Guest guest Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 Hi , Have they never checked your B12 and folic acid levels? This as our stomach (after the -ectomy) has lost the function to make the chemical that has your body absorb B12. Without B12 one doesn't absorb iron anymore either... Shortage of B12 can have permanent nerve damage as a result, so the cause of your malabsorbtion of iron should be checked. By the way: nice photos you placed! Love, Isabella Isabella-Anemia > > > Hi Isabella, > > I, too, have anemia and have had it before the 'ectomy. In April 2007, > I had iron infusions. My doctor sent me to a hematologist. I went > every week and was infused with iron. It really helped. You might want > to ask you doctor about these infusions once you return from your > vacation. My iron is still just a bit low, but not bad. I take iron > pills twice daily. > > Love, > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 Hi Isabella, As you know, I had my esophagectomy last October. My Doctor has never discussed B12 or malabsorbtion of iron with me. As for the stomach losing the function to make the chemical that has your body absorb B12 and causing permanent nerve damage. If this were the case, why would it never be mentioned before? I am genuinely concerned, not trying to be confrontational. Do you have any links regarding the nerve damage? (Maybe I should be taking a supplement . . . I don't know) Thanks, _________________________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 wrote: > ... As for the stomach losing the function to make the chemical that has your body absorb B12 and causing permanent nerve damage. If this were the case, why would it never be mentioned before? ... That substance is Intrinsic Factor. Dumping may also be a factor. B12 can also be absorbed sublingually as a supplement , or by injections. Here are some links that may help. Gastric intrinsic factor production and vitamin B12 absorption after oesophageal resection using stomach as substitute. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10554842 Gastric functions in patients with the intrathoracic stomach after esophageal surgery. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3741002 OncoLink of the University of Pennsylvania Post-Esophagectomy Diet (Warning - Possible erotic breast cancer related " art " photo.) http://www.oncolink.org/coping/article.cfm?c=3 & s=14 & ss=183 & id=989 " A multivitamin is recommended. Ask your doctor if you require iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid supplementation after surgery. " notan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 Hi , I didn't know about this either, untill we got signs of my anaemia. My surgeon's nurse practioner told me that it was standard procedure to test -ectomy patients after a year as to see how their B12 levels are, as it is known that these are low in many patients and many of their patients require B12 supplements (whether they are swallowed or injected it's just supplements). In many patients the levels start lowering only after two years, so if things are OK after one year, tests are repeated after the second. This as the body has a lot of B12 as a reserve, in many people enough to last for two years. In my case they guess that the former surgeries (myotomies) together with my malnutrition have caused the quick lack of B12. At least I would have it checked. You needn't be too worried, if you were anaemic, you would probably have noticed already and B12 causes iron not to be absorbed anymore so you would get anaemic. I do have links concerning the nerve damage, but they are all in Dutch. You can Google on B12 and I bet you'll find plenty. But again: no worries, but you do need to have it checked (at least that's the European opinion and in my case they seem to be right...). Isabella RE: Re: Isabella-Anemia Hi Isabella, As you know, I had my esophagectomy last October. My Doctor has never discussed B12 or malabsorbtion of iron with me. As for the stomach losing the function to make the chemical that has your body absorb B12 and causing permanent nerve damage. If this were the case, why would it never be mentioned before? I am genuinely concerned, not trying to be confrontational. Do you have any links regarding the nerve damage? (Maybe I should be taking a supplement . . . I don't know) Thanks, ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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