A few years ago I was feeling crappy - just a bunch of little things. So I went to the doctor and complained. He sent me for blood tests. I got a phone call telling me I needed to go on B12 supplements. Why I asked ? cause I virtually had NO B12 in my system. My extreme fatigue, my achy body, my dizziness, my forgetfulness all of those minor symptoms were because I virtually had no B12.
Fast forward a few years and I move here - find a new doctor and get sent for more blood tests. This doctor tells me I don't really have a B12 deficiency. It was low - so cut back from 1200mcg a day to around 250mcg. So I did.
Life sputtered along. Sir Steve insisted I start taking a multi vitamin (cause eating disorders ya know) At some point I stopped taking my B12 supplements. It's been at least 2 years since I stopped. I started to notice this summer fatigue and loss of appetite (but that's not that odd - cause ya know eating disorders) Then in December I was forgetting stuff - and feeling anxious - body aches for no apparent reason. Then since Christmas I have noticed a much higher level of anxiety......... a fair amount of nausea (again eating disorders so who pays attention) achy muscles ... and in the past couple of weeks dizziness and losing my words.
Then I had an eureka moment............ B12. Could it be possible?? I tried to remember the last time I took a B12 - couldn't. It crossed my mind to call the doctor but as he still isn't seeing patients and even if he was he'd just send me for blood tests....... I grabbed the B12 bottle and started taking my supplements.
It'll take a couple of weeks (at least) to see any improvement - if I don't THEN I'll call my doctor. BUT for now - I'll take extra B12 and keep my fingers crossed - cause ya know - 5 weeks till we move - I just don't need to be sick.
I would also take D3 - Canadians typically end up at a deficit for Vitamin D during the winter. I (and all 4 o fmy kids) take it every day as even we are all chronicaly low on D (pale skins - avoid sunlight etc where you would get it naturally). Also B12 is a regular daily thing as well - and yes, makes a big difference!
ReplyDeletethanks for the advice selkie - I'll look into D3....
DeleteI think it sounds like you put two and two together and maybe saved yourself some time and energy with the doctor. Supplements to the rescue, fingers crossed!
ReplyDelete--Baker
oh trust me Baker I've crossed fingers toes eyes...
DeleteI hope you're right on this and that the supplements begin helping soon. I read your title and thought 'Oh no! This is not a good time for her to be sick!' Feel better soon.
ReplyDeletethanks PK - it isn't a good time.... but then truthfully is there ever a good time?? I'm not a good patient ... or a patient patient... so here's to a quick fix
DeleteIf it works, that's good. I am interested in how this improves things, or not.
ReplyDeletePrefectdt
me too Prefectdt cause I really don't want to go the doctor route... and tests... and stress.
DeleteDefinitely worth taking them again, hope they work. Please let us know.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ronnie
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thanks Ronnie I will update when / if there's an improvement
DeleteAh vitamin B12....I am like you, almost non-existent. So I take 1000 a day sublingual. Have for years. I don't think I could stop, it would make me feel too blah!
ReplyDeleteI hope it works for you!
Hugs
boo
WOW Boo - they told me my B12 deficiency was due to old age (le sigh) you're young to have this problem no??
DeleteI was diagnosed years ago...so maybe? Or maybe I just knew to ask about it. I am grateful I am not so low that I need to do the shots though!
DeleteHi Morningstar, I so hope you are right and that you feel better quickly. I have been having 'women trouble' lately and a while back I started feeling crappy. Absolutely no energy, head aches etc and then it clicked. Iron deficiency due to the other issues going on. I was right, my iron was in my boots and I have been taking supplements since.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
and feeling better Roz?? who knew vitamins were so important?? Wait - they taught us that in health class didn't they?? (grinning)
DeleteMorningstar - do check that your normal meds, if you take any, aren't inhibiting your uptake of B12. I know that can happen with metformin (which is the frontline drug for type 2 diabetics, like me) - with that, it doesn't matter how much B12 is in your diet, your body won't absorb it because the metformin prevents that. It doesn't happen for everyone, and it doesn't happen all the time, just occasionally. With you on that feeling tired thing. I periodically ask the doc to check mine when they do all my other blood tests! I'm fairly sure you're not diabetic, you'd have mentioned if you were I think, but I know metformin can be prescribed for other things too, or other drugs may inadvertently act the same way. So if you don't feel better in a few weeks then it may be worth asking that question of your medical provider. Good luck, I really hope it helps you!
ReplyDeleteketh
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thanks keth for the advise - I'm really not on any meds - just a small dose of blood pressure medication - which doesn't interact with the B12. As I said I've had this problem before - the joys of growing older .... and hopefully in a week or so I'll start feeling like my old self.
Deleteno worries, glad its not that as the remedy is a series of daily intramuscular injections of B12 with a large needle!! rather unpleasant, so you're avoiding that at least! :D hope the benefits of it kick in soon for you :)
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