B12 and heart palpitations.

[chloe2124]

I am prone to ectopic beats which are essentially heart palpitations. Will the b12 injections make these worse?

[Jens100]

I suffer badly with palpitations, which frighten me I hate them! They disappeared after my loading doses but have returned, I use b12 spray at the minute just to keep them away 

I'm unsure if ectopic beats are the same as what I have but the b12 defenetly helped mine 

[Hidden in reply to Jens100]

I get them too. I am hoping when I start treatment they will go. They are frightening but have been assured they are nothing so try to ignore them. 

[chloe2124 in reply to Hidden]

Same with me, told they are harmless but doesn't make it any easier does it! They are terrifying!

[chloe2124 in reply to Jens100]

I think they will be what you are having so basically a thump in your chest now and again. They are horrible aren't they! Was just worried the jag might make them worse. I've not even been given the go ahead to have them as apparently my b12 being 214 is normal!

[Jens100 in reply to chloe2124]

Mine are a thump in my chest, they where nearly constant when I started loading doses my b12 was 150, they disappeared after my third jab I was gutted when they started again but think that's because I need my next jab but have to wait till the end of may, try some b12 spray or lozenges, have they checked for other vitamin problems? 

[Jay-46]

I had a stroke which the hospital said was due to rapid heart beat which was discovered after they did a 24 hour heart monitor brain scan etc. I take pills for this. Which I am now very sceptical about.  I now believe the cause of all of this was due to low B12. I have in the past years had to have treatment for low Ferratin  so I think there has to be a linc in my case. My last B12  test showed B12 was 298. I believe I am in the grey area. I suffered terribly with tiredness, sleeplessness, depression, warts, a verruca dizziness  now since being on B12 my warts and verruca have cleared I sleep like a baby no more depression this is after two months tablets B12  however the dizziness is still with me. I will return to docs for check up for this (wish me luck probably poo poo the idea that B12 has helped with what it has)  Too others out there who take Lanzoprazole. I had been on these tablets for over 10 years.. I am now  coping with the use of fennel tea and Ranatidine so off the others for a week now and coping doing well . (I believe  Lansoprazole are  bad news for B12)

[hunny59 in reply to Jay-46]

Hi Jay - you will also find that ranitidine (zantac) is also bad news as it's an H2 receptor antagonist, along with cimetidine (Tagamet).  I was on these and then the PPIs for best part of 25 years until I discovered my problem was low stomach acid, rather than high.

[Jay-46 in reply to hunny59]

Hi hunny59 Thank you for your reply, how do you deal with it now I'm desperate.

[hunny59 in reply to Jay-46]

Hi Jay - it took me a while to get my head around the fact that my symptoms (although almost identical to hyperacidity) were actually the food fermenting in my stomach.  I use a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water when I'm eating a protein rich meal which helps.  Sometimes I do forget and am reminded when I get the burn about 90 -120 minutes after eating so I have the ACV then and after about 5 minutes, the burning subsides.  It's almost counter-intuitive to chuck vinegar down your neck when you feel you're suffer heartburn.  I did do the bicarb test before coming off the tablets:

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

[Jay-46 in reply to hunny59]

Hi hunny59 Thank you for your helpful reply I'm just wondering if the hospital did any acid tests, they have had the camera down a few times I have a large hiatus hernia found I also had the heliocobactor (sp)  thing. I was antibiotics till they came out of my ears.

[hunny59 in reply to Jay-46]

Hi Jay - I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia in the late 80s which is why I was put on the medication in the first place.  Luckily, I was negative for H.Pylori when they finally tested me in the early 2000s.  Doctors don't seem to consider low acid in their diagnosis.

[Jay-46 in reply to hunny59]

Hi hunny59  Thank you for your help with this fingers crossed we get this sorted out its such a discomfort. I have gone onto lacto free milk too and try to use the nut butters. Maybe I should ask for some tests to see if I do have any allergies. 

[hunny59 in reply to Jay-46]

No worries.  You may want to think about taking some good quality probiotics as well to help repopulate your gut.  It's helped my symptoms too.

[Jay-46 in reply to hunny59]

hunny59 Thank you I will get some tomorrow  any brand or type would you recommend? 

[hunny59 in reply to Jay-46]

I take Prescript Assist which was a recommendation on Chris Kresser's site and it seems to be doing the trick for me. 

[Jay-46 in reply to hunny59]

Hi hunney59 sorry to be a pain... is it the soil based or broad spectrum or are they the same? I will go to Chris Kessles's site too thank you 

[hunny59 in reply to Jay-46]

Not a pain at all!  They're soil based broad spectrum, so cover both.  They're available on Amazon:

amazon.co.uk/Prescript-Assi...

 Hope this helps!

[Jay-46 in reply to hunny59]

hunny59 Thank you so much for your help 

[Masked in reply to Jay-46]

I took lansaprazole for years but stopped 3 months ago. Have not looked back.......no reflux of any type. I take a tablespoon of Organic Apple cider Vinegar daily and it has cleared my heartburn/reflux totally. I take the vinegar with organic virgin olive oil as dressing on my salad which I take every day bar maybe one day per week. I get the cider vinegar in the Health shop. Nuts called Organic raw-unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar made by Bragg. Check it out on the Internet, I promise, it works 100%. Good luck.

