Vitamin B12 Deficiency or Azathioprine side-effects?

[crohnie1800]

I'm 15. I have had Crohns since 9 years but I was diagnosed at 13 when the disease was reeally severe (with obstruction). I had IC resection and anastamosis (and laparoscopy before open surgery). I was on mesalazine for one year with Aza and I'm still on aza (75 mg) with Vit B12 syrup.

SO I have these things going on with me:
Concentration problems
Vision blurring from distances
Swollen lymph nodes (on neck, knees, feet, groin, armpits,)
Hair fall
Occasional body swelling (mostly face and legs)
Light-sensitivity
mood-swings

Are these Vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms or side-effects? Note that I do not have anemia. My HB Is 11.1 and has never actually been normal. I have occasional faint spells but not anemia in the sense. What is this?

and also, I have had diarrhea for over months now. I had surgery 2 years back and now Im kinda having stomach pains and with those diarrhea, I m worried Im flaring?

Please answer both my questions> Im really really concerned about this!

 

[UnXmas]

The stomach pain and diarrhoea probably mean you are flaring. Don't worry, this doesn't mean you'll get another obstruction or need surgery, but the quicker you get it checked out and, if necessary get on more medication, the smaller the chance you'll have serious problems.

The other symptoms you mention could be many things, some are possibly B 12 deficiency. I think you should see a doctor to be certain. B 12 can be checked with a simple blood test.

 

[crohnie1800]

The stomach pain and diarrhoea probably mean you are flaring. Don't worry, this doesn't mean you'll get another obstruction or need surgery, but the quicker you get it checked out and, if necessary get on more medication, the smaller the chance you'll have serious problems.

The other symptoms you mention could be many things, some are possibly B 12 deficiency. I think you should see a doctor to be certain. B 12 can be checked with a simple blood test.

Thankyou!
Well. I haven't had a flare since 2 years back and I've had severe Crohn's before (hence severe flaring) so these stomach pains are like, a 'clenching' sort of pain, they come at night only and are connected with my movements...
And, also, what about the Azathioprine side-effects? None of the symptoms I've mentioned are related to Aza?

 

[DEmberton]

What is B12 syrup? Something you drink?

You probably ought to be getting injections. Certainly something to ask about.

 

[crohnie1800]

What is B12 syrup? Something you drink?

You probably ought to be getting injections. Certainly something to ask about.

I know, right? I should be but they put me on syrup. Do you think that's why all these stuff's happening?

 

[UnXmas]

I've not heard of B12 syrup. I recently became B12 deficient (I've had an ileostomy for a while, but had some more small intestine removed at the end of last year and I think that made the difference), my GP just booked me straight in for injections, no mention of anything else. I got no symptoms of B12 deficiency, trying to guess what's wrong by symptoms can be unreliable, you need to get checked out and get blood tests.

 

[crohnie1800]

I've not heard of B12 syrup. I recently became B12 deficient (I've had an ileostomy for a while, but had some more small intestine removed at the end of last year and I think that made the difference), my GP just booked me straight in for injections, no mention of anything else. I got no symptoms of B12 deficiency, trying to guess what's wrong by symptoms can be unreliable, you need to get checked out and get blood tests.

Right. Soo, how do i know that I'm 'out' of remission? Do' you think the pains Im having now are flare-ups? with that description I gave?

 

[UnXmas]

You go to a doctor. No one can tell you for certain based on your description, though since you already have the diagnosis, any abdominal pain and diarrhoea means there's a good chance you're flaring. The other symptoms you listed are not symptoms of a flare, some could be med side effects, some could be a deficiency, some could be unrelated to Crohn's.

Is there a reason you don't want to see a doctor? You don't need to work out what's wrong on your own - it's your doctor's responsibility, and some of your symptoms sound like they need treatment. Do you have a specialist you can make an appointment with?

 

[crohnie1800]

You go to a doctor. No one can tell you for certain based on your description, though since you already have the diagnosis, any abdominal pain and diarrhoea means there's a good chance you're flaring. The other symptoms you listed are not symptoms of a flare, some could be med side effects, some could be a deficiency, some could be unrelated to Crohn's.

