Really quite scared now

resusjan

HI folks,
Sorry, I haven't been on here for a while.

I had an appointment with my rheumatologist last week, she asked me to get some more bloods taken as the last lot were looking abnormal.

I had a letter off her on Thursday saying that my B12 levels were really low and I needed to have some more bloods taken to find out the cause and also to contact me GP to start on B12 injections. I've got an appointment with the GP on friday.

My concerns are: I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid a few years ago and put on thyroxine. Then in february of this year was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and put on methotrexate, planequil, sulfasalazine and folic acid and now they think I've got pernicious anaemia too!

What on earth is going on - I'm scared that I've actually got something nasty thats causing all these other problems.

scozzie

Hi, I can understand your concerns, there's a lot for you work on ... however, a low vitamin B12 does not necessarily mean you have pernicious anemia. It could well be that some of your other medications are affecting the absorption of the B12.
I definitely think you should wait until after the new bloods are analysed and the reason, if any, is found for the low levels before worrying yourself too much.
From what I understand if it is pernicious anemia it is easily treated with either B12 injections or tablets, and will be less of a problem for you to handle than the hypothyroid or RA.
Here's hoping it's nothing to worry about.
Take care
Scozzie

resusjan

Thanks for your reply Scozzie.

I'm sure you're right and its the treatment I'm on that has caused this. Hopefully I'm just worrying over nothing!

I'll try not to think about it again until I see the GP on friday

Cheers
Jan

dreamdaisy

Oooooh, it's difficult, isn't it? The tendency is to blame everything that happens on the arthritis or the meds but I do wonder if it's easy for us to forget that - arthritis apart - we are still ordinary humans with other bits and pieces that can get out of kilter simply because they can. I think B12 shots are quite common in the U.S. but not so much over here. I had periods of anaemia and courses of iron tablets (but not since I ended the menopause) so if you are still of that age that could be a factor - and entirely natural. I wish you well with the GP on Friday and I sincerely hope it is nothing to be too agitato about. Let us know how you get on, yes? DD

valval

i must admit do worry about my b levels so make sure i get my m*rmite just to help and i love it lol val

julie47

Hi jan

I sometimes get anaemic and I have to take iron tablets for a while.
I am on meth,hydroxy,leflunomide,celebrex and folic acid.

My sister-in-law doesn't have arthritis at all and she has B12 intections, not sure how many times a year, but has been having them a few years.

Try not to worry, and write all your concerns down ready to take with you on friday

Love Juliepf x

suzygirl

The trouble is these auto immune beasties don't like to be aloneand tend to bring friends to hang along with them. Unfortunately it is common to have more than more disorder. It can be unsettling, but you are being well looked after, your bloods are being monitored and they are treating you.

Lets hope the injections help you.

barbara12

hI
sorry I'm not going to be of much help, but I do agree with what one of the others have said, that some meds do sometimes mess with absorption...of certain vits.....
I do hope that it all gets sorted out then you can stop worrying...wishing you well with everything

jillyb1

As already said by all the others , this is probably nothing that needs to cause you worry ; maybe you simply don't eat much dairy and eggs ! I am dairy free as this helps my RA , but I take iron tablets and need to watch my vitamin intake to make sure all is as it should be . Jillyb

resusjan

Thank you all so much for your replies - very much appreciated.

I think its all just getting me down at the moment and I feel a bit like I'm losing my marbles. I keep stressing about things that wouldn't normally bother me and am finding it hard to keep my emotions in check at the moment.

My husband has just said that he thinks I need to go and get some councelling ( its difficulty for him as he manages a community home for people with mental health disorders so probably doesn't want to come home to find me wringing my hands with worry and crying all the time). He's probably right though - I think I may be somewhat depressed at the moment but really don't want to take even more tablets. I'll see what the GP has to say on friday and may mention my anxiety to her at the same time.

Thanks so much to all of you for letting me get all this off my chest - I really do appreciate it.

Heres hoping you all have a good christmas and a happy 2012.

Love Jan xxxx

valval

i was having a hard time of it a while back doc did want me to take meds but am trying a sad lamp do you know any one who has one you can try it helping me no end can think straight again was sure was loosing it but doc did a test and i aced it lol good luck and keep coming and letting off steam if it helps val

resusjan

Thanks Val,

Thats a good idea - I will try one of those lamps. I really don't want to take any more meds - my GP put me on antidepressants after my mum died suddenly 3 years ago - I felt awful on them, so spaced out, I really couldn't function on a day to day basis.
Part of the problem is that I'm a really private person (thats why this is such a good forum), I don't like to admit to anyone around me that there is something wrong and try to carry on as normal, then I end up having a major strop over something really trivial and end up looking like a total numpty!

Luckily, I've got some good friends who forgive my little outbursts. They just put it down to me being red-headed!

valval

resusjan wrote:

Thanks Val,

Thats a good idea - I will try one of those lamps. I really don't want to take any more meds - my GP put me on antidepressants after my mum died suddenly 3 years ago - I felt awful on them, so spaced out, I really couldn't function on a day to day basis.
Part of the problem is that I'm a really private person (thats why this is such a good forum), I don't like to admit to anyone around me that there is something wrong and try to carry on as normal, then I end up having a major strop over something really trivial and end up looking like a total numpty!

