Out of remission

Do you have to have a prescription in order to get vit. b12?
Also what are some foods high in iron?
and what can you do to help build up your white blood cells?

[lizziecee]

Hi Tina, welcome to our Crohn's Community.

I get monthly B12 injections at my local GP's surgery, basically because the Crohn's has scarred my terminal ileum, the only place in the body where B12 is metabolised, so no matter what foods I eat to get Vit. B12, I cannot absorb it properly.  The injections go straight into the blood stream, bypassing the terminal ileum.  I don't think you can buy these injections at the pharmacy, with or without a prescription. My injections come directly from the hospital where I am treated.  If your terminal ileum is okay, you can buy Vit.B12 tablets I think, from a pharmacy or a health food store.

Not sure what foods are rich in iron, the only ones that come to mind are liver and dark green leafy vegetables. You could try Googling "iron rich foods"?

I haven't a clue how to "build up" white blood cells, as I have the opposite problem, mine are too high, which is usual with an auto-immune disease, and are kept under control with the immuno-suppressant drug methotrexate - 25 mg injected weekly at home. Best to talk to your PCP or gastro if you have one.  I have seen quite a number of hospital based dieticians over the years I have had Crohn's, and tried some exclusion diets, with no success. Their advice now is to eat what I can tolerate and keep to a low fat, low fibre, high protein diet. I am also taking 3 x 200 ml bottles of Fortijuice daily in an effort to put some weight on.

Take care,
Liz.