Extreme foot pain day of injection.

[JanetteWebster]

Hi all and Happy New Year

I don't know if this is associated or not. I had my injection yesterday morning and then totally out of the blue came down with extreme cramping and pain in my foot / ankle which increased while standing. This became excruciating throughout the night and I have been awake and in agony all night.

I know that I probably should have gone to A&E but couldn't go through it all and have taken anti inflammatory drugs in the hope of it easing.

After my loading dose this was the third injection. Could it be a side effect or something totally unrelated. I have a history of calf problems including compartment syndrome and feared DVT but don't think that I have those symptoms. really don't want to go to the docs as I seem to have lived there last year :(.

Has anyone else experienced this. Many thanks in advance.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Sorry but the best thing to do is probably go and see your GP.

I used to get cramping and bad pain in right foot and leg before I got my B12 treatment to a level that suited me, but I'm not sure that the problem was one that continued without a break for quite as long as you have been suffering.

It is perfectly possible that it might be a sign of nerves communicating again with the brain (a degree of hypersensitivity to pain is quite common when B12 treatment starts) and may quieten down or it could be something else entirely.

[JanetteWebster in reply to Gambit62]

Hi. Many thanks for your usual prompt reply. You've been great I am wondering if it is the nerves as it's worse when I lay down not sit up with is kind of odd eh. I know the GP should be the next call but I am waiting to see if it eases a bit more. Throughout the night it was horrific, I have never had such immense pain but fit has subsided a bit now. Fingers crossed xx

[fbirder]

When you start supplementing with B12 it can lower your potassium levels. One symptom of low potassium is muscle cramps.

Try eating bananas and avacados, replace your table salt with low-sodium stuff (which is normally potassium chloride) or buy some supplements.

[JanetteWebster in reply to fbirder]

That's great advice. I have just eaten two bananas :). Was concerned as the pain goes to quite extreme. This B12 lark is a confusing never ending problem thing isn't it xx

[deniseinmilden in reply to fbirder]

Hi! I was going to suggest potassium too...

[Frodo]

I don't know but think if you have a history of calf problems you should see the GP to rule things out.

I believe low magnesium can also cause muscle cramping?

And after one of my early injections I had a severe and sickening wrist/hand pain/cramp which I've had before but it lasted much longer than usual, 24 hours. No idea why.

[JanetteWebster in reply to Frodo]

Hi Frodo. Many thanks for your reply. I am pleased to say that it did last the 24hrs and today has completely disappeared. I have a hospital appointment tomorrow with General Medicine as I have only been recently diagnosed so will mention it to them.

After my first injection I had pain in my wrist but nothing like the pain on Monday night. It is so reassuring to hear from people like yourself that it is "one of those things". It's mind baffling to think that you can be in such extreme pain and then nothing.

[MariLiz]

Massage in some magnesium oil ( bought from health food shop) or soak the foot in a warm bowl of water in which you've dissolved some Epsom salts. The magnesium is then absorbed through the skin. It certainly has helped some of my foot pain, although I am waiting for a podiatry appointment to check for a mechanical issue in the sore foot.

[JanetteWebster in reply to MariLiz]

Hi Liz. I have read about Epsom salt and think that I may have to investigate this. Do you have a bath in it ? Is it easily purchased? I am suspecting that there is a specific safe amount to use?

[MariLiz in reply to JanetteWebster]

Hi Janette, yes I do use it for bathing. It's relatively easy to buy, but don't get it from a garden centre as that type is not suitable. Most pharmacies sell it, I bought a large tub from TKMaxx. I just put a handful in my bath water. It seems to help with muscle aches, cramps, and pain in the joints. Lots of athletes use it after a run, or competing in an event. The oil is quite good too, that comes in a spray, and you massage it in. The other thing that has helped my foot is arnica cream, again massaged into the painful area.

[JanetteWebster in reply to MariLiz]

Thanks Liz, that's great information. I shall pop along to the pharmacy today and look forward to a relaxing bath tonight :).

[fbirder in reply to MariLiz]

What's the difference between the stuff from the garden centre and that from the chemist? They're both going to be magnesium sulfate.

[MariLiz in reply to fbirder]

I think the garden centre type is not so pure, or clean. It's made for using in the soil after all. The active ingredient will be the same, but I've looked at it, and it's not something I would put in my bath water. A foot soak maybe?

[fbirder in reply to MariLiz]

Just seen the price for the stuff supposed to be used in the bath. At £8 for two kilos I suppose you'll not get it a lot cheaper at the garden centre.

[MariLiz in reply to fbirder]

I think it is cheaper, but doesn't look very white. At least the stuff intended for use in the bath looks clean.