Anyone had a vit b12 deficiency? Can you tell me what symptoms you had please?

[Hemlock2013]

I'm having a blood test Tuesday and actually really hoping I have this as otherwise I don't know what is wrong!!!

I have ridiculous exhaustion but have the odd day where it's not so bad

Brain fog at work. Cannot seem to do simple tasks anymore

Pins and needles in arms and legs, mainly on left side ( have posted about his before )

Feeling low because of all of the above and not knowing whether it's hypochondria or not!!

Tia

[VillyCazalet]

I'm pretty sure I did, mainly based on constant, severe mouth ulcers and fatigue. It's often linked to low iron as well I believe. I just know that b12 and iron supplements changed my life!

Not sure about the tingling arms, sorry. Good luck, sorry I can't help more.

[Hemlock2013]

Thanks villy... Did you have a blood test to get the diagnosis? I have heard tablets don't work well and you need injections? X

[ipswichwitch]

Yes I had the exhaustion too. I felt like I was walking through treacle it took that much effort to do anything. I now get the b12 jab every 10 weeks. Used to be every 12 but the last 2 weeks I was feeling horrendous, so we changed to 10 and although I always know when I'm due by how I'm feeling it's not so bad. I also had rapid breathing, and woul get out of breath very quickly, and bruise easily too. Half the time I had no idea where the bruises came from!

[Hemlock2013]

That's interesting Ipswich as I have been bruising too...

Did you have good days and bad days though? I had a day recently where I felt ok and normal energy levels. Also the pins and needles can go for weeks at a time and then come back suddenly

[ipswichwitch]

I almost forgot I had tons of mouth ulcers too. Since I started on the treatment I don't think I've had a single one.

[ipswichwitch]

And yes I'd be a bit up and down. Some days I'd feel like death warmed up and others I seemed a bit better. I didn't get tingling or pins and needles but I have read it is another side effect.

[StUmbrageinSkelt]

Extreme weight loss and fatigue for my 15 yo son and ongoing unexplained anaemia.

We started on the tablets and did a follow up blood test which showed he was able to absorb it in his stomach. If his levels had not risen, the assumption would have been pernicious anaemia and he would have been offered the nasal spray or the injections.

3 months later his weight has finally stabilised and his bloods are good.

[Hemlock2013]

I can't say I have had more mouth ulcers than normal to be honest... I so feel like death warned up though.

It's rubbish... Really hope it's this and there is treatment.

[ipswichwitch]

The jabs work a treat for me, although it depends on what your blood results are and what they think is going on as to wether they start you on tablets or the jabs. Hopefully it is that simple for you.

[Stuffofawesome]

Take some sublingual b12. Absorbs through mouth and avoids need for intrinsic factor lack of which causes pernicious anaemia.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I am complicated by having other autoimmune diseases that have similar symptoms.
Extreme tiredness
Insomnia
Pins and needles
Mouth ulcers
Bruising
I self inject every 8 to 10 weeks, I am allowed to self regulate as long as I keep within 10 vials per year.
I also have mixed connective tissue disease, coeliac disease and may also be develop fibromyalgia (currently borderline for number of positive pressure points).

[Hemlock2013]

Would I need to check with dr for sublingual stuff?

[Hemlock2013]

Oh lonecat, that sounds awful. Is the treatment working?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I take a myriad of drugs, but yes they do help.
If you get a normal B12 do persist as there is a whole variety of immune mediated diseases that can cause these symptoms.
When my symptoms recur I get a wide range of blood tests to check for the whole spectrum.
I am very lucky I have access to an amazing rheumatologist who is quite forthright with GPs about what are the correct drugs for me regardless about what 'policies' say.

[Hemlock2013]

I just googled them actually and am now quite frightened!! Really hoping it's just b12.

I'm glad yours is relatively under control though.

What auto immune disease/s do you have if you don't mind me asking?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

If you have primary pernicious anaemia the inability to absorb it is and autoimmune disease.
So mine are
Primary pernicious anaemia
Mixed Connective tissue disease /Sjögren's syndrome (have features of both)
Coeliac
Some features of fibromyalgia
Vitelligo
In my family there is also hypothyroidism and type 1 diabetes which I am regularly monitored for two.
You don't need to be afraid. It is about management good diet, regulating your self and taking your meds. Yes, you will never be able to do everything other people will, but with careful management you can do what you want.
So far I have avoided steriods, but accept that they are almost certainly part of my future.

[MuscatBouschet]

I often have complex health problems but the distinctive thing for me about the B12 deficiency is the slightly strange feeling like pins and needles in the hands and coordination problems. I find using a gearbox on a car difficult.

[ipswichwitch]

I also have the added complication of ankylosing spondylitis (another autoimmune condition) with the pernicious anaemia.
I wonder if they would consider letting me self inject and regulate Lonecat I do find at times that I feel I could do with the injection a bit sooner and can never seem to get an appointment to suit. I do give IV injections for a living so wouldn't be a problem for me. Was there any criteria to fulfil or was it more at the discretion of your dr?

[Hemlock2013]

Thank you for all the reassurance ladies...

[Eatriskier]

I have PA and the symptoms you've described are how I end my good cycles (very jealous of those of you who get jabs more than every 12 weeks, my Drs would not entertain this ever). I also suffer with geographic tongue, sore ears, hearing loss and a persistent mild headache.

On bad cycles I also get palpitations when just getting off the sofa, lose the feeling in my limbs so fall or drop things and suffer bad migraines.

I've taken to using sublinguals to supplement my jab regime and whilst they don't solve the problem, they did give me an extra few weeks before I completely crashed.

Though I have to say the last 2 cycles have been vastly improved as I'm also taking iron supplements for iron anaemia too.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I just outright asked can I do my own injections. My GP said you do realise they are deep I/m, yes I do. Oh okay then you are a braver woman than me she said.
I am a vet so give injections all day everyday.

[Hemlock2013]

Just an update... Blood test results all came back fine so it must be general run down virus style stuff!!?

[weegiemum]

Mine was found out at a massive amount of neurology bloods.

I get a jag 3 monthly at the GP, it makes a huge difference to me.

[Memphisbelly]

All of your symptoms, the tingling srms is very bad when I need the top up injection. I used to get awful sores in my mouth before I got tested too. As soon as I get the injections I am like a different person.

[Memphisbelly]

Just saw your update, maybe take a multivitamin and a b12 complex tablet just to give you a boost?