Does fear play a role with pernicious anemia?

[25092]

Hey guys, I hope this message finds you well. It's good to have a place to come that someone has some understanding of what you're going through! I messaged here before about having fear of a lot of things that I didn't have before this PA/B12 deficiency and sometimes I think of myself as a wimp because my personality before rarely experienced such fear, but all kinds of weird symptoms with this pernicious anemia is daunting . Having gastritis with pernicious anemia and them giving me test after test and each one of them I'm scared, not of the test itself but just high anxiety needing to know the test will turn out good. Just recently they scheduled me for a stomach and pelvic scan with contrast because I'm again having pressure right up under my stomach and top pelvic area , sorta like it's full or bloated or something. I'm wondering if anyone here ever has that pressure on their bladder or pelvic? I've taken test for my bladder, for my pelvic, my stomach and not one doctor can tell me what this intermittent pressure is. I'd like to know if anyone else experience this with pernicious anemia or gastritis? I would very much appreciate it if you could share your story and /or maybe some tips that help. Thanks

[Narwhal10]

Hi 25092,

Bless you, yes fear can be part of PA/B12D. It is quite a lengthy explanation. So, firstly PA/B12D plus iron deficiency affects our Nervous System. So our Fight and flight response and the opposite one, our Rest and Digest response.

Another factor is PA/B12D originates in the gut and as you say you have gastritis, it is really important to know that the gut is the Second Brain. Sounds weird doesn’t it ? Its proper name is the Enteric Nervous System. There is a relatively ‘new’ specialty that looks at Neurogastroenterology - so the Brain & Gut.

Now, you are going through the mill, with your symptoms and having lots of tests. I do not know what the pressure under your stomach and top pelvic area is but can relate to a certain degree.

The most important feature is learning to manage those horrible and distressing feelings and emotions. All of us are different and what works for one person does not for another. There are simple techniques which can include using softer language. Instead of saying, I am a wimp, say, I am having a moment. You are allowing yourself to be frightened or scared and not denying the emotion. Then, you can really ‘check in’ with yourself and the easiest way to do this is to touch your own body in very specific areas.

Our hands are superbly important and you can rub the palms together several times. Then put them over your face, as though you are wiping from the forehead down to the jaw line. Do that twice.

Then both hands on the crown of your head and run your hands through your hair whilst your fingertips connect with your scalp. Do that a couple of times.

Then wiggle your toes, your fingers, toes again and take a lovely big breath. See how you feel then.

If you have limited mobility then you can adjust accordingly. Such as brushing hands on thighs downwards.

Hope it helps. If it is of benefit then you can do it several or as many times a day.

😘

[25092 in reply to Narwhal10]

Oh Narwhal10, GOD camp His loving Angels around you. Thank you so much for this. Just with rubbing my head in downward position to jaw and remembering to breath deep actually kinda relaxed me. I am going to read up on Neurogastroenterology. I've never heard of it but it definitely makes sense. Now if only our doctors could make the connection we would be better off. Narwhal thanks again for your knowledge. Much appreciated!

[Narwhal10 in reply to 25092]

Blush, thanks.

Have a read. However, take a break within an hour and then move. I mean, really move not like an athlete. So, gently shaking the hands, then the arms from our elbow, arms from shoulders, shoulder shrugs, gentle neck rolls, raising eyebrows, frown, open jaw, poking tongue out, wiggle hips, bottom, wobble one leg then the other.

We spend rather a lot of time consumed with what is in our minds that our ingenious body that is in good working order gets overlooked. When we connect with this more, you may start realising wow, I am amazing.

My eyes saw the pen, my brain instructed my hand to grab it, then I picked it up between my thumb and 2 forefingers.

😘

[PortJules]

Hi, I also have B12 deficiency and PA, on self inject medication.

For a few years I had pain at the very top of my stomach almost central under the ribs. I was treated for indigestion problems on different medications, even though had no symptoms of that, only pain, which was excruciating at times. I saw 2 different consultants, but nothing was identified.

I requested a 3rd opinion with a private doctor, (ENT Specialist), as I also experience laryngeal spasms. I had an endoscopy the next day as he suspected a Hiatus Hernia … and it was!! I get it checked every 2 years to see if it has grown.

I still get occasional episodes of pain but is not as often as prior to this and I have a dose of Peptac Liquid each night before bedtime. I also take Lisinopril 60mg daily for it.

Good luck in sorting it! Hopefully soon. Take care,

Jules UK