Pernicious Anemia Treatment in India

Pari Kumar, a 58-year-old retired school...

Pari Kumar, a 58-year-old retired school librarian from a traditional South Indian vegetarian family, had been feeling increasingly unwell for over a year. She experienced profound fatigue, making her daily walks and volunteer work impossible. She felt a constant 'pins and needles' sensation in her hands and feet, and her balance had become unsteady. Her primary care physician initially attributed it to aging and stress. When her symptoms worsened, including a swollen, beefy-red tongue and episodes of confusion, her daughter insisted on a specialist referral. An Internal Medicine specialist, Dr. Chen, listened carefully to her history, noting her strict lifelong vegetarianism. He suspected a B12 deficiency and ordered blood tests, which revealed macrocytic anemia and critically low B12 levels. A positive intrinsic factor antibody test confirmed Pernicious Anemia. Dr. Chen explained that her body was attacking the cells in her stomach that make a protein needed to absorb B12. He recommended starting lifelong intramuscular B12 injections. Pari was terrified of needles but desperate for relief. Her first injection was administered in the clinic. Within two weeks, the brain fog began to lift and her energy slowly returned. The neurological symptoms took months to improve but did so gradually. After six months of monthly injections, Pari regained her balance and most of the sensation in her limbs. Emotionally, she moved from a place of fear and frustration, feeling like her body was betraying her, to one of empowerment and gratitude. She now views her monthly injection as a simple, life-giving ritual and has returned to her community activities with renewed vigor.