Sunday, September 20, 2009 Lisa asks

Q: Low B12

Ok now my B12 is a very low 150 why I ask no one seems to give me a straight answer is it my RA doing it or the meds which are 15mg MTX,Humria,Diclofenacsod , omeprazole,and folic acid I feel so tired all the time I hope the B12 shots help me feel better; that I guess I'll be getting once a week for a while they haven't really told me yet got my first one 2 days ago I don't feel any different I have been feeling so tired and dizzy and light headed I just wondered If anybody has the same problems

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Answers (2)

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

9/26/09 12:59pm

Anemia, including low B12 levels can be part of having RA - I've been very anemic all my life due to RA, but now that I'm on Humira, that's gone away. Getting B12 shots can be very helpful, although it may take a few shots before they really work. Hang in there.

Lisa

9/26/09 1:47pm

Hi yes they have started me on 3 shots a week of B12 then once a week then they will check it again to see how it's going she said i would then maybe have a shot once a month.I hope it helps me feel better cause I have really have felt bad for a while dizzy and soo tired.I know the meds and the RA it self can make me feel bad enough but it is still better than the way I was before I found out what was wrong with me I don't like the MTX but I know I have to take it along with Humira which has helped even more I'm trying to hold my head up for the sake of my family sometimes it is so hard I think it makes us alot tougher than people that don't have what we have ...they just have no idea.That's all we can do is hang in there and on a good day we will apperciate that day a whole lot more than most.

Ellen Galo

9/21/09 11:59am

Hi Lisa

I've never had my B12 tested, but I've been taking it for a number of years because I tried it once (before RA) and it seemed to help. My understanding is that it won't hurt you. Some people don't absorb it well through food, hence the shots. It's good you were tested. Hope it helps - let us know, maybe there are more of us who should have our levels checked!

P.S. omeprazole (which I also take) lowers the level of acid in the stomach, which unfortunately can decrease how food is digested. I have heard of that affecting calcium absorption (my bone density is low), but not B12, which takes a special chemical called intrinsic factor. If someone stops making intrinsic factor, they develop severe anemia. But all of us who are getting older tend not to absorb nutrients as well, anyway... I've been slightly anemic all my life, and the RA doesn't help that either!

Q: Low B12

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