Pernicious Anemia

Hi - I lost my thyroid functionality due to toxic chemical exposure while serving in the Army. I don't regret my time in the military at all, but it is what it is.

It seems the thyroid was a doorway, and without it being shut anymore, many unwelcome visitors came in and set up their new home. Besides the thyroiditis, I now have pernicious anemia, Raynaud's syndrome, scleroderma, and the newest and most nefarious invader, Stiffperson Syndrome. I never would have tested for it without Céline Dion's announcement, and I am grateful for her courage every day.

Stiffperson, however, has made it very difficult to hold down a steady job. It has made the cold winters here painful to my muscles. It has changed my idea of my future and my plans. I took my health seriously and used to feel I could do anything. Now I feel limited and that has taken a difficult mental toll on me.

I live in the northern part of the state of Utah, in the US. I appreciate the advice here and am looking forward to learning from the experience from people here. I want to thank you in advance for your help and your insights.#StiffPersonSyndrome #PerniciousAnemia #Scleroderma #RaynaudsPhenomenon #thyroiditis

Hello everyone, I’m Jacqui.

I am 30 years type 1 diabetic.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 2 years ago (levothyroxine)
10-12 or more years of fibromyalgia
and now my gp thinks I have pernicious anemia for which we are waiting on blood test results.

The fibro is very limiting but it’s the PA that’s brought me here. I’m struggling with symptoms and, at the moment, I seem to be getting worse by the day. I had blood taken several months back and while we waited for results I was put on a low dose iron and cyanocobalamin tablets and I perked up something lovely! I was meant to go and get bloods done again after finishing them but I had a fibro flare up and didn’t get them done. I guess I’m starting again from scratch now?

Right now I’m exhausted, dangerously unsteady on my feet (needing to use my walking stick inside the house), I’m shaky, my bums upset, having huge waves of threatening nausea, I’ve some stomach pain from time to time, appetite is almost zero (not helpful if you’re diabetic), struggling to hold my phone up right now and I just want it all to go away.

Is this normal? I know things will improve once I’m getting treatment but in the meantime I’ve got grumpy housemates (husband and adult daughter) and a home going to rack and ruin. I NEED to be well.

Any suggestions and/or experience shared would be hugely welcome!

Jacqui - Cambs, UK

I just wanted to introduce myself as I'm new to the group. My name is Crystal, I'm 43 years old, and I've got multiple autoimmune issues. Pernicious anemia was the first one at 22 years old, rheumatoid arthritis at 27, HS at 38, and alopecia areata at 40. I'm looking forward to being able to share my experiences with you and hopefully offer support for the bad days.

I had a follow-up with the neurologist today and since all the tests have come back normal he has no answers. I mentioned checking my ferritin and he brush it off. Suggested my primary care doctor run an iron panel. I mentioned pernicious anemia and he brushed that off as my b12 level is normal. I mentioned Ehlers-Danlos and he brushed that off. He agreed it may be fibromyalgia. He asked me to have my psychiatrist switch me from lexipro to Cymbalta to help manage the pain and my anxiety. I don't know what do to now. I have needle like pain throughout my body. Burning pain in the soles of both feet. I have muscle cramps and spasms in both legs, ankles, and feet. I have heartburn, bruise easy, have hot and cold flashes.