy but it's better to rule anything nasty going on than to ignore.

[Mixteca in reply to Jillymo]

I had one done years ago and dreaded it. I actually found it no problem at all and couldn't really feel anything. I think I took the sedative offered. I saw my bowels on the screen and it was fascinating.

[Jillymo in reply to Mixteca]

I had one some years ago and also watched it on screen. I even watched them remove a polyp which was fascinating. My mobility and health has declined since then and i'm worried about not being able to lie still for any amount of time. If they sedate me I shall be fine, i'm like you and like to watch the gore. 😂

[OldmanD in reply to Jillymo]

The sedation I got was not sleepy. . . . . Camera up I got to see in all on a large led screen in front of me. . . . . . Didnt get to see the camera down though as that would be dificult to say the least . . . . . Both were done same visti, same trolley, same room same day. . . . . .

[Jillymo in reply to OldmanD]

All in one day ! That was good going........i'm back and forth like a yo yo.

I was put out for the one down because I wretched so much.......the one up is a different story that we wont go into. 📸

I'm not going to ask where they stick the tripod......only joking. 😂

[OldmanD in reply to Jillymo]

I think you are in the UK.. . . . . I used to be also. . . . . . There really is no reason for such not to be done same day . . . . . It all falls under the same expertise. . . . . I'd imagine it is more efficient than having patients come and go endlessly for every separate procedure. . . . i was also at a chest clinic about 2 months back and spent from 12 until a half six not just sitting waiting around but going from a nurse to a doctor to an xray to a cosultant to someoen who instructed ye on the use of inhalers in no particular order. . . . . So different to the NHS. . . . . And probably saves a fortune

[Jillymo in reply to OldmanD]

My son lives in Bulgaria, it sounds as if where your are have a similar system as they. My daughter inlaw had a urinary infection, she saw the Dr, had a scan on her kidneys and prescribed antibiotics all done in the a couple of hours. My daughter had a similar infection, she rang her surgery, was told to go to the walkin centre where she sat foor over five hours, she was told they were closing to come back in the morning ! Thats the NHS for you.

I agree we have a larger population than Bulgaria but something similar to their system needs to be introduced here..........I lay on a trolly for 11hrs in a corridor with heart failure. When I were admitted some imbacile put me on a gastric ward instead of cardiollogy !

[Mixteca in reply to Jillymo]

I'm a tad squeamish as it happens but when else would I get to see my insides? 😅

[Jillymo in reply to Mixteca]

Very true, hey maybe we can compare the photo's. 🤣

It's all good fun hun.

[OldmanD]

I have had wonky bowels most of my life if not all . . . . . . . Firstly and possibly unrelated to B12 you could be reacting to dairy products. . . . . . . To be B12 deficient we obviously are a bit autoimmune in one way or other so dear knows what we react to . . . . No saying for sure but worth a try. . . . . . Dairy certainly causes me a load of problems. . . . . . . I seldom become constipated but it is in the family and others do become constipated . . . . . . If I eat anything with dairy in it I need the loo especially cheese . . . . . Some say cheese is different and cant effect you but others know the truth of the matter, . . . . . My eldest if she eats cream anything has the runs And sometime ye think ye are okay as ye have just eaten something with dairy in it and you are fine. . . . . That can happen if you've avoided diary for a time and got things settled a little so its not like an allergic reaction but more like inflamed bowel being caused by the dairy . . . . . . I had scope up and scope down and I was inflamed. . . . . . But no comment about dairy apart from if it has adverse effects dont eat it. . . . . I also have a hiatus hernia I didnt know I had. . . . . Anyhow. . . . . For a couple weeks avoid all dairy . . . . . If it says dairy on the ingredients dont buy it. . . . . . We dont need it anyhow but we like it. . . . . . Its worth a try

[Narwhal10]

Hi Ctadds1,

IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion. You should be tested for everything first. Therefore, you have ‘gastrointestinal symptoms’.

Please keep a food diary, you may have intolerances. Like OldmanD suggests it could be lactose. Your body may cope with 20 grams but on those occasions where you eat 50 grams your body retaliates NO, you are hurting me.

Similarly, I do not know if you are male or female but if you are female then hormonal changes and menstruation play a role in gastrointestinal symptoms. This is partly due to where the womb and bowels are.

Another big topic is the gut microbiome where there can be an imbalance in microorganism the gut. Please also be aware of seasonal changes, some of us can have problems with pollen so need anti-histamines. Histamine also plays a role in the gut too.

Like B12life said H.pylori can be checked. I do not agree with the term IBS, it is an umbrella term. Our gut microbiome is absolutely fascinating and plays a massive role in our physical and emotional health. Some people find Symprove beneficial. However, it has to be avoided if you have overgrowth.

Our biochemistries, genetics, anatomies and physiologies are all completely different. What works for one does not for another.

Best wishes.

🐳