PS you can also take the vinegar with honey and water if you choose.

[Masked in reply to Masked]

Sorry about the predictive text mistake: not ‘Nuts called Organic....’ but ‘It’s called Organic .....’

[Withattitude]

You might want to try Epsom salts baths - 2cupfuls of Epsom salts in your bath and soak for 20 mins. This is to get your magnesium levels up, as low magnesium can cause heart palpitations. Epsom salt baths are a cheap, safe way of increasing magnesium in the body. Hope you feel better soon.

[Marz in reply to Withattitude]

... just to add -  Better You do a Magnesium Oil spray - for those who prefer to shower

[fbirder in reply to Withattitude]

I find this difficult to believe. Human skin has evolved to stop minerals from crossing the skin to get absorbed into the body. If this barrier didn't work then people swimming in the sea would soon die of hypernatraemia. 

However, any peer-reviewed published research of a well-designed study showing positive results would go a long way to convincing me that I'm wrong.

[Kayhsee in reply to fbirder]

epsomsaltcouncil.org/wp-con... This is the study that got me to try it and it got rid of my heart palpitations.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi chloe2124 ,

Do you know what range (from - to) was used to measure your B12 for it to be 214?

I'm not a medically qualified person but I would say that your b12 levels are low.

My test range is between 187pg/ml and 883pg/ml so if you are on the same scale you are definitely low,

Do you have any idea why your b12 is low? Do you know your Folate (B9) levels?

Are you vegan or vegetarian?

Have you had gastric surgery?

Do you take antacids?

Do you take proton pump inhibitors (for reflux)?

Are you diabetic and on Metformin?

These are just a few things that can affect absorption of B12 through the stomach.

Have you had dental treatment (or surgery) using nitrous oxide?

Do you take part in excessive exercise or extreme sports?

If you can answer yes to any of the above you may well be able to improve your levels yourself.

If you answer no to all the above then I suggest your doctor needs to investigate why you are on the bottom of the scale in case it's P.A. as I'm assuming you know what that is, your having come to this site.

Do you suffer any of the symptoms associated with B12 deficiency or P.A.?

Here is a checklist - not all may necessarily apply at the same time to all people.

1.1 General Symptoms

The following general symptoms are common in those with PA:

 The Strange Tiredness

 Fog days, where you have difficulty in thinking clearly

 Weakness

 Fatigue

 Upset stomach

 Abnormally rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) and/or chest pains

 Abnormal yellow colouration of the skin (jaundice)

 Heightened sensitivity to hearing, smell, and taste

 Vision distortion, e.g. seeing stars, or double vision

 Breathlessness

 Headache

 Cankers (ulcers) in the mouth

 Sleep disorders

 Intolerance to loud sounds, flashing lights

 Intolerance to crowded malls (needing personal space)

 Tinnitus – ringing in ears

1.2 Neurological Symptoms 

The neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency may include:

 Numbness and tingling of the arms and more commonly the legs

 Difficulty walking

 Loss of balance

 Hands feel gloved with loss of sensitivity

 Loss of vibration sense, having to look down to see where you are walking

 Unable to close your eyes and stand on one foot

 Night vision

 Memory loss

 Disorientation

 Dementia

 Extreme mood changes

 Short term memory loss

Some experience many of these symptoms and some none of them. It depends on how quickly the PA is treated and on how well managed it is.

1.3 Gastrointestinal Symptoms

The gastrointestinal symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency may include:

 A sore tongue

 Appetite loss

 Diarrhoea and/or constipation

 Stomach pain

This is not to worry you

as I've had P.A. for 45 years and I'm still "clivealive" at coming up to 75 next month.

I wish you well for the future

[ndodge in reply to clivealive]

Well done, Clivealive! Good complete list of symptoms and possible causes of low B12.

[chloe2124 in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clive, I take anti convulsant medication for epilepsy which having read up can result in not absorbing b12 and folate. I started with just numbness in my foot 3 weeks ago, she did blood tests and my b12 was 240 and folate 3.6. Dr started me on 5mg folate and last week I started getting massively fatigued, anxious, unsteady in feet and forgetful. She repeated tests and folate was 24 but b12 214. She's just saying that I've got a virus of some sort and no b12 issue

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to chloe2124]

Hi chloe2124  

Are you able to "beef" up your diet by eating more red meat, fish, poultry, eggs dairy produce, whilst at the same time eating plenty of leafy green vegetables for your folates?

This would be a natural way of elevating your b12 levels as long as you are able to absorb it through your stomach and your medication doesn't prevent it.

I hope you get over the "virus of some sort" quickly.

Take care now

[Hidden in reply to clivealive]

Great info Clive -  thanks. 

[deniseinmilden]

Hiya! 

I have had them for most of my 43 years, despite having had a heart op at 24 to improve things, until I had B12 injections!!!

