In 2000 I had an appendectomy. Soon after I developed digestion issues. In October/November 2014 I noticed that I would occasionally feel lightheaded, and would become short of breath while walking. I went to the doctor and, after a blood test, was initially told that I had almost zero B12 in my system. Soon after, I was diagnosed with PA.
I was confused initially and started looking up information. I found an old medical document online about a woman who had been admitted to an asylum. What’s interesting is that she had PA. What was even more interesting was that she had an appendectomy prior. I brought the topic up with my doctor. I believed my PA was associated with my appendectomy. The doctor didn’t think so, and she said there wasn’t any medical info linking the two. I won’t forget my conversation with the surgeon before the procedure. He told me that my appendix didn’t do anything. I vehemently told him, “No offense doctor - though YOU may not think it doesn’t do anything, I believe it’s there for a reason.” I sincerely believe that my digestive issues and PA are the result of the appendectomy. Of course, now there’s more info about the appendix and how it’s related to gut health.