Blood Test Results

annebr
annebr Member Posts: 730
edited 19. Jan 2010, 16:23 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi,

As some of you will know my GP was a bit concerned with some of the symptoms I had been going to him with, over and above the probs with my hips. Before Christmas he was talking about auto immune disorders and even muscular dystrophy.

Well my bloods are back and they are all normal apart from one, B12 deficiency. The problem with this is I have had pernicious anemia for years and I had my injection 2 weeks before the bloods were taken, so this should have been normalish. Still with me?

Now I know the PA has all kinds of symptoms and I seem to have them all and it is an auto immune disorder. And I have noticed the jag hasn't been 'perking' me up the way it used to. But it looks as if this may be the problem (or one of them). I have to get my levels monitored again just before my next jag is due and some more checks but hopefully this is the cause of some of my symptoms. My gastric consultant had also phoned last week as he wants to do a a capsule endoscopy next month and he was taking about the B12 deficiency so it could all be linked.

I am not sure if they can increase my dose or if it is a case of getting the injections more frequently. But, I do hope that this helps. I know it doesn't explain the shoulder problems or the muscle loss but if it can help with some of the other problems that would be great. I am just so glad that it doesn't seem to be muscular dystrophy as this was scaring the pants off of me.

Sorry for rambling on

Anne

Comments

  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello I'm glad that you are finding out a bit more concerning the problems you've been having. It all feels much better when you know what is going on. I hope you get all the answers you need. Love Sue
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, Anne, I certainly hope that this is the solution to part at least of your problem. I've not come across anyone being quite so short of B12 before, certainly have friends who have the jabs, but they haven't had any probs so far.

    Annie
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI anne,

    if my hubby was still away I could ask him for certain, but I think when he was treated for B12 deficiency he had weekly injections for a while, then monthly, and for ages now he hasn't needed any - just a check every now and then on his levels.

    In his case they decided it was medication induced problem, which was sorted out - so no help with your problem ..... but I know it took a while for him to stop sleeping 23 out of every 24 hours.

    Fairly sure they were weekly injections though .... the doc who did them always ran late and we often waited 2 hours for a 5 min appt!!!

    hope they sort something out for you soon
  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I know the type I have is due to my body not able to extract the correct nutrients from food, it's not that I am not eating the right things. So will be on them for life.

    I checked the boxes for a lot of the symptoms but over the last 12/18 months I have been feeling worse.

    You can get them daily, weekly etc depending on your levels and I was dropped from 12 to 10 week intervals a couple of years ago.

    It will be intresting to find out all the results and hopefully feel semi normal again.

    Anne
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Anne,

    Glad you are at least being investigated and they have come back neg for MD. I get lack of the B complex cus I got crohn's so like you say can't absorb it too well. Last time I had to have weekly B jabs, then 2 weekly and then monthly. I can't remember the amount they used though. Are they looking for one of the IBD's with the capsule?

    I know both pa and IBD is autoimmune but I don't know if they are linked. My modifiers are used for both the Crohn's and the pa so maybe there must be a common link? My elder brother had Colitis and he doesn't have arthritis my kid brother doesn't have IBD but he has huge problems with his bones so I think it might just be in the lap of the gods really? There could be a predisposition?

    I hope you can get some answers soon and I know lack of vit B makes you feel rough so I hope they will be able to do something for that for you. ((( ))) Cris x
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Anne, sorry I don't have any advice but glad you, at least, know what's wrong and can hopefully be treated and start feeling a bit better soon. x
    skezier wrote:
    I know both pa and IBD is autoimmune but I don't know if they are linked. My modifiers are used for both the Crohn's and the pa so maybe there must be a common link?

    There is definitley a link, I've been told this by my rheumy and my gastroenterologist (I'm being investigated for IBD).
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, I don't know anything about this either, but just want to wish you good luck and hope you can soon feel a lot better. :wink: Take care, love Sue
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,883
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Anne
    Poor you.
    So glad it wasn't MD though eh? phew!!
    I hope they have some ideas as B12 is really important as I think it enables us to USE the iron??
    You take care
    Love Toni xx
  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Anne,

    Glad you are at least being investigated and they have come back neg for MD. I get lack of the B complex cus I got crohn's so like you say can't absorb it too well. Last time I had to have weekly B jabs, then 2 weekly and then monthly. I can't remember the amount they used though. Are they looking for one of the IBD's with the capsule?

    I know both pa and IBD is autoimmune but I don't know if they are linked. My modifiers are used for both the Crohn's and the pa so maybe there must be a common link? My elder brother had Colitis and he doesn't have arthritis my kid brother doesn't have IBD but he has huge problems with his bones so I think it might just be in the lap of the gods really? There could be a predisposition?

    I hope you can get some answers soon and I know lack of vit B makes you feel rough so I hope they will be able to do something for that for you. ((( ))) Cris x



    Cris,

    They have been investigating Crohns as there is a famly history. So far I have had 2 colonoscopys, barium follow through and they want to do a capsule endoscopy next month, which I am going to cancel for the time being. I just can't bear the thought of the prep and another invasive procedure at the moment. There is a link between them and also arthritis. I have just joined the perncious anemia society there seems to be some research which I can help with. Let me know if you want any info via pm.

    When I go back to docs I will have more info and be able to ask the right questions. I know this doesn't explain the muscle loss but if they up my frequency and I get to feel semi normal, whatever that is, that would be good.

    Anne
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Anne,

    Actually if you wouldn't mind sending me it cus the last flare I had left me very anemic but thankfully I have made that back up. Vit B is a problem and is K I can't remember but kow there is more than the B's.

    Flower I know how horrible the preparation is but I really think you should go for the capsule you know. Its far superior to the other tests and it really does show whats going on in a way the tube cameras can't. Down here it was also the first thing to be axed in cost cutting and it was gone for the foreseeable future..... It might now be back. Its so good it see's it all and would give them all they needed to diagnose you so just think about having it. Its the last test I needed and well I wish they had used it first :wink: Good luck either way. ((( ))) Luv Cris x
  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Cris,

    I will pm you the details, I have joined (£15) and there is loads of info. I think I am going to make an appointment with the nurse discuss the symptoms and levels and ask to be put on more frequent jags to see if it helps. Seemingly your levels may be ok but you still have the symptoms.

    I know what you are saying about the endoscopy but I really can't face the preparation. Another thing is I am still on morphine and they want me off all drugs for 48 hrs, as well as being empty, and i have to do a phased reduction. I spoke to the consultant and he says that I can postpone it for the time being and he will continue to monitor my imflamation levels but if they get higher he is doing it I don't have a choice.

    Anne
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Anne,

    Thanks and well I know how bad it is to do the preparation and understand exactly where your coming from. Mine was made easy cus they knew it was about to be cancelled and though they knew what was wrong they needed to see how much damage it had done. You hang in there and I really hope things get better for you soon. Luv and a ((( ))) Cris x