Now that I have your attention, I shall begin.
There are many posts and much discussion about fatigue on this forum.
Attempts are made to differentiate between physical fatigue and brain fatigue (brain fog).
I have read many of these posts but with my memory being what it is I cannot categorically say of the question “Can vitamin B12 deficiency be the cause of MY fatigue?”
Maybe it has been answered and maybe it has not?
Here I want to put it forward as a very simple way to eliminate one possible cause of fatigue (I do not wish to differentiate).
Call your GP and ask for a B12 test. It’s fairly common for this to be done and you will soon know whether or not low B12 is the cause of your fatigue.
It is simple and it is quick.
I attach below a link to an article which is very interesting and I learnt something new [about B12 deficiency] from reading it.
Hey Roland - I don’t have the detailed knowledge and personal experience that you have, but in the first instance I believe that once identified, you can get B12 jabs from your GP and they can put you on a program where you are monitored every 3/6 months.
This regular check-ups would [in my opinion] at least ensure you know what your B12 level is and if indeed it is a possible cause of the fatigue and hence whether or not it can be eliminated.
As far as I know managing B12 levels is not at difficult - I used to take off the shelf pills and recently was given a booster jab after I had stopped taking the pills (on the GPs advice) a few years back.
To me this is simple
GP appointment - blood test. B12 level known, action taken.
If deficient, booster given and next review planned.
This is manageable.
Once B12 level stable and in acceptable range, if you still get fatigue, at least you have eliminated B12 as the cause. Good level of B12 is essential to good health and if nothing you have ticked that box.
I am afraid, I cannot comment on the Magnesium as I don’t have enough knowledge. What I know comes from you and I am still on the learning curve.
I watched your 48 minute video on the subject and unfortunately most of it went over my head. So I need more time to get comfortable on that subject.
Of course, we both agree and believe that we have done our bit by sharing our views (here) and in other posts as appropriate. It is noe up to the reader to choose the path they wish to follow and again, I believe that the path you and I might follow might not be the path others wish to follow.
It is at the end of the day a free world and we must choose what is right for us and what are comfortable with
To illustrate : my neighbor is B12 deficient and has been getting B12 jabs for a year. And, it wasn’t NHS who spotted this deficiency ; she had to go privately. Anyway, to cut a long story short, she is still B12 deficient. Getting jabs does not solve the root cause. What I can say is that “they” put her on 1200 mg of magnesium per day ; and in my opinion that’s a step in the right direction.
I know another lady in her 40 / 50s with B12 deficiency ; she has SIBO. It’s complicated, suffice it to say that B12 deficiency is common.
B12 is definitely one possible cause of fatigue. There are many others too. Injections can help, and i guess finding out why you’re deficient is equally as important so that diet can perhaps be altered to keep levels up.
Hi Roland - I must say I am only scratching the surface here and my knowledge is certainly nowhere near as good as yours.
My Mum used to take B12 injections - she is vegetarian and we were led to believe it is a common problem for vegetarians. So that’s the first thing - diet related.
She never really talked too much about how she felt in terms of fatigue or whatever (pre-stroke) and so I cannot comment on what if anything B12 did for her.
I myself have now been tested and am deficient but I can’t say I feel fatigued as such.
The reason why put this post up was because I read an article today on a site www.prevention.com and I think if we can prevent something we might want to do it.
This article which is linked in my original post talks about 9 deficiency symptoms and includes fatigue and brain fog both of which often come up for discussion on this forum.
So it makes sense to me that IF (and it is a big IF) B12 can cure it or help it then it is so easy to test for and to address so why not do it. It just requires a GP appointment to kick it of.
9 symptoms:
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Numbness and Tingling (my complaint that led to the test)
Brain fog
Loss of balance and coordination
Pale skin
A smooth, red tongue
Depression and anxiety
Vision changes
Looking at the above list, the symptoms highlighted in bold are all that have definitely come up on numerous occasions on this forum.
I am not suggesting B12 is the answer, but I am suggesting that if by taking a simple test and follow-up actions it would help one or more of the above, I for one would be happy to do it.
Wrt the two examples you mention, the neighbour and the other lady I cannot comment other than to say it is disappointing if the NHS has been giving her jabs they have not been testing to see the levels. I don’t know anything about SIBO and so don’t know how B12 may or may not affect that.
Finally, as @Mrs5K says there are possibly many other causes. All I am trying to do is use process of elimination to get to the root cause.
I appreciate you taking time to contribute to the discussion
That’s a common theme among the several women (in their 40s / 50s) ; some resumed meat and sorted out their Iron deficiency but not B12.
Sibo = small intestine bacterial overgrowth. B12 is absorbed in the ileum, produced by microbes and obtained from diet, as we humans cannot make it on our own. Conditions like Crohn’s disease, ileal resection, or pernicious anemia (lack of intrinsic factor) can impair B12 absorption, leading to deficiency. Ileum damage, basically
My partners B12 levels were above and beyond, she was tested for fatigue before she knew she had previously had a stroke. She drinks copious amounts of Red Bull every day, and puts her high B12 levels down to that.
