B12 injections

Oh you have such a lot in common with my DG flo He has suffered plantar thingy too and last week, after blood tests, he was told he has to start B12 injections next week and also a course of iron tablets. He had no idea he had low iron levels. He is on a lot of medication (diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure) and has also had prostate cancer. The GP thinks that some of the medication may have caused his
iron levels to drop. Enjoy your holiday!

MY DH not my DG!

My father had Pernicious Anaemia when I was small. I don't know the details but I understand it was touch and go if he survived and at the time the treatment was eating raw liver!! He was very relieved when the B12 injections were developed and used to have one monthly. I seem to have inherited the inability to absorb B12 (not as serious thankfully) so I also have just finished a set of 6 injections and will be having them 3 monthly from now on. It has made a massive difference to my stamina and energy levels, so I hope you can look forward to enjoying your holiday.

KatyK,sorry to hear of your DH prostate problems. I did wonder whether my lack of B12 may be due to medication taken. I have been on lots of meds, similar to your DH, since a heart attack in 2012, but had regular blood tests with my old Dr. They were accordingly OK. I did have pneumonia a couple of years later, and since then I have been tired all the time, and also had no idea my levels were low. I did wonder whether it could be thyroid deficiency, but now know differently.
Lyndylou I am due to have a blood test when we return from holiday to see if I will need maintenance B12 injections. Thanks for both of your helpful comments.

I have just found this - If you take omeprazole to control acid reflux, you should be aware that the drug interferes with your body's ability to absorb vitamin B-12. The higher the dose of omeprazole, the less vitamin B-12 you are able to absorb. ... In young, healthy adults there is no evidence that long-term..........
Not good, is it? I am on a 20 mg dose daily, but have cut it down to one every other day,

I will ask my GP about that, Auntieflo, but as I have regular blood tests and nothing untoward has shown up, I think I am probably safe enough with Omeprazole,

Anno Is your GP testing specifically for B-12? If not you should ask him/her to do so. Standard 'bloods' or those for most conditions/diseases do not routinely check for B-12.

Our DD2, who is vegetarian was tired, pale, anaemic and her Doc suggested she might be B-12 deficient which would lead to her not absorbing iron. She was tested and had the 6 injections over two weeks and now has the 3 monthly top-ups. DD1 then asked to be tested at her next routine appointment - also B-12 deficient and now having the injections. Both DD's then talked their father (who insisted there was nothing wrong with him) into having the same test and I was tested too just to encourage him. Result? Both of us severely B-12 deficient and on the same regime.

DH and DD2 both say they don't feel any different, but DD1 and I both feel an energy boost after the injection and experience tiredness and listlessness when the next one is due.

flo thank you. Thankfully they caught the cancer early and on his last test all was fine. He just has to go once a year now and we hold our breath!