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DanSJVDavis

DanSJVDavis

Joined
Jan 30, 2007
Messages
511
Another new guy, but an old acquaintance to Crohn's.

I was diagnosed sometime around my Sophomore year of High School with Crohn's Disease. Dropped to 96 lbs while trying to deal with school life, a sick step father and helping to take care of my brother while Mom was out trying to put food on the table. Since then I've had a number of surgeries, a perforated bowel that lost me my terminal ileum and keeps me getting B12 shots, and other minor problems. But I persevere.

I've learned a lot about my own body and limits and how Crohn's affects me in the day to day.

I'm working toward finally jumpstarting my writing career after all these years and hope to become a successful author sometime before Armageddon or Hell freezes over. If not for me, then for my little baby girl who will need some college money...or a massive supply of water, if the reports about massive water shortages by 2080 are true.
 
Hi and welcome, I too am without my terminal ileum, since June last year. Just wondered, how did you know you needed the B12 shots? Sounds like a daft question I know, but I don't have my bloods taken very often since I had my surgery, and lately I have been really tired all the time. Could this be a sign of a vitamin deficiency?


Ruth
 
B12

Ask your Gastro. Mine pretty much told me up front that I'd need periodic injections of B12 because they took out all the terminal ilium that absorbed B12. Generally, when I start feeling real tired and dragged out and wounds don't seem to be healing as well as they should and I start getting a wart or two on my fingers or thumbs that don't go away, or just that it's been a while since my last injection I go in for one. Heck, my old Gastro actually just asked me periodically when I had my last B12 injection and ordered one if it had been more than 6 months. I opted to give myself the injections as I have a new sister inlaw that's a nurse. They're cheaper that way, especially if the Dr gives you the syringes to do it with. A 10 dose vial only costs $10 or so without insurance. I usually tend to wait three months or so to get one, but I think you're actually supposed to have them more regularly than that.

I think there's blood tests they can do to check. Probably the CBC or Chem-7. I just know they occasionally do a SMAC, CBC, and Chem-7 battery on me to make sure everything's doing what it's supposed to be doing.

Generally, your liver holds an amount of B12 (I think it's up to a couple year's supply) as a backup supply if you're not getting any on your own. B12 and Iron are essential for the production of red blood cells. Some Crohn's patients are at greater risk of B12 and Iron deficiency (anemia) (talk about a double whammy). I'm frequently borderline anemic due to lack of iron and B12.

So yeah, ask your doctor and he'll probably run some bloodwork to find out. You could be low on either B12 or Iron.
 
Thanks for the info, I see my GI on Monday so I'll definately ask him. Thanks


Ruth
 
B12

No prob. Happy to help. Oh I forgot, depression is also one of the possible signs of a B12 deficiency. That or apathy coupled with the extreme lassitude usually has me checking to see if I need an injection.
 
Just jumping in here to say :welcome: to the forum!
I'm sure you will be an asset to the community.

~Nancy
 
Welcome to the Forum!
Sounds like you will have some pretty solid stuff to write about. Best of luck in future successes and lots of good health!
 
Welcome :) ! Great info. I see my GI in 2 weeks & I think I will ask her about B12, maybe it will save me a blood transfusion.
 
hi soccer mom,
not sure if you have a blood transfusion planned but i always find they make me feel so much better! not that i love getting them but they do offer such a boost of energy.

but keep me posted on what your GI says on the b12 shots as i am not scheduled to see mine for a long time.
 
DanSJVDavis said:
No prob. Happy to help. Oh I forgot, depression is also one of the possible signs of a B12 deficiency. That or apathy coupled with the extreme lassitude usually has me checking to see if I need an injection.
Click to expand...
Is this a common problem then? or is this just a symptom that you notice when you need to get topped up?
Only I have been taking anti depression tablets for 4 months, I had my terminal ileum removed 7 months ago and today my doc raised my dosage for the anti depressant as I have been feeling really anxious this last couple of weeks.


Ruth
 
B12 deficiency

The depression/apathy for B12 deficiency? Dunno about it being a common occurance, but it is definitely one of the side effects of B12 deficiency and I tend to get it from time to time. Kind of a "ho hum, what's the point" kinda feeling as opposed to breaking down or anything like that, which doesn't help when I really have to get those dishes done. ;)

When Colwell told me about needing B12 periodically I went online and started looking up the common side effects to watch out for as far as B12 deficiency. B12 anemia is pretty nasty if it goes too far. However, getting too much B12 can be just as bad, but in the case of not having your terminal ileum, that's not too big an issue, unless you are giving your own injections.

One of the many websites that talks about B12 deficiency: http://www.southerncross.co.nz/index.cfm?7645526B-D16D-45D9-BDFF-F4A08AF54864
 
I have a great plot you can add to your list of possible novels. Kind of a ghosty thing. It came as a dream. We decided it would make a very good story or novel, and, though I have a degree in English, I do not write. I can, but I don't. But ya would have to agree to give me some royalties!
 
EBH said:
hi soccer mom,
not sure if you have a blood transfusion planned but i always find they make me feel so much better! not that i love getting them but they do offer such a boost of energy.

but keep me posted on what your GI says on the b12 shots as i am not scheduled to see mine for a long time.
Click to expand...


I know what you mean, I feel warm & alive when I get them. Not to be ghoulish ,but my husband teases me about being a modern day vampire.I don`t have a date scheduled yet, I usually have 3 or 4 per year. I will be sure to post with what the Doc recommends. I am hoping that they might make me feel less tired & like in a fog.
 
Hi Everyone,
I haven't been in since last month, went to El Paso for my grandson's 2nd birthday party, cooked all the food, a fun time was had by all...I hate to sound like a dummy, but, i have a question what is a "terminal ileum" i'm going to the doctor with Monica this wednesday for a check-up on her fistula that seems to be taking FOREVER to close, and he won't do the reversal surgery until it does, i'm going to ask if we can start to use a calcium alginate dressing, it will speed up the healing, she wants the stoma gone hopefully by the summer. Otherwise she looks great, her primary doc told her the cholesterol is up a few points, but her iron levels great, she could stop taking the pills, asked if she could go back on the remicade, no, stay on the weekly humira injections. and also with a J-pouch, does that mean you have the ostomy reversed, and you have normal bowel functions? any and all comments will be appreciated. Sam
 
Terminal Ileum

52951-TerminalIleum


It's the point where the small intestine meets the colon. If you look on this picture, the same area is where the appendix is, so they usually take that too. It's the only area in the intestinal tract that actually absorbs B12.

IIRC, it also the part of the intestine that reabsorbs bile.
 
Last edited:
I too am terminal ileum"less". I had mine removed in 2001. And I too get the monthly B-12 injections. It's very important to keep check on ur B-12 levels, for anyone that has had thier terminal ileum removed.

Welcome to the forum...take care :)
 

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