Luckily, I've got some good friends who forgive my little outbursts. They just put it down to me being red-headed!

i am the same bottle it all up and takes a lot to admit something wrong it worth a try i did not want more meds either val

skezier

hi Jan,

you know, my friend, a little knowledge isn't always your best friend i know from my training that at times i have had the most awful illness from my symptoms and self diagnosis

anemia and the drugs e take are very good friends and it doesn't mean an underlying problem.... the chances are that you will be given a course of tablets and next bloods will be ok.

its hard to face the problems that these conditions give us at times and sending you a hug an a hope as well as a bucket or reassurance that anemia is actually 'normal' with these drugs. hang in there Cris x

dreamdaisy

Don't be afriad of the anti-depressants, it sounds as though the one your GP gave you back during that awful time was not the right one for you. I am currently on 20mg per day of Citalopram (I think I began taking them in June) it's helped the black dog no end and I wanted to come off it but my rheumatologist said no as it also helps with pain relief. As I am now steroid-free (and yes, I can feel the difference ) what she said makes perfect sense. I bought an SAD light but won't be using it until I am off the Citalopram - the meth is being increased next year in two stages to try and bring the more recalcitrant joints under control so I hope I will be able to stop the Cit then.

One of the things I have learned in the past fifteen years of sharing my life with this disease is that I only harm myself in bottling things up. I don't bang on to family about how shift life is but I do let them know when I am not coping as well as I would like and that helps everyone, me included. The code phrase is 'Stuff hurts.' That conveys the message eloquently enough! DD

resusjan

Thank you everyone for your replies. Just to update you all, my normal GP (who is lovely) rang me today about my blood results and arranged for me to start having B12 injections - had the first one today so will be getting 3 a week over the next two weeks then one every 3 months after that.

We had a bit of a chat over the phone and she wants me to keep my appointment to go in on Friday to discuss my anxiety levels. She also said that my recent smear test had come back abnormal but it was nothing to worry about - some sort of infection which she said was common and as long as I wasn't having any abdominal pains didn't need treating.

So, just wait and see what friday brings now/

Thanks all
Jan xx

.

salamander

I seem to remember reading that low Vit B12 can contribute to low mood. Might be worth asking your GP if this is the case.

resusjan

Hi Salamander,

I hope thats true I really want to start feeling chirpy again. I'll definately ask the GP about that on Friday. Thanks for that
Jan xx

dibdab

Try not to panic- they diagnosed me with low levels too recently and said it's caused by all the other RA drugs-I take a calcium supplement with extra B vitamins in them-like chewing chalk but if they help worth it. Hope you get sorted soon. Take care.
Deb x

ironic

Hi Resusjan,
Just wanted to wish you well with your appointment on Friday and hopefully your GP will be able to reassure you. Fingers crossed if your B12 is increased you will start feeling less tired and your mood will also pick up. Hang on in there flower, I hope you start to feel better very soon.

Hugs,
I x

skezier

hi Jan,

hope it will go well on Friday and with the jabs and the vit b levels being better you will feel a lot better soon. hang i there and fingers crossed for the doc's appointment. I wonder if counselling might help with the anxiety levels thing? i only say it cus it did mine. don't forget we do half decent pocket duties if needed. Cris x

resusjan

Thanks everyone,

On my way to doctors in a few minutes so fingers crossed (if that doesn't hurt).

Jan

resusjan

Hi folks,

just back from GPs. Couldnt see my normal one but she had left a note for the one I did see.

They seem to think I have been having panic attacks (based on the symptoms I told them) and have prescribed propranolol for now to help with the physical symptoms. Have also referred me for councelling to help with the psychological causes. Have also referred me back to rheumatologist for a medication review as I am on quite a lot and they are still not really working. She said, some of my meds could make me feel anxious, also the low B12 not helping and that I may have some unresolved issues with the death of my mum a couple of years ago that need sorting out. The propranolol is just to help me get through the time until I can sort me head out. Will wait and see how it goes but I really hope they help me switch my mind off a bit and get some rest.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts, will be glad when 2011 is over - its been crap - roll on 2012!

dreamdaisy

That sounds like a positive appointment, resusjan, at least you have something to help you through the next few weeks. I know what you mean about lots of meds and not much help but I reckon mine are doing more than I give them credit for, it's just me not being satisfied with the results. Right, the ironing beckons - at least Fighting Talk will be on the radio! Take care, rest up and please try not to put yourself under too much pressure. DD

frogmorton

Hi Jan

well done Hopefully they will look at your meds and maybe find some more help for you.

My eldest tried propranolol for her migraines. She was ok on them as l remember.

Love and hugs

Toni xx

resusjan

thanks all,

had a bit of a moment today, took a propranolol and felt much calmer after about 30 mins, RESULT. I'm not going to take them daily, just when needed but feel better just knowing they are in my bag.

Thanks for your kind thoughts. xxxx