I've had many symptoms over the years to put up with but just recently I've had a very sore tongue - it's red raw and painful

[Starburst]

When I eat and drink my tongue burns. Has anyone else suffered with this along with the it vasculitis ?

[luggsey]

Sounds like it could be thrush?

My Mum suffers a tingling in her tongue all the time we think from the vasculitus, but thrush makes it sore and red as specially when eating and drinking.

[Willow4]

Hi, I had a sore tongue before I started treatment, it also developed bruises on it, has totally gone now. I have WG.

[PMRpro]

Thrush is one possibility and another is pernicious anaemia. Have you been taking any antacid medications such as PPIs or Zantac-type drugs? If they are taken over a long period they can stop you absorbing vit B and if you are low in vit B12 it can lead to pernicious anaemia. Either way - a trip to the doctor is called for.

[sue32]

I had the same thing and a blood test revealed I was low in Vit B12. I had 1 injection and everything was fine. It has come back again...I can't even use minty toothpaste cos it hurts so much!!! XX

[maisie5]

Hi Sue 32. You probably need more B12. I had pernicious anemia for many years before diagnosis. I self inject cobalamin ( pure B12 ) once monthly for life. I was rushed into hospital a dozen times over a 2 a two year period but our dear NHS never once did the simple blood test which detects p. a. I joined the pernicious anemia society ( having self diagnosed ) and there is no doubt they saved my life. Anyone who thinks they may have p. a. should buy a book called " could it be B12? " Don't rely on your GP - the present guidelines for B12 deficiciency in the UK are way too low. Anyone aged 50 or over should get the book, which explains far better than I can.

I have GCA plus another possible vasculitide being tested for.

[Hidden]

There is a difference between low Vit B12 and pernicious anemia. True pernicious anemia is an auto immune disorder where the stomach doesn't produce enough intrinsic factor which is essential for the absorption of B12. Patients with this need to be on B12 injections for life.

Vit B12 can also be low with the absence of pernicious anemia. Some people need supplementation and this is usually given by a short course of injections.

I don't know if there is a relationship between low B12 and vasculitis. I don't have pernicious anemia but had to have 5 B12 injections as my B12 was very low when I started to get my original symptoms.

Has anyone else had an incidental finding of low B12?