Is there a reason you don't want to see a doctor? You don't need to work out what's wrong on your own - it's your doctor's responsibility, and some of your symptoms sound like they need treatment. Do you have a specialist you can make an appointment with?

well, not really. I mean, my doctor isn't really where I am, I have to go abroad for my check-ups and I can't go until December, which is why I'm just checking whether these symptoms are serious or not. And I'm from an Asian country where the people--including doctors, have not much knowledge about Crohn's so I'm not taking any more misleading judgements from them.

 

[UnXmas]

Ok, I see your problem. Unfortunately the answers are still the same. There's a good chance your symptoms indicate a flare, but I couldn't say whether it's likely to be immediately serious. It is always safer to get flares under control early, as more damage can be done as time passes. You're probably able to work out for yourself if your diarrhoea and pain are very severe or not.

The other symptoms could have many causes. Mood swings and concentration problems may indicate nothing serious at all, but vision problems and swollen lymph nodes I would get checked out if you can. They're not Crohn's symptoms, so I don't know whether the doctors where you are would be more familiar with them than they are with Crohn's, but I would urge you to still seek medical help if you can, even if it's just to make sure there's nothing immediately dangerous going on until you can get to see your usual doctor.

 

[crohnie1800]

Ok, I see your problem. Unfortunately the answers are still the same. There's a good chance your symptoms indicate a flare, but I couldn't say whether it's likely to be immediately serious. It is always safer to get flares under control early, as more damage can be done as time passes. You're probably able to work out for yourself if your diarrhoea and pain are very severe or not.

The other symptoms could have many causes. Mood swings and concentration problems may indicate nothing serious at all, but vision problems and swollen lymph nodes I would get checked out if you can. They're not Crohn's symptoms, so I don't know whether the doctors where you are would be more familiar with them than they are with Crohn's, but I would urge you to still seek medical help if you can, even if it's just to make sure there's nothing immediately dangerous going on until you can get to see your usual doctor.

Thankyou!
Yeah, I'm bit worried about the lymph nodes too, as they're increasing in number by the days. I've somehow gotten that as a long-term side-effect of aza, or something like that, (maybe involved with the low immunity), I don't know, really. But yes, I'll just keep my symptoms under check until I get checked.
There's this one thing though, I've been on aza for almost 2 years, and my immunity hasn't gone low, like it's expected to. (not that I want it to), so does that mean it's not working on me ?

 

[Catherine]

Your GI should be able to check your vitamin b12, folate and ferritin levels. Is your hemoglobin level steady or is it falling over time?

 

[David]

You've been given some excellent advice thus far. While I think you may be deficient in B12, I suspect there may be other deficiencies as well. Magnesium and zinc are the first two to come to mind. I'd get the zinc tested and supplement a quality magnesium (not magnesium oxide).

 

[crohnie1800]

Your GI should be able to check your vitamin b12, folate and ferritin levels. Is your hemoglobin level steady or is it falling over time?

A few months ago, my hemoglobin was 12, but after the latest test (over a week ago), it was 11.1. It had never gone above 12 (12 was the most, to be honest).

 

[crohnie1800]

You've been given some excellent advice thus far. While I think you may be deficient in B12, I suspect there may be other deficiencies as well. Magnesium and zinc are the first two to come to mind. I'd get the zinc tested and supplement a quality magnesium (not magnesium oxide).

Magnesium and zinc deficiency has never crossed my mind, actually. I should get that checked out as well, probably. Thanks so much!

 

[David]

The serum magnesium blood test isn't very good unfortunately as the body does everything it can to maintain serum mg. It's so hard to get enough Mg in the western diet and various aspects of Crohn's can also cause deficiency. As such, it's the only supplement I recommend Crohnies blindly supplement without testing.

 

[crohnie1800]

The serum magnesium blood test isn't very good unfortunately as the body does everything it can to maintain serum mg. It's so hard to get enough Mg in the western diet and various aspects of Crohn's can also cause deficiency. As such, it's the only supplement I recommend Crohnies blindly supplement without testing.

well, um what about the lymph nodes then? I noticed that they are hardened and remains in place. One on the back of my head, my knees, armpits, feet, hand and many in the neck. It's been over two years, and have not decreased at all. The hardening happened weeks ago and have not declined

 

[David]

I'm not sure what would cause that one, sorry.