Question:
Not taking B-12 - anyone do this?
It's been sooo long since I've written - now I'm in trouble and I need help. I am 4+ years post-op (RNY on 3/15/00) and have had no trouble what so ever. I took a weekly sublingual B-12 tablet for 2 years and felt so good. Then, I ran out of the B-12, and dumb me, I just forgot - and haven't taken any B-12 for 2 years. About 6 weeks ago, I started feeling really weak, fatigued, no energy, etc. My gp ordered a hemoglobin count blood test and mine tested at 6.6 - with normal being between 12 and 16. I was immediately sent to a gastroenterologist and he ordered an endoscopy for the next day - with two units of blood transfused to me immeidately after the scope. Saw nothing in the endoscopy. Next he did a colonoscopy - again nothing. Then a small bowel xray series - again nothing. Finally, he did a capsule endoscopy (swallowed a camera). He "thought" he saw erosions on the small intestine and since I was using Vioxx for arthritis, immediately took me off that. Two days after the camera deal, I started feeling really weak and had a dark stool - was told to get to the E.R. immediately. Did, and my hemoglobin was again 6.6. Admitted to the hospital and had, over the next four days, 6 more units of blood. Went to my g.p. about 5-6 days later, and again my hemoglobin was 6.6. Again the next day, two more units of blood. I had tried to tell the gastro doc and my gp about the malabsorption thing and the fact that I had not taken in any B-12 for over 2 years - they looked at me like I was crazy - and didn't pursue that. Now, I am scheduled to see a hemotologist this next Tuesday and as of last Thursday, my hemoglobin was 8.6. At least a little progress. Does anyone know of a similar situation? I am low on iron - and after doing some research on the internet, I have self-diagnosed as having pernicious anemia - caused by having a stomach surgery and not taking B-12 for a period of two years. Does any of this ring any bells? If it does, please email me quickly - as I need this information in hand before I see this hemotologist and maybe, just maybe, I can grab his attention. I apologize for this being so long - but after ten units of blood - and still only having a hemoglobin count of 8.6 and no good veins - I'm a basket case. Love to everyone - saw a couple of names that are familiar from the old days. A special hello to Michele Curran and Ray Hooks. Love to all. Sandy Combs — Sandy C. (posted on May 29, 2004)
May 29, 2004
Sandy,
I'm iron anemic and don't know much about B-12 anemia. However I received
an iron infusion May 3. I just started feeling better last week. I went to
the hematologist Friday and asked WHY it takes so long to feel better. He
explained it to me in very complicated terms that I didn't completely
understand. But I'll try to share what the bottom line. A blood cell lasts
120 days. When you get an iron infusion it stores the iron in your liver.
When your body makes new blood cells the new blood cells have iron. Since
my infusion was less than a month ago I still have mostly old anemic blood
cells. HOWEVER I should continue to feel better for the next 90 days as the
new iron rich blood cells replace the old cells.
When I got the infusion I could walk from one room to another shuffling and
holding on to things. Now I can shop the mall. I feel much better even
though I am still very anemic. I look forward to being able to exercise.
My advise to anyone anemic before surgery- GET IT FIXED BEFORE SURGERY!!!!
Robin
247/194/130
— 100less
May 29, 2004
Are you sure its B12 anemia? They can test to see if its iron or B12. Mine
is iron. Do you have periods?
— 100less
May 29, 2004
My dad is following a similar pattern, but his B12 is due to age. We slow
down mfr of B12 after age 50, ANYWAY, so no buddy for B12 to travel with.
I have shot down Vioxx and Celebrex for the exact reason you mentioned--may
feel no pain and bleed, ANYWAY. I am currently guinea-pigging Celebrex
Suppositories, which do no touch the gut, but may still do damage via the
bloodstream. B12 is a seaparate type of anemia from iron anemia. How low
is your B12? I am currently doing 1 ML shot IM twice/week because my
stress-o-meter is over the top an it beats heading for the kitchen.
Hopefully they are testing you quite regularly?
