Well, this explains a lot...

[psychoscoot]

So 2 years ago I had this surgery, an ileocolonic resection, which saw that a very important part of my small intestine was removed.  That part was the ileum, which is the section of the intestine that absorbs B12 into the body.

Comments

[mooflyfoof]

Huh, apparently B12 defficiency can also be caused by thyroid problems (which I have, sinc eI don't have a thyroid any more). Thanks for posting this! I'm sorry you're having to go through this though. Missing vital organs sucks :(

[psychoscoot]

This is only a small portion of what's on my medical plate! Just wait until I post about all my vaginal problems! Haha! Fabulous!

And yes - get your B12! So glad to see I helped a few people out here too. :)

[mooflyfoof]

Bring it on! I love talking about vaginal problems. I seem to recall we have somewhat similar ones? Chronic pain is weird.

[vitegeist]

This is something that we learn about and are encouraged to remember carefully - I'm really surprised your GI doc didn't inform you about this complication. The way B12 is absorbed is actually really complicated and you need an intact stomach and terminal ileum to make it work. Glad you are finally getting what you need. On a side note, if you get comfortable with the shot, you may be able to request to learn how to do it yourself at home. That would save the monthly appointment which seems like a long term hassle.

[adamkjohnson]

I was going to say this... Seems like a pretty, you know, obvious side effect to watch for post-surgery.

[psychoscoot]

I wasn't told how much of my ileum was removed so there is still a chance I am absorbing some of the vitamin through what's left in there. And yes, my GP thought it was pretty obvious to check for it too.

[psychoscoot]

Well, I knew that the ileum absorbed vitamins and that I could have problems going forward with regards to this, but it took 2 years and my GP to test me for it.
I've been taking vitamins daily and haven't really felt like anything was wrong, until I just read about the symptoms, but I would have thought I'd have been tested sooner than now.

I guess I have to be a lot more aggressive about my own treatment. Or at least make sure my doctors are. All I know is I have no Chrohn's symptoms so everything is 'fine'. I should become more aware of everything else that could go wrong.

[veryscary]

hm, as a bipolar long-term vegetarian with tingling extremeties that I have long attributed to poor cirulation, I'd have to say dammit! I'm all about science but really know nothing about what it takes to keep a human alive (clearly).

[veryscary]

also: to think that all this time I've been trying to wean myself off of Rockstar when it is in fact keeping me alive!

[psychoscoot]

Get some B12 - you should be able to get pills of it over the counter. The tingling extremities could be a bad sign of nerve damage so hopefully it balances out and improves with daily B12 intake.

And yeah, it's amazing what one little vitamin can do.

[big_paul]

So, um, how do they get the B12 into you then? Like, injections? Is there a B12 patch? Can you smoke it?

[psychoscoot]

ew - smoking. :P

I would get an injection - either monthly or every few months. Depends on how my levels are.

[xsuecatwomanx]

That sounds tough!

Pretty sure though no matter how much you miss Ben, he misses you just as much!

Does omega help at all?