The more I read the more I get (dare I say) 'angry' that my doc's over the years have never mentioned any of this 'stuff' to me...........

Like for instance these facts which I have found on the internet about the drug I have been prescribed, and been taking for my reflux problems:

(where possible I include the www address so anyone else interested can go look for more information)

SOMAC Pantoprazole
Generally, daily treatment with any acid-blocking medicines over a long time (e.g. longer than 3 years) may lead to malabsorption of cyanocobalamin caused by hypo- or achlorhydria. Rare cases of cyanocobalamin deficiency under acid-blocking therapy have been reported in the literature. This should be considered if respective clinical symptoms are observed.
To date there has been no experience with treatment in children.
In long-term treatment, especially when exceeding a treatment period of 1 year, patients should be kept under regular surveillance.
Patients being treated for mild reflux disease and associated symptoms with SOMAC 20 mg, who do not respond after 4 weeks, should be investigated.
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/dat...s/somactab.htm

(I have been on this particular brand for 7 years)

So what I am reading here (in my own language) is that

(a) I should be closely monitored becuase the problem did not rectify itself.......

(b) they do know of 'rare cases' of cyanocobalamin deficiency under acid-blocking therapy . They state it should be considered if ? clinical symptoms (? of B12 deficiency) are observed!

TO DATE my doc's have not questioned why I need to remain on this medication..... nor have they even thought of the possibility that this drug could be the cause ..... IF IT IS .... of my problems.

I know I know...... they are too busy to read the stuff on web sites, they rely on what the drug rep's tell them......... arghhhhhhhh this is another major problem... but a different issue to the one we are discussing here.


Anyway I kept on reading and found another good lot of information here:
http://www.socalrejuvenation.com/fatigue.html

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays an important role in DNA synthesis and neurologic function. Deficiency can lead to a wide spectrum of hematologic and neuropsychiatric disorders that can often be reversed by early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Excuse me...... did I just read 'early detection'.... and possible reversal...... I have been trying to get a proper diagnosis now for seven years....... so much for EARLY DETECTION being able to reverse neuro symptoms...... arghhhhh

TABLE 1
Clinical Manifestations of Vitamin B12 Deficiency


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Hematologic
Megaloblastic anemia
Pancytopenia (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia)
Neurologic
Paresthesias
Peripheral neuropathy
Combined systems disease (demyelination of dorsal columns and corticospinal tract)
Psychiatric
Irritability, personality change
Mild memory impairment, dementia
Depression
Psychosis
Cardiovascular
Possible increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke

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I have also read several times that neurological symptoms can quite often be present without the 'usual blood probelms' associated with B12 deficiency.

Gee I wish Doc's had time to read all of this..... would help make doctor's office visits far more productive.

I shall cease and desist for now....... thanks for listening again