My b12 journey
Probably because of my severe b12, d-vitamin, iron and folate deficiency.. I had a manic episode because of the Zoloft I was given for my postpartum depression after giving birth to my first child in 2003.
2005: full blown manic episode. Lost my husband, my child (he got custody), my home and my job.
2005: while being manic I got pregnant with a man I didn’t know. ( yes, my mania caused me to do things I was not proud of..)
2006: after a manic episode, a deep depression followed. Gave birth. Today I cannot but wonder if my condition, the numbness of the depression, hurt my child’s development.
2008/2009: Another depression.
2012: Another downward spiral starts and I end up placing my daughter permanently with a foster family that has been a good support to both of us. I just wanted my child to have a somewhat normal life with loving, stable and.. normal family.
2014: a complete and utter crash resulting in long stay at a mental hospital.
2014: At this time the medication I am on: Zoloft : 200.mg Lamotrigin: ( mood stabilizer)450.mg Risperidon: ( anti psychotic) cannot remember the dosage A sleep medication: (cannot recall the name)
2016: My doctor tested my cholesterol and wants me to take statins. I decline. She also suggests vitamin d. I accept. By this time I have also developed bad psoriatic and my whole body, from top to toe, is covered in bleeding sores.
2017: My doctor tested me positive for COPD (I smoke). Suggest medication. I decline. By this time I have hardly moved, bathed or brushed my teeth in 3 years. I have also gained over 100.lbs. All I want is to disappear.
2018, January: I start talking Methotrexate for my psoriasis. Also folic acid 5.mg.
2018, april: I tell my doctor that I’m going to stop taking risperidon. Over the next 2-3 months I also stop taking lamotringin and Zoloft. Against my doctors advise but under his supervision.
2018, July: I start drinking homemade iced coffee ( decaf). This means I’m drinking 4-500.ml of milk every day. Lots of b12 among other things.
2019, July: I have lost 75.lbs. I’m start to “feel” my body. What a strange sensation!
2025, July: Discover in my medical journal online that I have had known vitamin deficiencies since 2010. Actually one of my psychiatrist in 2010 suggests that many of my symptoms could perhaps be caused by b12 deficiency but nobody follows up on that. I also discover that while hospitalized in 2014 I’m given b12 and folic acid for 3-4 months because I have a homocysteine level of 110,4! But nobody tells me. Nobody follows up on it.
2026: My doctor has removed his COPD diagnosis. I never had it. My cholesterol is slightly raised but not significantly. I do now take bio similar medications for psoriasis but beside that no medication. Homocysteine is down from 110,4 to 14. B12 up from 121 to 443.
I have not had a “bipolar” episode since I stopped taking medication in 2018. Actually I probably never had true bipolar but a Zoloft induced mania in 2005 further compounded by severe vitamin deficiencies. I have also, successfully, taken some high school classes online.
My finances are also the best they have ever been probably because it’s easier to take good decisions when your living and not just surviving minute to minute..
I am also so angry.. so furious. So endlessly horrified and sad. All that loss. Fortunately my children love me and despite everything we have a beautiful relationship.
I hope some of you can use my experience.