B12 deficiency????

[skittles]

I have been taking PPI for the past 6 years and for the last 16 months I have been taking omeprazole every day. About 10 months ago I started getting pain in the heels along with tingling in the feet/hands that would come and go. Sometimes lasting for seconds, sometimes minutes. I also have experienced fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, poor memory, and dizzyness/balance, and once loss 8 pounds over a week for no reason (not dieting). I have been to 3 doctors and they have not found anything. One suggested it was an auto immune issue, but thankfully no. I also have has stomach surgery in 1976 and have been running/racing for the past 6 years, I'm 47 years old, 5'10", 150 pounds. I have been researching my symptoms in WebMD and they suggested B12 deficiency. Is is possible that is simply the cause? Should I start to take B12?

From Web: The body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 is decreased when taking stomach acid-reducing medications such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, ranitidine, cimetidine, or antacids that are often used to treat gastroesophageal reflux, ulcers or related symptoms. This interference is most likely to occur as a result of prolonged use (more than one year) of these medications. Another article: However, vitamin B12 deficiency does not generally develop until after at least three years of continuous therapy

[Health Dr. 1]

It is possible that you suffer from a B-12 deficiency, either related to the medication or to some other factor. Many people find that B-12 absorption decreases over time due to food choices, poor digestion, decreased production of intrinsic factor, food processing, or for other poorly understood reasons. Probably the best way to test whether you are deficient is to get a B-12 shot or, even easier, to try a sublingual methylcobalamin supplement, a very good form of B-12. This form is absorbed under the tongue and bypasses the digestive tract. A good product is called Unique B-12.

Please keep in mind that PPIs decrease hydrochloric acid secretion and may leave you more susceptible to bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infection. I would strongly suggest working with a naturopath to investigate some natural options to the medications. Betaine HCL, digestive enzymes, and cleansing may provide some options to help restore your body to health rather than simply decreasing a natural function of your body, i.e. suppressing acid production. An excellent cleanse protocol is located at www.ghchealth.com/liver-and-gallbladder-flush.html. The liver/gallbladder portion of this cleanse can be repeated several, usually 3 or more, times at 5-10 day intervals to help detoxify the liver, a key order for digestion as well as detoxification.