I’m so grateful for all of your support as I’ve started down this road. Got diagnosed with PA/AIG in the fall via an endoscopy. I am on B12 injections. My stomach pain has gotten steadily worse instead of better even though I am on a very restrictive diet. Is there any reason for me to believe that I have something else going on? (H pylori was supposedly eradicated in Oct. and they just ruled out NETs via a scan I had done because my gastrin is through the roof at 2500….my ANA and thyroid antibodies came back slightly elevated so I don’t know if I should suspect another autoimmune disease…). Or does anyone have recommendations of specific supplements I could try? I know some people have recommended some type of digestive enzyme. TIA <3
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Lhood08
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As you have Pernicious Anaemia , you will have low/ no stomach acid . ( Hypochlorhydria / Achlorhydria). The antibodies produced by this autoimmune condition, destroy the Parietal cells in your stomach . These cells produce the Intrinsic Factor and also stomach acid . Both are required for the breakdown of food and subsequent absorption of B12 .
I Stomach acid also assures the survival of good stomach bacteria, the flora of the stomach . Low stomach acid allows bad bacteria to flourish . This causes upset and stomach pain. I also had this problem . I used a very good water- based probiotic called Symprove for a few weeks , which solved the problem . But I also ate fermented foods like organic sauerkraut ,real yoghurt and kefir . They have good and varied quantities of probiotics
Having smaller meals more often and chewing well helps also . This allows the enzymes in saliva to get to work on breaking down the food . I also used to take an acidic drink during meals with protein . In severe lack of stomach acid ,Betaine HCl capsules with pepsin are helpful . To be taken with protein meals .
I hope that you might find the above useful . Best wishes .
I used diluted organic apple cider vinegar with mother . . I’ve heard of people using lime juice , Swedish bitters etc . Also as mentioned , the Betaine HCl capsules if a severe problem ( obtainable from Amazon. ) I hasten to add that I no longer need to take any acidic drinks with meals . I do have a daily small glass of kefir first thing in the morning . I need an b12 injection once a week , which I self inject . ( GP would only let me have one injection every three months , which was inadequate for me ) I hope that you get the problem sorted asap. It took me a few weeks , This was several years ago , and I’ve not been bothered since . I think having the required regularity of B12 injections comes into the equation as well . We are all different and the bog standard “One size fits all “ regime is crazy . I hear of patients who need a daily injection, and others who are fine with once every 3 months. And everything in between!
With Pernicious Anaemia we often have to work out our own salvation , due to the general ignorance about the condition of the medical profession .
Im not saying that my way out is the only one . You will get lots of suggestions I’m sure . You will be persistent and you will win . Best wishes .
I feel your pain Lhood08, this has been my worst 'reversing out' symptom since starting injections in December 23. Never had such stomach pain before, 3 really bad episodes where i could eat barely anything, even fluids hurt at times.It feels as though my diaphragm is expanding and an alien might burst out! Twice the whole system has 'stopped'with no movement or noise for 12 hours - freaky!
Now it's under reasonable control with a liquid bacteria/herb shot first thing, kefir yogurt every morning, herbal bitters and an apple cider vinegar gummie before meals, plus another gummie or two after. I'm on holiday at the moment and had to pack an extra bag just for B12 related drugs and supplements...🙄😅
I haven't found medical evidence to support this yet, but I wonder whether the vagus nerve is affected by our lack of B12, and like other nerves starts to 'fire up' when we start injecting? Any thoughts folk? Good luck on your journey x
I didn’t even think about my stomach pain being part of reversing out symptoms. My stomach has hurt on and off for so many years that it’s hard to figure out what’s even causing it at this point (I also battle h pylori infections and have a precancerous condition in my esophagus that I’m guessing gives me at least some of my pain in addition to the AIG) - but it’s definitely felt worse since starting b12 in February. That’s an interesting thing for me to contemplate!!!
Stomach acid is extremely important, as it is necessary for the proper digestion of the proteins we eat. When foods are not digested properly, this can lead to a whole range of unwanted symptoms such as reflux, bloating, cramping and gas.
It is also needed for the efficient absorption of important nutrients such as iron, calcium, and B12. Without good levels of these, a raft of health issues can emerge.
In addition, without adequate stomach acid, your body can't properly defend you against potentially harmful microorganisms, and it can also cause partially digested food to stay in the stomach longer than it should. This can cause food to ferment and produce gases, resulting in an array of symptoms including those described above.
If you suffer from some of these symptoms, it may be worth considering the possibility that the amount of acid you produce is insufficient for proper digestion.
There is a simple test you can carry out at home which can help determine if you aren't producing enough stomach acid. This test is not absolute and it is best to get low stomach acid diagnosed by your doctor – but it can be a useful indicator. This test is called the bicarbonate of soda test.
Bicarbonate of soda test - how to take the test
Dissolve a quarter teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a little water and drink this on an empty stomach. If you have adequate levels of stomach acid, the bicarbonate of soda is neutralised and converted into gas – this means you should experience belching within 3 – 5 minutes after drinking the solution. If no belching occurs, this suggests there may be insufficient acid present.
How it works
The bicarbonate of soda and stomach acid create a chemical reaction in your stomach. The result of this reaction is carbon dioxide gas, which causes belching. So, a belch within 3-5 minutes may indicate an adequate level of stomach acid. A belch after this time (or not at all) may highlight a low level of stomach acid.
I did this test and it was 14 minutes!
How accurate is it?
Although this test has been used historically as an alternative method for testing for stomach acid levels, and it can help to give some insight into stomach acid levels, and it isn’t considered a ‘gold standard’ method, so it shouldn’t be used to make any formal diagnoses.
Are there other methods?
A hydrochloric acid supplement from a local health food store can be another way to see if your stomach responds well to some extra acid, however, always check with a healthcare practitioner if this approach would be suitable for you first.
Then, if in any doubt, natural stimulation can be the way to go! If you think you have low stomach acid, you can help yourself by ensuring that you eat slowly, chewing your food well, rather than eating on the run.
Another strategy for increasing your stomach acid naturally is to use digestive bitters. Bitters are made from bitter herbs and can normalise the body's secretion of stomach acid. This can help to aid the digestion process and ease symptoms of indigestion, such as abdominal discomfort, flatulence and feelings of fullness.
You may like to try our Digestisan, which contains extracts of freshly harvested artichoke, dandelion, peppermint and dried boldo leaves.
My GP was not interested so I developed my own self help system. Eating protein caused great pain and it’s taken 7 months to get to a point where I am able to eat normally and all symptoms have gone. I used a Betaine and Pepsin supplement but I don’t need it so often now. But I do eat a diet rich is pre and probiotics with hardly any sugar, gluten or A1-casein dairy.
I’m a little nervous to try an acidic supplement because of a precancerous area that I have in my esophagus that the doctor said was caused by silent reflux 🤦♀️- but it seems like that’s the best option for my AIG. So I’ll have to talk to my medical team about that. Thank you for the thoughts!!!
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