The start of 2019

23

2018 was a tough year for me, I was (still am) struggling with my physical and mental health. I felt like I was falling back into my depression; constantly tired, suicidal thoughts, isolating myself, the whole nine..

But around the summer, my symptoms kept piling up; constant nausea, extreme tiredness, ataxia, muscle acidification (it'd feel like I ran a marathon even though I barely did anything), concentration problems, excessive hairloss, short of breath in combination with constant pressure on my chest, dizziness and abnormal reflexes. (I could go on..) Eventually to the point that I didn't dare go outside because I was scared I'd collapse.

My sister recognized these symptoms and said it might be because of a B12 deficiency. (She has the same problem and walked around with these symptoms for much longer than I have, until they finally found out it was a B12 deficiency. She now has permanent neurological damage because of this.) I kept procrastinating going to the doctor, mostly because I was scared of the blood test (I always faint, not because of the needles tho, just because my blood pressure is really low) but also because I was scared of the results.

In December I finally went to the doctor because I just wasn't able to fully live my life anymore. So after a lot of going back and forth to the doctor, since they didn't test everything the first time, I got my results back and well yes, it was a B12 deficiency..

So now it's January 7th, I had my 3rd B12 shot today and gladly.. I'm feeling a bit better. The neurological symptoms are the last one to fade, but I am already super happy that I don't feel as exhausted as before.

A vitamin B12 deficiency is quite a common thing, the problem is that the symptoms are often very vague. It's also regularly misinformed that only alcoholics, vegetarians and vegans can develop a deficiency. (My sister does eat animal products and is definitely not an alcoholic, but she had a bigger deficiency than I had. I though am indeed a vegan, but the supplements I was taking didn't work.)

Another big problem is that GP's often don't know much about vitamin B12 and how dangerous a deficiency can be. That's why it's also known as the forgotten disease. They'll simply wave it off and tell you it's in your head, you should see a shrink and exercise more. So I'm glad I got through to them and convinced them to give me a start-up dosis.

I'm sorry for the long story, but I just had to share my story for a bit. I guess you're all well informed now and hopefully you also enjoyed reading my first blog post. Sorry that it was such a serious first blog tho.

Much love, Ulula

VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
dehalo75:
Good to read! Like you mentioned, B12 intake is only half of the story....your body has to take it up as well. I know quite some women with B12 deficiency in my family, because theiur body doesn't take it up well enough. And they all eat meat and stuf. I am glad I don't have it, since as vegan they will say it is because of that as you also mentioned. Most people don't know that pigs, chickens etc. get B12 supplements as well, so meat eaters eat supplements as well (although indirectly). As a microbiologist I can say that B12 producing microorganisms are more difficult to find due things as hygeine, antibiotics, modern agriculture (monoculture, use o pesticides etc.).
gcharles:
I was unaware of this deficiency. I take vitamins because I forget to eat sometimes. I know, I know, I hear "how can you forget to eat?" And "I wish I was that way", but it is easy when you are on certain medications and no you don't.  I will randomly feel nauseated and feel like I'm about to faint and I have to rush (without running) to the sugar products and cram some in real quick while I make a proper meal. It doesn't happen often now that I'm aware what to watch out for and have a meal schedule, but it still happens.

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