They were so frequent they were part of my life so I can say they definitely weren't life threatening, but not great, non-the-non-the-less.  Several Dr's and cardiologists just dismissed it as "all in your head" "because you've had an op to stop it" until it also showed up post-op on ECG.  But then they just said "it was nothing to worry about"  and it was "because I was thinking about it,  I made it happen" and it "was just my mind remembering what it felt like" and -worse - "I was just saying it because I missed the attention I got for it".

What utter "round dangly things"!!!  It is shocking that someone genuine could be treated so badly.  Heaven help anyone with other disadvantages. 

Now, if I'm getting and metabolising my B12 OK then I don't get them or any of the other heart issues, including heart failure symptoms that I was struggling with.  If my B12 levels get out of kilter then they return with everything else.  

I think the Dr's were wrong for being ignorant but their arrogance and what amounts to mental abuse of me which undermined my confidence is something else!   Grrrr!  

Please get enough B12 and supporting supplements - it is one of your body's ways of saying it needs a vital resource that it can't live without. 

For more information you could look up my profile and see my post "My Experiences". 

[Frodo in reply to deniseinmilden]

Denise - Re 'it was "because I was thinking about it, I made it happen" and it "was just my mind remembering what it felt like" and -worse - "I was just saying it because I missed the attention I got for it".' - I believe this is a form of psychological abuse known as 'Gaslighting' ( "in which a victim is manipulated into doubting his or her own memory, perception and sanity" Wikipedia).

[deniseinmilden in reply to Frodo]

Exactly! 

If you Google "Recovering from gaslighting" it gives some good examples which I have found helpful. 

Cheers!  x 

[Dee215 in reply to Frodo]

I am getting the same treatment from my GP. Arrhythmia is a fairly new thing for me, I've had the odd bump, or palpitations, for years, but it's now constant, has been for 2 weeks. Don't even want to go to GP. I know they will make me cry. Again

[Frodo in reply to Dee215]

Change your GP?

Or take someone with you for support. Even if it isn't serious you need that reassurance. Ask for an ECG, or better still a 24 hour monitor. I think they have something that tests for atrial fibrillation as well.

If your symptoms get worse or you have other symptoms as well eg dizziness and fainting, get someone to take you to A&E.

[ndodge]

I had terrible heart palpitations-it felt as if my heart was skipping a beat, quite often. Very scary! Went to urgent care and my husband could see the skipped beats on the heart monitor! Turns out it was a potassium deficiency. This was years before I knew about B12 problems.

[Frodo]

Chloe, I've had palpitations, missed beats and heart racing for years, occurring episodically. This didn't get worse with B12, in fact there's been a definite improvement, although I still get them sometimes. 

But we are all different.

[Mavis15]

My palpitations have greatly improved since having vitamin B12 injections.

[Tocs]

Ectopics are extra beats of your heart and they are harmless.

[bjhealing51]

My palpitations have also improved since treatment but I had 3 episodes in January which were recorded on my Fitbit monitor

I read that magnesium deficiency can be a cause so started supplements 

These seem to have helped only had a couple of small episodes since. I mentioned it to my doctor and she said people who take long term ant acids can be deficient but I don't take them

An a&e doctor told me mine were due to an irritated vagus nerve and to cough when I had an episode or exhale through closed nostrils

They are scary when they happen I was sent home with Heart monitor from the hospital but never had an attack Sod's law 

[mountainice]

Hi

I had the same for a long while. I have PA and my doctor has allowed monthly injections the past 9 months. I was also deficient in Vitamin D - bordering severe -  and i was getting sharp pains in the heart area but these went once I got my D levels up. I still get 'thumps' but not as much as i did. Is it worth checking your Vitamin D too?

[catherinejordan]

I had them but stopped after starting b12 I get them when injection is due 

[Danslatete]

Odd question but do anyof you feel your heart getting back into rhythm. I get a feeling like almost sinking then b dump , be d dump b d d dump, then a big thump that I can feel up in my throat. 

I used to get racing heart and it drove me nuts because it makes you feel like you have run miles when you are just pootling around. I used to go to a gym that has a monitor on the machines and you need to use a certain speed on them to work but it kept stopping because my heart rate would be up at 220. I was very anaemic but didn't know that for a while. 

No one has ever said not to exercise whilst anaemic either. These days I struggle getting through work so my only exersice is walking the dog.

I also find myself kind of gasping mid sentence sometimes. 

I was refered to haematology who refused to see me till I have seen other specialities first, my gp tried to get me iron infusions locally but because I'm under 65 I have to go through general medicine and am now on a waiting list of about 24 weeks. 

I'm still taking iron 3 times a day to try raise the ferritin from 5, knowing my luck it will have risen just enough to not get treated! 

I got a warning in work last week due to time management, not being in right place at right time. 

Chin up tho. Still dropping pounds and dress sizes with zero effort. 

Back to neurology next month.

Sorry I hijacked your thread here! 

[lesbud1]

shouldn't do , made mine better

[th3joker]

My ectopics improved dramatically with B12 injections, I also supplement with magnesium when they are very bad and that also helps.