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Could It Be Pernicious Anemia?


Guest malosp

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Guest malosp

Hi everyone,

Question: Has anyone that has posted on this site found that the cause of their dysautonomia was Vit B12 deficiency?

As usual I am bound and determined I will figure out what I have. I know I have some form of dysautonomia, but I am still searching why. And since I am waiting for my appointment with my specialist, I continue to search myself.

Anyway, this is the newest info I have come across. I did a search on pernicious anemia on your forum and there were at least 4 posts regarding it. As many here may know the symptoms of pernicious anemia are very similiar to POTS/dysautonomia. When I read this it did cause a light to go off in my head and I started keying in searches for pernicious anemia on google.

And I found this - :P that nitrous oxide can cause a subacute spinal cord degeneration (which would affect the nerves) in patients that have a subclinical Vit B12 deficiency. Also the nitrous oxide can reveal a Vit B12 deficiency.

Well just before I started with the tachycardia etc. I had dental work at least 2 times with nitrous oxide AND I have celiac sprue. I didn't know nitrous oxide could reveal a subclinical deficiency??? It binds with something and causes the B12 to not be formed. I would never have let the dentist use it because I know that I may be prone to B12 deficiency because of my celiac sprue. But I had always thought that since I was >10years post diagnosis and absorbing properly that I wasn't deficient in B12. But now I wonder?

Pernicious anemia symptoms are fast heart rate, palipatations, tiredness, exercise intolerance etc. In addition, recently one or the other of my arms has been going to sleep at night and I have to shake my arm out for several minutes before it is no longer numb. And of course I continue with the tachycardia and dizzines on standing.

I am wondering now if somehow all this related to B12 deficiency??

Again, I am wondering why all the specialists I went to not one suggested getting the B12 level?

I just researched it today so I won't be able to call my doctor until Monday. I have had basic labs done that showed a normal HCT & HGB and MCV...but I found an article that says if you are taking a B complex with folate (which I am) that could mask the anemia of B12 defiency. And if you have the inability to absorb B12 then the vitamin pill would really only provide you with folate and not B12 because you can't absorb the B12 with pernicious anemia.

Amazing....Any thoughts anyone?

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Hi.

Funnily enough, I know someone who has pernicious anaemia and whose symptoms, before she began to get injections for it, mimicked mine almost to the letter- walking funny, tired. dizzy, palpitations, etc.

It took them 9 months to figure out that's what she had. Apparently pernicious anaemia untreated becmes very noticeable- she got doagnosed when a neurologist asked to see her tongue! apparently it doe s something to the tongue that is really distinctive. And of course, it causes major tummy upsets.

It only occurs in people over 40, though. So I don't know if that precludes you?

I foundout 8 weeks ago that I am anaemic (not pernicious anaemia' my haemoglobin's down, not my B12) and I have had the sickest 2 months of my life- I've crashed completely, gone blue, had Vtach, SVT, possible asystole? No pulse/breathing spells when I faint, it's been horrendous. I've been told tho that anaemia can make POTS much, much worse cos of depleted blood volume.

Don't know if any of this helps piece together what is happening to you...

Good luck, and as the others have said, do let us know wht you find.

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I know someone in my near family that had symptoms for a very long time before someone realized that she had pernicious anemia.

Several of my doctors have already tested me for B-12 deficiency so it's not a issue for me personally.

My opinion is to do just what you are doing. Become as well informed as you can. I cannot tell you how many times I was the one asking doctors to do a specific test on me.

Doctors do not think of everything and I think they tend to think of the usual tests that they do in their specialty.

You're wise to continue researching.

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Guest malosp
Hi.

Funnily enough, I know someone who has pernicious anaemia and whose symptoms, before she began to get injections for it, mimicked mine almost to the letter- walking funny, tired. dizzy, palpitations, etc.

It took them 9 months to figure out that's what she had. Apparently pernicious anaemia untreated becmes very noticeable- she got doagnosed when a neurologist asked to see her tongue! apparently it doe s something to the tongue that is really distinctive. And of course, it causes major tummy upsets.

It only occurs in people over 40, though. So I don't know if that precludes you?

I foundout 8 weeks ago that I am anaemic (not pernicious anaemia' my haemoglobin's down, not my B12) and I have had the sickest 2 months of my life- I've crashed completely, gone blue, had Vtach, SVT, possible asystole? No pulse/breathing spells when I faint, it's been horrendous. I've been told tho that anaemia can make POTS much, much worse cos of depleted blood volume.

Don't know if any of this helps piece together what is happening to you...

Good luck, and as the others have said, do let us know wht you find.

I couldn't

Thanks everyone for the responses:

Persephone, I couldn't help but notice that you have stated you have a wheat and a dairy allergy. Have you been tested for celiac sprue or gluten intolerance? Typically if someone has a dairy allergy that means their villi may be wiped out from a gluten intolerance. Quite often when the gluten is removed from the diet the dairy allergy goes away.

Oh, and anyone can get pernicious anemia even kids. Many are born with the genetic predisposition but it typically takes decades to come out.

Again, I it has struck me that I have noticed at least 3 people on this site that either have celiac sprue or indicate they have a wheat allergy.

Again, wonder if celiac sprue is precipatating factor for some reason. Some nutrient that you are not assimiliating leading to dysfunction in the nervous system?

Has any one ever asked their doctor if celiac sprue is common in dysautonomia?

Again, thanks for the posts and yes I will continue to search.

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Hi,

I really think that there is an overlap of symptoms because the heart is just trying to do the same thing in many conditions -- get blood somewhere in a hurry! If the blood is weak (anemia of several kinds) or fails to carry enough nutrients or oxygen (low blood sugar, lung problems, etc.) or the brain is not getting enough oxygen or nutrients (blood pooling elsewhere, poor cardiac output, blood deficiencies, etc.), then the heart tries to send what it has more often. As one of my teachers put it, when you don't have enough busses, they have to run more often to carry the same number of passengers.

You have figured out the connection between gluten problems and B12 deficiencies. One specific test for B12 is urine methylmalonic acid. It is a better test than serum B12 which may look normal, but you body may not be using it well.

Good luck in your quest for answers and recovery.

OLL

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