Vit b deficiency

Finally managed to see a gp face to face after suffering worsening symptoms for months. Normally very active still horse riding etc but random muscle pain and breathlessness gradually worsening forced me to get emergency gp appointments.Told ECG OK but bloods show iron deficiency. Chest xray booked, gastroscopy recommended iron tablets prescribed. My question is about Proton pump inhibitors which were prescribed for the treatment of acid reflux over five years ago. I've recently learned that PPI s interfere with absorption of VitB12 and iron but I wasn't told to discontinue their use. I've always eaten a healthy diet of veg,eggs,dairy, pulses,occasional fish but not meat.

[moo196]

I am a long term vegetarian and definitely need b12 injections monthly. Have you tried going without the PPI s?

[Hidden in reply to moo196]

Thank for your reply, I've only been on ferrous fumarate for a few days and VitB12 tabs just arrived from ebay. G/p didn't tell me to stop PPIs but I couldn't see the point of taking them if they are the cause of iron/VitB12 deficiency so stopped them. Now I know they are a problem I've looked on NHS and reputable sites to learn that I've been suffering almost all of symptoms of VitB12 deficiency(including the really weird one of a need to eat ice cubes🤪)for almost a year but only managed to get face to face appt when I couldn't breathe. I have an xray booked soon and then meant to have follow up G/P appt so will be discussing this hopefully.

[moo196 in reply to Hidden]

tablet format didn't help me personally.

[Hidden in reply to moo196]

Glad the injections work for you, I guess I'll just have to be patient now and see what works. It might be my imagination but I think I'm feeling a bit better,was able to walk up hill to feed horse today albeit slower than normal (my hubs has had to do it lately)

[dishcell]

a few months ago I discovered the problem with proton pump inhibitors and B12. I had vitamin B12 level checked and it was low. My G P wouldn’t give me vitamin B 12 injections but felt it was ok for me to take tablets. I purchased vitamin B12 1100 mcgs . My blood levels were checked again after 2 months and had risen to within normal range.

I had considered stopping pp inhibitor but am reluctant because it is a stomach lining protector against the aspirin.

I have recently been told of an ( expensive) goat milk kefir which is said to protect against acid reflux and am considering trying it. How e this is helpful.

[Hidden in reply to dishcell]

Thank you so much for your reply, I have been prescribed omeprazole for over five years and it seems to me a bit of a coincidence that your body can store VitB12 for five years🤣. I've made the decision to leave off the omeprazole till the ferrous fumarate and VitB12 tabs start to kick in. Been taking them for three days and am thinking I feel slightly better but that might just be because I'm no longer convinced I have heart failure💓

[Gizmo45]

My daughter in law always drinks Kefir milk, she is a nutritionist.