I myself like a glass or two of stout once day, stout has B12 and other vitamins including magnesium.
I guess then we can rule out B12 as the cause of fatigue for your partner, which is fine
I love Guinness Original (Extra Stout). I remember hearing it was good for you many years ago (source of iron or something). So if it has B12 and other vitamins and minerals, I might have to increase my consumption
I had thought about drinking a unit or two of alcohol every day or every other day. Besides guinness, I like red wine and spirits. I used to have a glass of port and a glass of brandy many years ago. Omg - I didn’t realise I used to drink so much. I almost consider myself a tee-totaller.
Rupert - I have it in my head, you asked (and I don’t know if you were serious or taking the p***) if I was an actor or if I did acting and I never got round to answering that - I like to respond to all questions
Well, you could say I am an actor - you, see “If there’s a smile on my face, it’s there to fool the public …”
I feel there are two (at least) side to me - the public and the private and so the public side is me acting. The real me is someone not many people have seen
On two occasions I have been put forward to do some acting and I accepted. First I was put forward by a teacher at school to play a tramp in a comedy sketch. He specifically added this sketch with me in mind for the lead role as part of one of the school days (I forget the name).
More recently, though over ten years ago, the head of the department again did a similar thing. He decided I should be a lead character in an educational film for the Council. I was reluctant at first, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer and so I accepted. It turns out the film was presented at some larger gathering and won an award
My role, Bond, James Bond, 007.
Now not a lot of people outside the council I worked for know that !!
I was seriously asking. That’s interesting you are or were involved in dramatics. I dabble but was let go, I have been told by the director he will cast me in the pantomime this year but the role needs to compensate my condition. He paid for my dinner with the rest of the cast, after the performance, although I didn’t do the role which was very kind of him.
I think it is important to be aware that most, if not all medications will likely have some side effects and some may interact with other medications or certain types of foods.
I always try to read the information leaflet that comes with medication or look on the NHS site for side effects and when to take e.g. with food / after food etc.
There are so many things going in, it must be difficulty to pin down what is causing what and then there are individuals who may not be tolerate something that others are very comfortable with e.g. allergies. I love peanuts, but there are some for whom eating peanuts could be fatal.
I have read the many comments on fatigue and B12. I have had several blood tests and do not have a B12 deficiency . I have very bad fatigue, still though 2 years since stroke. please - this is a result of my stroke, no other cause . I was brain damaged and thus has caused fatigue. I now accept this and continuing to blame something else can be a senseless depressing search and I find it unhelpful,
It’s hard enough convincing other people you have fatigue from a stroke without having to convince the stroke community too!
Thank you for taking the time to give some feedback to my post - I appreciate your feedback.
Let me start by saying I am sorry that you are experiencing bad fatigue since you had the stroke 2 years ago and I appreciate you attribute the fatigue to the stroke and no to other causes.
I appreciate your blood tests show you do not have a B12 deficiency and for you trying to blame something else seems like a senseless and depressing search.
I am sorry you feel this way and it is not at all my intention to upset anyone or to make things difficult when trying to explain to other people you have fatigue which is attributable to the stroke and resulting damage to the brain.
If I have upset anyone else, I am truly sorry as I was only trying to help. As you mentioned there are many comments on fatigue on this forum and many, at least as I understand it, are looking for answers i.e. they do not just think it is down to the stroke and they have to accept it and live with it. Rather I feel they are looking for some answers and it is for this reason I am trying to find possible causes or as in this case to eliminate possible causes. It is my sincerest wish to help rather than to upset - I am a carer and I seek solutions that might help the loved one I care for. For me this forum helps to find answers and it is why I am here and why I post my thoughts.
I am happy for you to accept that your fatigue is purely down to the stroke and that you are happy to accept that. That is your choice and I respect that.
If I may make a suggestion, perhaps if you find these posts unhelpful, feel free to ignore them. At the end of the day it is just an opinion that someone (me in this case) is expressing. Sometimes we may say something that may inadvertently upset someone though it may no be our intention.
Once again, I apologise for any upset I may have caused you and wish you all the best in your recovery from your stroke.
@ManjiB
I did not intend to upset anyone I’m very sorry if I did. Just trying to add another view.
I have always found this forum to be most useful and it helps to ease the isolation on many issues.
Kind wishes to all
Julie
I have had many many blood tests too @jal11 and have also been told it is down to my stroke & managing it is the way forward. I do get levels checked from time to tome because things can change.
It is easy to forget that we are just as susceptible to other things after a stroke & often blame the Stroke without getting checked out. I’ve done it myself.
At My last stroke consultant appointment i was told fatigue can take 15 years to go. Cheered me up no end
@Mrs5K
Thank you for your post.
15 years! Then I’ll just have to be even more determined to live that long to see it off!
In the meantime I have learnt to manage it. And do my best to enjoy life, lots to be grateful for .
I know right. I was flabbergasted when she said. I thought i’ll probably be retired by then so won’t have work causing my fatigue so i should be like a spring chicken then
Like you am enjoying life best I can wholst zo wait.
and I am still on the learning curve.
