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[chrissieH]

Hi Everyone,

I've just been listening to 'Inside Health' on radio 4. They had a discussion on symptoms for a lack of vitamin B12(pernicious anemia). I ticked all the boxes, and I think I must be suffering from this.I wondered has anyone else who suffers from Scleroderma been diagnosed with this problem?.

[Lil_Dee]

Interesting you should bring this up Chrissie, as I have recently been told I am low in Iron and Folate, and put onto supplements for these two. Whilst looking into this, I have found that iron, folate and B12 go together when it comes to taking supplements - much of the information I have found has stated that if you need B12 then you should always be given folic acid (folate supplements) as well.

I have also been reading up on Pernicious Anemia (caused when the body cannot extract vit B12 from your food) which has made for interesting reading - they have a community on this web site which I have joined - though it's a bit quieter than here !!

I'm due for more blood tests in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to ask them to check my B12 levels, as it would explain some of my issues. My inability to converse properly is worsening - I'm always "losing" words, and my husband is finding it more and more difficult to have a full conversation with me because of my constant struggle to speak. In fact, I got extremely upset about this very thing last night as it is just so frustrating !

Because of this, I have taken it upon myself to invest in some B12 sub-lingual spray, to see if this has any affect on me. (Holland & Barrett if you're in the UK, B12 Boost)

It'll be interesting to see how many of us have similar stories.......

[chrissieH]

Thanks Lil-Dee. I'm off to see my G.P. today and will let you know what help and information I receive.

[SandraM]

Hi ChrissieH

I have recently been told I am Vit B12 deficient, probably due to having Scleroderma (which I have had for approx 10 years). I had to have regular doses for the first 3 months (loading dose) and have them every 3 months now. I was told it was to do with your stomach not being able to absorb the vitamins from your food intake, They may make you feel less tired, although not for me - I'm always tired!!

I hope you got on ok at the GP today.

with best wishes Sandra M

[chrissieH]

Thanks for your reply SandraM,

Good to know that it can be connected to Scleroderma. I went to see my G.P. yesterday and he said I had the blood test a year ago and I was ok. They're going to do another on Monday so we'll see how that goes. I'm with you on the tired bit, get up as tired as when I went to bed!.

Thanks again for your input.

ChrissieH

[Lil_Dee]

We'll have to compare notes when the blood test results come back - though I'm not sure how mine will work, as I'm already taking B12 and folic acid daily now. I wonder if the GP took B12 readings historically ? I'm at the hospital soon too, so I'll ask them too.

And yes, the fatigue is one of my biggest issues - it has destroyed my social life over the last 3/4 years. I was a constant at the back of the local Academy for gigs at least once a month - these days I'm lucky to make it out one a year !!! Boooooooo, hiss to Scleroderma.