I thought it was just a sign of getting older; just something that happens later on in someone’s life. Then I remembered that I’m still in my 20’s. My wife always has to remind me about things. “Remember you were going to do that”, “your mum has already told you this”; “do I have to repeat myself again?” This has become an all too common occurrence. My memory is not what it once was ~ I think.
I have also become very rude and ignorant. This isn’t on purpose. Someone will talk to me and I will only be able to listen to them for 30 seconds. Any longer than that and I began to glaze over. This isn’t through boredom. I enjoy listening to people and respect what they have to say but my concentration levels have disappeared. I just can’t physically concentrate for long periods of time. I wasn’t sure I could link this to Crohn’s disease. How could a dodgy bowel affect how my brain works?
At my last consultation I mentioned these symptoms to my consultant. He asked some further questions then nodded his head and said it could be my B12 levels. He sent me off, with my little blood form, to the phlebotomist (Blood takers – not vampires). The last thing you need to hear when entering the phlebotomist’s waiting room is “Help, I need help”. A rather large man had completely passed out whilst having his blood taken. Luckily she managed to wedge him in the chair whilst she called for help. In this situation, I don’t think I’m supposed to help. So I didn’t. I sat down quietly and pretended to be oblivious to what was going on. Luckily for everyone, 4 nurses turned up and pulled curtains around the poor fella whilst they tried to wake him up. I was soon taken into a different room as I didn’t fancy having blood taken whilst they tried to bring an unconscious man back into reality.
My consultant had told me that they don’t check B12 levels unless requested, due to how much it can cost. This shocked me as this problem seems pretty common for people who have had surgery on the small bowel. Over the years quite a few people had told me to keep an eye on my B12 levels as they had suffered problems after their Ops.
B12 is very important for the brain and helps with memory and concentration as well as a few other vital roles. The wonderful world of Google tells us that B12 “plays a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood.” If this is my problem, it answers a lot of questions I have with regards to my sanity.
My blood results came back within a week and showed a very low level of B12 in my system. This is not good and requires urgent attention. Obviously you cannot just take a B12 pill as you would fail to absorb it. If you could absorb B12 you couldn’t be in this situation. You have to have injections for the rest of your life. On the plus side, I do now know there is a problem and it is something that can be dealt with. I’m kind of pinning all my hopes on these injections, but that is what us Crohnies do. We pin our hopes on medicine and IBD experts to help us through some rough times.
I’ve not started the course of treatment yet as I’m waiting for my GP to sort them out. It is not done as an out-patient at the hospital; you are referred back to your GP who will monitor you.
So hopefully the injections will sort me out. I miss my memory, I think?!
Keep well
Ben x
December 5th, 2011 13:57
Hi Ben
Another humourous post! I too feel very tired and glaze over when people talk
to me. To be honest, everything is a massive chore and i just put it down to the
mercaptopurine and steroids making me extremely tired. Having read your post i
think i may speak to my IBD nurse and get her to check my B12 levels as i didnt
realise having low b12 could make you so tired and drained.
I hope the injections work for you and that you find your brain
December 5th, 2011 20:28
Hello Jody
No medical person ever told me about the B12 issue or what it may do. It only came to light as I happened to mention it to my consultant. I now make notes of any strange things that happen to my body and ask him if it could be related. Most of the time he says no, but sometimes it pays off.
I really help these injections perk me up. Really miss my enthusiasm and my marbles! he he
Take care
Ben x
December 6th, 2011 08:18
Hi Ben. Not glad your b12 levels are low, but glad you’ve had it checked out and found a possible solution. I’m simply amazed your consultant or gp didn’t put you straight onto 3 monthly b 12 injections after your op. that’s what happened to me as the terminal ileum was gone, so no way to absorb it any longer. I have to remembers to book it each time, there are no follow up reminders so get it in your diary or phone, as of course, remembering things is what you’re having trouble with. My nurse says half her b12ers claim to feel,better after the jab. It makes no perceptible difference to me, but then my levels haven’t been allowed to dip.
I think it’s worth pointing out that once you are out of your teens your brain does feel less powerful and agile. A lot of friends have discussed this with me. You may just be experiencing normal ageing as well as everything else. Several friends have been paranoid about early Alzheimer’s aged 25 but just turned out to be normal.
Keep your brain active though. I’m sure you do, but learning a new skill, going to adult education classes or open university are all ways to keep it all ticking over.
I hope you don’t mind me giving this advice, but as a 40 year old chronie, I recognise some of your concerns that happened to me about 15 years ago and I thought I’d give you the perspective from here!
December 7th, 2011 20:34
Hello
I only have to look toward my parents to know memory loss is going to come my way. They forget most things I tell them. I just think Im a bit young to be experiencing these things. Luckily the bloods back up my lack of B12. Lets just hope it makes a difference. My 1st jab is next Tuesday, so we will know soon whether it helps me or not.
I agree with keeping yourself active. Ensuring the grey matter is exercised. My job is pretty taxing plus I do quite a few things throughout the week. I rarely sit and do nothing. I just wish I could retire now, whilst Im still young enough to enjoy the free time! he he
Hope you are keeping well
Ben x
December 13th, 2011 11:58
We were talking about this at the last crohn’s meeting(: will make sure mum gets checked!
Thanks Ben.
Tori x
December 13th, 2011 21:35
Its worth checking. I really hope the injections sort me out.
Was supposed to start them today but the NHS has screwed things up with bad communication.
So prob start next week
Ben x
February 14th, 2012 17:27
Hi, I have had to have B12 injections since I was 19. I told my GP that I couldn’t get out of bed as I was so tired – she gave me a ‘you’re a typical student’ chat. My consultant took bloods shortly afterwards and discovered my B12 levels were dangerously low. I had to have daily injections for a week and now have them every 8 weeks. I call them my energy injections and always feel much better when I’ve had them! Apparently B12 is absorbed in your terminal ileum so if you’ve had bad inflammation there, it can cause damage that prevents B12 from being absorbed normally and you need B12 in order to absorb iron. Hope this helps, Nicky x
February 14th, 2012 19:55
Thanks Nicky
I had my terminal ileum removed nearly 2 years ago, so certainly explains why I’m low on B12. It’s annoying that I had to become deficient before being told about injections. You’d think that after my op they would have told me about the possibilities of B12 deficiency. Oh well. I’m on the right track now.
It’s horrible when people just assume you’re lazy rather than accepting that you actually have a problem.
I hope you’re well
Ben x