Quote:
Originally Posted by Fresia
Thank you for your kind words, Lynn.
My doc is out of town for two more weeks so I am working with nurse practitioner, (overseen by anther doc), who caught it and ordered the shots. I have not been able to meet with anyone yet about causes, just getting treatment right now.
From the research that I've been doing. It is not a diet issue as my diet is rich in B12 foods. It is absorption due to a medication I take. It says long term use of proton pump inhibitors and antacids, like for GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), can cause a problem with B12 absorption. I have to take the H+ inhibitors, basically for GERD but b/c my esophagus does not close off at my stomach so acid comes up. I've had surgeries for it but it cannot be corrected any further. I can't go without the med for it and taking it long-term is an understatement. I am so fearful this will now become an on-going issue.
Too many ifs right now that I'm trying not to think about until I have more facts and see if these treatments are going to work. One step at a time. I just need to function again. (it has taken me almost 20 minutes to type this message, far from "normal". I can type 50 wpm otherwise. Will hopefully be reversed, too scary to think about otherwise. Gotta go, tears.)
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Very interesting you said that medications which reduce stomach acid can cause this. I have this kind of problem too and was on Nexium for several years and then I started to wonder if this prevented absorption of some vitamins. I even point blank asked a pharmacist and she said no. I didn't trust that answer and stopped the med. I still get it occasionally but luckily my self help methods helped to the point where I rarely get it now.
I know that B vitamins depend on a certain level of stomach acid to absorb. I think doctors need to tell their patients to try self help methods first before prescribing all these acid reducers. Doctors should also be aware to test people who are on these meds for deficiencies. We have this acid for a reason lol. I sure hope these B12 shots help soon ((Fresia))