— vitalady
May 30, 2004
Hi Sandy: Your story could have been mine word for word. I currently have
a count of 7.1,had the endoscope AND colonoscopy 2 Fridays ago.They want to
do a berrium enema in 2 weeks now...no one though has mentioned giving me
blood. I am so tired that I can't hardly function. I have been taking 150
mg iron that my PCP told me to take and it only gives me HORRIBLE diaharrea
every day along with an upset tummy most of the time. My surgeon said to do
the 2 tests that they have done. I don't know what to do now. Someone said
something about iron injections or suppositories for better absorbtion to
get my counts up. My muscles hurt so terribly and my business partner
thinks that I am borderline hypocondriac. My husband says he got a
defective wife and the neighbors all want to start a life insurance pool on
me. They jokingly say that I am a sure payoff (ha ha ha). I don't know
where to turn next. My dr's all just want to do another test. They are
really digging for a bleed I guess. You would have thought by now that they
realize that I don't have one. Any suggestions anyone??? Like you, I pretty
much self diagnosed myself also with anemia. I want to just wake up every
mornig and feel good. Keep me updated on your status Sandy....Joi
Gonzalez....
— Joi G.
May 30, 2004
I can't directly answer your question, but would suggest that if you are
having an iron profile done make sure that they also run a Ferritin test to
give the complete story about what your iron is doing. With the B12 test
make sure that they are also running a Homocysteine test so that they can
better determine what the B status is. I know my biggest complaint with my
post-surgery labs has been neither test was included with the whole panel
of other things that were being checked. Hopefully you have a copy of your
labs and can do a quick check to see if these two tests were included.
Good luck on finding an answer and resolution soon. Sandra
— Arizona_Sun
May 30, 2004
I had the same problem! My hemoglobin went down to 5 2 weeks after surgery.
I was admitted in the hospital and had all the tests done. They found
nothing. I am low on iron so they put me on that, but never really found
out what the problem was. I am fine now and have not had any other
episodes.
— shalandar
May 30, 2004
Sandy, I know your problem related to post-op, but this was a big problem
for me pre-op and it was discovered I had a tumor. Tumors take on their own
life-line and suck the blood out of an individual, along with feeling tired
and weight gain. I took care of the tumor before the surgery, and have not
taken any iron supplements my range is 12-14. My tumor was non-cancerous
(most are cancer-free). Then I keep green veggies in my food plan i.e.,
spinich, broculli(sp) mustard greens. HOPE YOU GET RESOLVED, see your GYN
or ask doctor to check for tumors - they tend to hide in the strangest
places and act like aliens taking over our bodies.
— Anna M.
May 30, 2004
Sandy
I have a friend the has prenicious anemia and has not had gastric bypass
but is missing a gene that causes the stomach to absorb b-12 from the foods
and vitamins she takes and so therefore takes the b-12 injections to keep
this under control. On us the part of the stomach that absorbs the b-12 is
the part that is bypassed this was explained in detail to me by my PCP as
to the importance of the injection over the pills, I hope this helps you
out..Nancy
— nefish
May 30, 2004
Hi Sandy,
I just went to the doctor 4 weeks ago becasue I was feeling like crap.
Hadn't had a B-12 shot in 6 months. Well you guessed it pernicious anemia.
Had the shot...feeling better. Three years out...100 pounds
lost...diagnosed with Breast Cancer...this surgery saved my life...good
luck! jb
— jillyb
July 18, 2006
I can't find any indication of date on this post . . . but yes, B12
deficiency.
If I were you, I'd immediately start doing a B12 shot *EVERYDAY*, until
level is over 1000, preferably around 2000.
I use vet vitamin solution, and have been for about 2 years, 2-3 injections
per week. But in a severely deficient situation, *every day* is indicated,
for a month or more. Get that level up to 2000, then KEEP it there.
The information about this,
and instructions on how to inject the vitamin yourself, are here:
http://opabinia.livejournal.com/2240.html and here:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/opabinia/1077.html.
Still more information here: http://opabinia.livejournal.com/2005/03/14
http://tinyurl.com/klw7l
http://tinyurl.com/fors7 syringe #CS-W4
**** Important! I am *not* a doc, just a 3 year post-op, with an interest
in, and much research on post-op nutrition.
Here are 2 articles from medical sources . . . remember to point out that
besides malabsorption, you have no access to intrinsic factor when you talk
to docs. Both of these are indicators of the need for supplementation.
Good luck! and please let us know how you fare?
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000574.htm
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030301/979.html
— rayehawk
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