Vitamin B12

[Suz81]

Hello,

This is a bit of a strange query, but does anyone know if there is a connection between vitamin B12 and lupus and related conditions? When I was younger I was misdiagnosed with pernicious anemia, due to my low B12 levels. I had regular injections for several years, until it was reviewed and they found my B12 levels were through the roof. During this time I had suffered with fatigue and skin rashes, but a few weeks after they stopped giving me the injections I began to suffer with arthralgia and a couple of months later I developed dry eyes and mouth from sjogren's. I have always wondered if the B12 was stopping my symptoms becoming any worse, and if a B12 supplement might be beneficial. Please let me know if you know anything about this, because anything that could improve my symptoms would be great.

Best wishes
Suz
x x x

[flibble]

I have no medical proof just personal experience. I take a high dose B complex vitamin with folic acid and I can really tell the difference in the way I feel. I have loads more energy and fewer mouth sores and my skin looks much healthier. It could all just be a big coincidence that this started happening when I started taking the B's but.... I am a believer! Laura

[red24]

Hi Suz,

My Rheumatoid doc put me on Folic acid right off the bat. The folic acid is very good for the immune system. I have also been on vitiamin B and it helps. One other thing you may want to do is take a daily vitamin. I buy mine at Costco and do buy the Costco brand it works as good as any other daily vitamin.

Sorry can't help you with any info about the B-12. There are so many causes for Lupus it is incredible. A lot of time Lupus can be caused by trauma or bacterial infection. In my case it was because of a chemnail exposure that damaged my lungs and from there it went into Lupus because of the bacteria in my system all the time. I hope there is someone here that may be able to answer your question.

Your lupie friend,
Deanna

[Suz81]

Thank you for your replies. I will definately be investing in some vitamins and folic acid! I believe that my Lupus was caused by a glandular fever type thing I had whilst I was doing my GCSEs, and the stress of the exams. I think the high doses of B12 may have suppressed the symptoms, so I wil definately try some supplements to see if they help.

Love and hugs
Suz
x x x

[Lily]

Hi Suz,

In my teens I too had a vitamin B12 deficiency at one point, I only had to have the B12 injections for around 6 months I think though and was ok after that. It did correct itself. However later after birth of my children I did find I benefitted from taking a Vitamin B supplement which included B12. I no longer take it now.

My doc (Professor at major university hospital) said that Pernicious Anemia (an autoimmune cause of B12 deficiency) often accompanies Sjogrens . That was during a talk he gave to the Lupus Association. But he was outlining the importance of doctors missing the Sjogrens diagnosis or the Pernicious anemia diagnosis with these patients. One complicating the other, and especially in the case of pernicious anemia being easily being missed if one already had a diagnosis of Sjogrens.

Who knows if there is a connection and why though. Some here have had a problem.

love
Lily