Another cause of Pernicious Anaemia?

[wedgewood]

We know that certain gastric operations cause Pernicious Anaemia and therefore lifelong b12 injections are required . But what I’ve never seen mentioned is the possibility of radiotherapy cancer treatment in the region of the stomach that contains the parietal cells , causing Pernicious Anaemia . Surely irradiation would damage the parietal cells and cause B12 deficiency . Just curious since I’ve never seen this as a cause .

[EllaNore]

Interesting. I suppose the radiation could kill the PC's therefore not being able to make IF. That makes sense. So, it seems a catch 22 almost. If you get stomach cancer and need radiation, (my grandmother died of it and took b12 injections) radiation could cause PA. But PA could cause stomach cancer. Which came first, I wonder?

[Nackapan]

Interesting. My mum had Ovarian cancer at the age of 38.

The radiotherapy that saved her life did leave damage to her bowel.

Also put hef straight into an early menopause as had an oopherectomy.

I always thought the severe ,abrupt hormonal changes brought on her b12 deficiency/ PA .

Maybe the radiotherapy played a part too.??

It was not diagnosed for many yests as again put down to the menopause and not tested.

It's sad as I saw her have a more and more restrictive life .

Pushing to get all the shopping on her bike then couldn't do it without my dad on an other bike to take half the load.

Subtle changes we all recognise over yesrs.

Her mental clarity remains good on 8 weekly b12 Injectiins at 94.

Still think she'd benefit from more but she doesn't want more .

.

[wedgewood in reply to Nackapan]

Hard for you to witness that happening Nackapan . Great that she still has mental clarity at 94 . Yes a shame that she doesn’t want more regular injections. You have obviously inherited genes from your Mum as you have such resilience! 👍

[EllaNore in reply to Nackapan]

Also put her straight into an early menopause as had an oopherectomy.

I always thought the severe ,abrupt hormonal changes brought on her b12 deficiency/ PA .

No one has ever put those together. But it is exactly what i feel happened to me.

I had a complete historectomy, oopherectomy when I was 23 and put on Lupron injections to put me into menopause. That is when all my problems started. 44 years later, (3years ago) I had cancer and was given hormone suppressant again as Anestrozole, that is when my body went crazy and couldn't walk a straight line. My feet were on fire. I had to crawl for 3 months to get around. I could not form a cognitive sentence. I strongly believe this has everything to do with my PA. My grandmother had it though, with stomach cancer and my cousin had stomach cancer and has b12D. So I'm not sure. But my PA is/was affected by the hormone suppressants Lupron and Anestrozole. Thanks for mentioning your mother. I'm sorry she suffered from this. 🌷

[Nackapan in reply to EllaNore]

Yes a definite connection with hormones. My trigger was the menopause.

One of my daughters symptons started with menstruation.

Hope your treatment is successful.

It's making sense of it all isn't it.

[EllaNore in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you Nackapan. I strongly agree about hormones! Yes, definitely making sense of everything helps. Just connecting the dots and knowing how much damage is done is really all I'm trying to find out that way I know what to expect in the future and how to help myself better. 🌷

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Never considered that before. Wonder if any of our scientists have experience of this occurring in patients and made the link ?

[Mrsmr]

What an interesting thread. I had a hysterectomy at 50. I had lots of adhesions so the surgery took 4 hours. My problems with extreme fatigue, gastric and neurological issues all started about 6 weeks later. With hindsight, I also believe it was the sudden hormone imbalance and possibly the use of nitrous oxide in the anaesthetic that was the cause of my b12 deficiency which wasn't picked up for the next 10 years. Symptoms put down to stress as I'm sure many of you have heard before!!! Thanks to the forum I now SI as I need it alongside my 10 weekly injections at the surgery. Take care everyone and thanks again for support and help.