B complex deficiency and IBS

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My friend in San Diego who is a neurologist specializing in pain medication suggested that I ask my physician for blood work for a B12 deficiency.  Since I talked with her about this say a week ago, I purchased the B Complex she recommended, added beef back into my diet, along with dygestive enzymes and probiotics.  Wha la.  My stool is beginning to form after this flare that has lasted on and off (more on) for the past 4 years. 

Unfortunately, what works for me may not work for you but since she told me that ALL of her patients are deficient in Bs, B12 especially those of us over 60 who may not be absorbing it property, and I did some research on it, I found I have almost all the symptoms of the deficiency.  Talk to your doc, of course, before changing anything you are currently doing.  Taking B12 alone is not advised -- you need a balanced B Complex.  Just a thot.

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    Oh wow that's interesting I'm B12 deficient. Have been taking b12 for 6 months - haven't seen a change in my stools - they are still all over the shop never one solid piece. I had heard since that b12 may speed up the digestive process so I took myself off them 2 weeks ago. I was a bit better but probably only because I was only eating chicken and veggies so I think it was mainly that.

    Maybe I'll get some b complex as you mention and I have some digestive enzymes.

    What type of foods do you eat? Cheers

    • Posted

      Hi Rhonda:  I'm no expert on vits by any means but I do know for me the only B12 that I seem to be able to absorb (I can feel and see the difference in my skin and stool) is not Cyanocobalim which is what you'll get OTC in from a drug store or even a vit. shop -- it's inexpensive.  I buy on line Methylcobalmin and I've been taking massive doses of 1.0 mg = 1,000 micrograms because of certain symptoms other than gut that relate to B12 deficiency.  In order for there to be a correct balance in a B Complex, B12, Folic and B2 need to be in the proper dosages.  My friend in San Diego recommended a balance for me of [email]B12@6[/email] 6 mcg, Folic Acid 400 mcg and B6 2 mgs.  So I take that as well as the 1,000 mcg of the Methyl.... and several other vits.  I'm prob. over vitamizing myself but I'm feeling better.  I'm not having that urgency, my stool is beginning to form and I'm hungry again.  I lost my appetite for a while and in fact I was afraid to eat. 

      I eat hardly any bread or pasta, I've gone back to eating beef (ground), chicken (canned or cooked), fish, including tuna.  I use a lot of spices to help the taste of my mostly bland diet. I use butter in my rice and coconut oil on my oak nut bread toast.  Along with upping my vits., I lowered the portions of foods that I do eat.  I eat a lot of veggies (frozen) but I still cannnot handle onions and a lot of the cabbage family but I'm adding a wee bit now and then.  I've found that dried dill weed on almost everything gives a nice flavor to eggs (eat a lot of eggs made all types of way -- think stirfry).  Soooo it's kind of a trial and error, as you know but since I've started the vits and enzymes, I'm improving. I don't want to type more cause as my Italian grandmothers use to say "don't mention it cause the devil will hear you." 

      I must say, I would check with your doc and have your B12 tested before you change anything.  You can make yourself worse by trying to help yourself, as you already know.  My words of wisdom to you are try to LOWER YOUR STRESS level.  That, alone, may help tremendously.   

    • Posted

      Thanks for the advice and wishing you continued improvement smile

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