Pernicious Anemia, YAY!

[stephie1973]

Yesterday, I saw Dr. F. He was quite pleased with my weight loss and my overall success thus far with the gastric bypass surgery.

Comments

[puppie]

Which surgery did you have? If it was RNY then don't even bother looking for B12 foods. RNY bypasses the part of the digestive system that absorbs B12, therefore we cannot absorb any B12 whatsoever that is taken in by mouth. We can only absorb B12 that is administered through nasal spray, injection, or sublingual (pill that dissolves under your tongue).

[stephie1973]

I had RNY. I was reading in my nursing books that B12 and other vitamins and minerals are absorbed in the ileum. I also understand that Pernicious Anemia happens quite often with RNY

[rose_amethyst]

I have seen so many posts in the past month in regards to fatigue (due to health) including my own! Your hidden words here are worth a post on their own. It is so easy for us to forget to take a supplement that is so needed yet the reason behind it, will help so many to remember.

"Dr. F says I have a dangerously low B12 amount".......
......"when he told me why I am suddenly feeling fatigued (after weeks of great energy), pale, and just generally feeling "blah". "

Thank you.
Excuse me, while I take my forgotten vitamins now.

[stephie1973]

Interestingly enough, I take my supplements daily, the chewable variety and that just wasn't enough. I guess I am grasping at straws trying to find something, anything to help between injections. Honestly, I know many many people suffer from this but damnit, it scares the crap right out of me. I feel out of control and here I am trying to control something I can't.. but I'd like to try somehow. I am just scared. Many people suffer much much worse and I am just a scaredy cat.. but dang. Neurological problems that are irreversible is just.. something I cannot accept for myself. I can't give up. I need to be proactive somehow.

Ms. Rose_Amethyst, go take your vitamin! :)

[circumspectly]

Get some sub-lingual B12 to supplement with between shots. B12 rich foods really aren't going to help, given the severe shortening of your ileum; that's a HUGE part of your malabsorption.

[stephie1973]

I ordered some earlier from GNC - it will take a week to 10 days to arrive, which is okay. I know that the liver stores up to 3mg of B12 and maybe I can get my stores back up somehow. I hear they are unpleasant in taste, but I don't even care at this point.

Have you had any experience with B12 sublingual supplements?

[nadalia]

I had RNY on 7/27/07, take a sublingial in the AM and a B complex pill midday (see note below, about not being regular about the midday one) and my bloodwork has been good. I'm also not on the pill, don't smoke, and don't have any problems eating tasty animals.

[stephie1973]

Ok, I had to giggle about the tasty animals. :)

[nadalia]

I did a little google searching and found this good list of high B12 foods:

http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/nutrition/food6.htm

I found this part especially interesting (bolded emphasis is mine):

Causes of vitamin B12 Deficiency

* Eating a diet that contains no meat or animal products

* Poor absorption due to cetain disease conditions or surgery

* Surgery to the stomach or intestine

* Oral contraceptives (the "pill")

* Smoking

I know there are many women on this list to whom 2 or more of those things apply. I hope everyone is getting regular bloodwork and taking their vitamins. I'm really good about my morning ones (multi and sublingual b12), but not so good about my mid-day ones which include a B complex and Calcium w/D which I know I also need more of.

[stephie1973]

I quit smoking before surgery and I am not on the pill, thank goodness. I had a hysterectomy in 2000. I've never had this issue before that I am aware of, so it must be surgically related. I think I am surprised at HOW FAST I depleted my stores... I am only 2.5 months out surgery wise. I am really glad I am keeping with my appointments - I hope others do as well. It's so very important!