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This is a two-part series. Starting with Part One will be super beneficial. Trust me.
This could easily be a 10 part series, but my brain is still recovering from lack of B12 and I get easily sidetracked. Just keeping it real. Now, what were we talking about?…
So back to that Dr.’s appointment on my 35th birthday. My Doctor decided to run some blood work and one of the tests was to check my B12 levels. I had my blood drawn immediately and then headed off to my birthday party. Remember the awesome party that the wonderful people at Bucca Di Beppo’s hosted for me? They went all out to help me celebrate and that is something I would normally share with you all immediately, but I was so sick it took a month and a half to get it posted. That’s how bad I felt.
Within 48 hours of having my blood drawn my Doctor called to tell me the good and bad news. The bad news was that I was severely deficient in B12 {my level was a 136}, that I had pernicious anemia and that I would need injections for the rest of my life. The good news is that it was so easily treated! I was going to feel better.
My B12 deficiency was not caused by my diet. I actually had a disease called Pernicious Anemia which makes me unable to absorb B12 from dietary sources, it has to be injected into me.
My two daughters who are stuck with my genes {aka not the one that’s adopted} have been tested. They do not have PA at this time. They will be tested again as they age and I will be looking for the signs of the disease. There will be no years of suffering if they do develop it as I did. They will get treatment immediately.
Do you think you might have a B12 deficiency?
Here are some of the common symptoms. Please remember that these symptoms mirror other disease and conditions so it’s important to check with your Dr.
- tired even after a restful sleep
- depression
- anxiety
- heaviness in your chest when you breath
- dizzy
- tingling hands
- hair loss
- graying hair
- loss of memory
What you can do…
If you think you have a B12 deficiency talk to your Doctor. If your Doctor doesn’t support you find a new Doctor. If you have Pernicious Anemia you will have to be on injections, pills will not work. If you do not have PA and feel healthy at this moment I still believe that B12 should be part of everyone’s daily supplements. There is a train of thought that says that supplementing is not necessary as long as you are eating a balanced diet. While I can understand the reasoning behind that I feel it’s impossible to know for sure if you are getting enough just from diet alone. Many people eat very healthy diets and it’s still not enough. You can easily take a supplement and know for sure that you are getting the recommended dosage.
Left untreated the affected person will die. I would have died. Seeing as though I was already having neurological involvement and difficulty breathing my time was drawing to a close. Having 3 little girls this is hard for me to think about. What’s even harder to think about is the 3 years of their life’s that I won’t get back and that I missed because I was so sick.
The more research I do the more angry I get. Other lesser talked about side effects of B12 deficiency includes miscarriage. During the time I was left untreated, I had over a dozen miscarriages. I spent years subjecting my body to IVF treatments just to lose my precious babies. Could B12 be to blame? Had any number of the Doctors I saw during this time checked this one simple vitamin level life my babies might not have died. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true.
At the same time, I wouldn’t have my 3-year old without having gone down this path and I wouldn’t trade her for the world!
If you do have PA or a B12 deficiency there is hope. You will get better. The early days after treatment started I actually felt worse. This was a very difficult time because I was under the impression that I would get better quickly after I started injections. Instead, the injections made me feel worse. After a few months of treatment, I finally did start to see an improvement. I was functioning better… I could even remember my kids’ names! Now that I’m 6 months post starting treatment I’d say I’m 90% back to where I was before this all started. Yesterday I went to Expo West and walked around by myself for 9 hours. Took a taxi {by myself} to Disneyland and met up with family and spent another couple hours having fun with them. This seems like nothing to a healthy person, but to me and my family, this was a huge victory.
When I got sick I never imagined a day where I would feel like my illness was behind me. I know that I will never be cured, but I also know that with the right treatment I can live a happy, healthy and LOVELY life.
Do you think you might have a B12 deficiency?
I have so many of those symptoms. I thought it was just a part of getting older, I’m in my early 30’s. I’m going to try taking some B-12. I’ll have to pick some up when I go into the city. Thank you for sharing this. I am so very happy to be adding more natural aspects to my life. Thank you for sharing what you are doing. I’m going to be doing the same.
Sara, I’m sorry you are having these symptoms. They can be scary. Please talk to your Doctor. I’m so happy to have you joining along on my going natural adventure! Be sure to check-in and let me know how you are doing!
Blessings come in so many shapes and forms. Your miscarriages were no doubt very painful, but the happiness that your beautiful daughter exudes would not be there had you not had to trod down that path. Blessings to you and your family and thank you for getting this message out there!
Wow. This was really informative. I’ve been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia because of the symptoms you mentioned plus a few more…now I’m beginning to wonder about this deficiency. I will definitely look into this…thank you and I am SO glad you’re alright now!