New here

[Meringue]

Hello,

I will try to be brief but may fail! I am 63 and female.

There have been multiple things I have been concerned about for several years now and I may have got to the bottom of it within the past week or so. I may have PA (or should I call it GA? Only just seen on this forum that there's been a change of name).

Several years ago I had an MRI (went private but was referred by my own GP) as I was very concerned about my memory and other symptoms. MRI was fine and the neurologist hoped I would be reassured by the average results of the tests he did. Well no, because I knew something was not right. This feeling persists.

I have suffered from episodes of depression since late teens. I never took medication until about 15 years ago. At some point doctor said citalopram didn't seem to be helping enough so she changed me to sertraline and I am now on max dose. Mood still low.....or am I just tired beyond belief?

Sleep disturbance...........this has been a lifelong thing. And also falling asleep in the day, if the opportunity arose (eg passenger in car). A sleep study was suggested a few years ago and when I finally got around to it (18 months ago) it turns out I have obstructive sleep apnea and now use a CPAP machine. Using it for more than 4 hours a night is a challenge but I am persevering. Tiredness getting worse though.

I don't work (for money) and I am doing less and less because I am asleep such a lot.

Also had an endoscopy around the same time as the sleep study, because of heartburn and acid reflux and sometimes trouble swallowing. Some inflammation in the oesophagus and a small patch in the stomach. Also have hiatus hernia. Dr and I agreed I should lose weight (BMI hovering slightly over obese category).

Losing weight should help both sleep apnea and heartburn and about 6 months ago, having said to my DH, 'I don't feel well', I started doing a life coaching wellbeing and weight loss programme run by a former GP. Have lost some weight and I'm eating better than I was.

I had some blood tests done in July and repeated in early December. B12 was low in July, now below the threshold (except I don't actually have the figures, just the doctor's interpretation). I have the July figures where a test for MMA was suggested (B12 within normal range but low)but hasn't been done yet.

Recent blood tests are concerning me and it doesn't help that I don't actually have the figures yet.

B12 I've already mentioned. Folate is lower than July, vitamin D is lower, thyroxene is lower. Cholesterol is worse overall. One is worse and one is a bit better (Can't remember whether good cholesterol is a bit higher or bad cholesterol is a bit lower!)

My maternal grandmother was 'prescribed' raw liver, so my Mum told me. Granny also had very bad RA

I wonder about a genetic link?

Sometimes even I think I might be a hypochondriac, but I am really not functioning well at all.

[Nackapan]

There are 3 generations in my family needing B12 injections .

Sounds like you are collating your most recent test results .

Hope it all goes well for you.

[Meringue in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you Nackapan. I will report back!

[Jillymo]

When you next see your Gp if he does not offer ask for a trial of of B12 injections. You have all the symptoms of a deficiency.

Your thyroid needs to be checked out by an endocrinologist and properly balanced. Both your Folate and Vit D need correcting.

An MMA test is not conclusive of a deficiency ! There most certainly could be a genetic link.

The heartburn, acid reflux and sometimes trouble swallowing with inflammation in the oesophagus and the small patch in the stomach together with a hiatus hernia - is familiar to many of us !

Do not be fobbed off with sublingal tablets because of your gastro issues request a trial of injections.

I do hope you feel better soon.

[Meringue in reply to Jillymo]

Thank you so much for your reply Jillymo.

[GracePV]

I was tired all the time before B12 injections, also falling asleep in the day + gastro problems. If your Dr doesnt give you a B12 injection soon, then look into some wellness spas. They do IV's and usually have a B12 one. Keep us informed.

[Meringue in reply to GracePV]

Sorry GracePV I thought I had replied to you! Just checking my thread to make some notes. Thank you. I suppose the only trouble is a spa couldn't administer a course of B12 only now and again. I quite fancy the idea of a spa break though. 🙂

[Hockey_player]

Memory, fatigue, feeling tired: those are all classic PA symptoms. Yes- it does seem to run in families. You need B12 injections at least every other day until your symptoms are gone. Then you need to find a schedule that keeps the symptoms at bay. You could have problems with depression, but also, many people with PA get diagnosed with that when the real problem is not enough B12. If you start feeling a lot better with the B12, it might be a good idea to discuss tapering off the depression meds with your doctor.

[Meringue in reply to Hockey_player]

Thank you. I've learnt a lot just in the few days that I have been looking into this. I was thinking that maybe I would be able to come off the anti depressants eventually.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi Meringue,

I left some useful info on thread "Also new.....any thoughts?" by NZCruise just above your thread.

Apologies for brief reply.

[Meringue in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thank you! Much appreciated Sleepybunny