Navigating Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Seeking Caregiver Support and Workplace Advice
A spouse seeks advice on managing the impact of her husband's B12 deficiency on his health and career. She contemplates caregiver support, employer communication, and the role of supplements in recovery. Insights on workplace reintegration and cognitive health are discussed.
Any spouse support recommendations?
Hi I’ve been lurking here for 3 months, reading all I can about B12, cofactors, start up, etc. In Oct 2024, husband was hospitalized- MRI, scans, lumbar all clear. The only outlier was low B12. We are about 15 weeks into injections, last 2 weeks we have moved to EOD. I am looking for others here - or another resource - where I can talk to other spouses or SOs who are caregivers. Husband is on short term leave but returns end of this month, and I’m very worried that he won’t be functional by then. He may be leaving a high performing IT position permanently, as he is still struggling daily with cognition, fatigue, confusion, depression. These seem to be the most severe issues, but he also has suffered from tinnitus, loss of coordination, change in gait, weight loss, gastro issues. This is a man who worked for years as a top performer in his field. He is improving, which gives me hope. But trying to explain to him (or even get him to read these threads) is challenging. I read to him a lot of the responses that you all share, symptoms, experiences, etc. and I cannot thank you all enough for your words, the resources here and the knowledge that is shared - without you, I fear we would both be lost. I’m curious if anyone here has experiences they would be willing to share about their work life - and how it’s been impacted. Specifically, any advice to share (or not) with his employer upon return to the workplace. I am considering having him request an accommodated schedule upon return. It may be futile, as I am familiar with how companies will sometimes push employees out after a leave of absence, and may terminate the employee for what they deem as a hardship. He’s given years to this company, worked ungodly hours, and I believe working here under such stress contributed to his illness. We realize that finding another position somewhere else may be the best option, but rolling into a new job seems equally stressful. Open to any and all feedback. Thank you for reading.
I'm really sorry to hear about your husband's condition and the challenges you're both facing. While I can't provide specific advice for spousal or employment support, I can share some information about the role of Vitamin B12 and its importance in neurological health, which seems relevant to your husband's situation.
Vitamin B12 is critical for maintaining nerve health and the production of DNA and red blood cells. A deficiency can lead to neurological issues, such as cognitive disturbances, fatigue, confusion, depression, and other symptoms your husband is experiencing1. It's good to know he's receiving B12 injections, as these can significantly help in replenishing B12 levels, especially when taken consistently2.
In terms of supplements that might support his recovery in addition to B12, the role of other B vitamins (like B6 and folate) can be significant, as they work together in various metabolic processes3. An integrated approach sometimes involves a B-complex supplement, which could assist further.
If you are seeking communities for caregiver support, you might want to look into online forums or support groups or consult a healthcare provider for resources tailored to caregivers of individuals with neurological conditions. These platforms can provide shared experiences and support as you navigate these challenges.
Footnotes
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Allen, L. H. (2009). "How common is vitamin B-12 deficiency?" The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. PubMed ↩
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O'Leary, F., & Samman, S. (2010). "Vitamin B12 in health and disease." Nutrients. PubMed Central ↩
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Kennedy, D. O. (2016). "B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy—A Review." Nutrients. PubMed Central ↩
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