Seventeen years! OMG, thats too long to suffer . I’ll just share what I know at this point, with the understanding that I am not certain the B12 deficiency was the culprit for my constipation. I’m working under the idea that it is, but….I’m not sure. O

I have no idea how long I was deficient, since it had never been tested to my knowledge. It could have been that way for years. My mom has deficiency too and we apparently do not process it well, so I take sublingual.

It was below 200 when it was tested and I went on injections at that time, for a short time, but didn’t realize that I needed treatment for much longer to replenish the body. My neurologist directed me to take 1000 mcg sublingual daily stating in April this year. It’s thought any excess is processed out of the body and no reason for concern, according to my doctors and all I’ve read about mega doses.

I was perfectly healthy in 2022, except for having gained some weight. My stress level was not nearly what it is now. More stress now. I developed a thrombosed hemorrhoid due to the first couple of weeks of the constipation which is the most painful thing I can recall. Sufficient motivation to get to a gastroenterologist and do anything necessary to avoid that situation again. So, urgent care, primary, gastroenterologist and endocrinologist said Metamucil and Miralax. So I took them daily for about 2 years, except for the breaks where I tried prescribed medication like Linzess and Lubiprostone. They helped only a day or two. Resumed Miralax only for months. If I missed it, I would not go..at all. Then, after the neurologist examined me, reviewed labs, emg, MRI (paresthesia in feet and stinging hands, smell/taste disorder, hair loss), diagnosed B12 deficiency. He explained the damage it can do, some people can’t walk and have permanent damage. It can cause a multitude of symptoms including neurological. He says I should stay on it for the foreseeable future. At some point, we’ll recheck. It may take a year or longer to see much change, though I have seen improvement in just a few months including with my tingling, numbness, smell/taste, etc. . I still am not certain it’s the B12. But, I started feeling motility, so I stopped the Miralax…..normal ensued, then regular. It’s a miracle for me. I have other issues that could be involved too, but I won’t go into that.

I take 300 mg of Magnesium daily with my primary’s ok and have for 2 years. It didn’t help my constipation. I didn’t realize there was any absorption issue with taking it with other meds. Thanks for the tip. I take it at same time as my Crestor! Will need to fix that.

Good luck with finding answers. I hope you find something to help! Don’t give up. I almost did.