Handbag in fridge and other funny things!

Major B12 concern for young women, being low in this vitamin could affect your fertility!

Not a worry for me but I noticed that my skin was getting dry again and that the dreaded nightmares about my ‘ex’. were coming back It was a sure sign that my B12 injection was needed again. So I booked in.
The nurse, ever so efficient noticed that it was only 9 weeks since my last one and said that I had to wait 12 weeks between them.

Now, I’d already had this argument with my GP, who had forgotten to update my notes that I could have it between 8 – 12 weeks as needed.
Here was me putting my handbag in the fridge, not being able to go to the shops for 1 item without forgetting it, being even more tired than normal and my hair breaking and nails cracking!
If I carried on like this then I’d go so downhill, bruised from banging into things and battered by failing memory and eyesight in 3 weeks, that it would take me 3 weeks after the injection to begin to even see through the fog that drenched my brain.

Have confidence and you can be strong too

Now I was ready for that argument. I appeared to be an old women, bordering on dementia and a bit forgetful as to when she could have her injection……
I saw the lion, ready to march into the Dr and give him a very strong piece of my mind, in view of the fact that he had once again failed to deliver in his patients best interest.

Nurse came back
‘Dr has amended his notes but asks that you don’t ask for the injection unless it is 8 weekly intervals’.
I almost laughed as it was their final bit of control over me.
Check out all the silly symptoms that a lack of B12 can give you and get to your GP if you need to. Don’t be put off with them saying you are OK and ‘stop reading the internet’. Help them by saying you are saving them time spent on research by you doing it yourself. Be assertive and proactive and get the better health you deserve.

I found more useful internet research too and some great comments so here they are

Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia or folate deficiency anaemia develops when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly.

The main symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency or folate deficiency anaemia are:

• tiredness
• lethargy (lack of energy)

You should see your GP if you have persistent tiredness or lethargy. If they suspect anaemia, you will be asked to have a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.

Vitamin B12 and folate

Vitamin B12 and folate work together to help the body produce red blood cells. They also have several other important functions:

• vitamin B12 helps to keep the nervous system (brain, nerves and spinal cord) healthy
• folate is important for pregnant women because it reduces the risk of birth defects in unborn babies

Vitamin B12 is found in:

• meat
• eggs
• dairy products

The best source of folate is green vegetables such as:

• broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• peas

Treating vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia

Most cases of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency are easily treated.
Supplements of vitamin B12 are usually given by injection at first, followed by tablets until the deficiency is under control.  In cases where there are problems absorbing vitamin B12, such as in pernicious anaemia, you will need supplements for the rest of your life.
Folic acid tablets are used to restore folate levels, which usually need to be taken for four months.
Improving your diet can prevent the condition returning, depending on the underlying cause of your vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

In rare cases vitamin B12 or folate deficiency may lead to complications, such as problems with the heart, lungs and nervous system and increase your risk of infertility. However, most of these complications can be treated.

A new video has been released that all medical professionals and patients should watch.

A NHS patient comment……
I have been suffering from tiredness , pins and needles in my hands on waking and my periods messed up and what I believe to be arthritis in my hands and knees for years I have been diagnosed as depressed had an op on my knee told docs thought I was menopausal they done several test but failed to do b12 until a year ago then told me my red blood cells are enlarged because I drink to much of a weekend and that my kidney and bladder were struggling I recently had another b12 test and the Dr told me that my red blood cells to large the same as last time but I now had elevated liver and kidneys which I didn’t have before, have to go for another test Christmas eve think I’m celiac and b12 deficient with possible internal damage ( thanks docs for fobbing me off for years) I’ve had bowel probs for years they gave me barium enigma said there was nothing wrong so been taking laxatives for 16 years to go toilet which is probably the cause as it can flush out the enzymes which break down your food and extract the b12 so I’m looking. Like a lifetime of irreparable damage and I’m only 39 – injections here we come ( if only the docs had taken it more seriously and sorted me out 16 years ago.

For more check out this website, it just so happens to be the NHS!