charley horse/potassium?

[pslmt]

Hello, I have been having terrible calf cramps at night on occasion. I heard there is a link between using b12 and depletion of potassium. Anyone have evidence of this? Do you supplement? I heard potassium glucanate is best.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

the link is actually between potassium and the correction of macrocytic anaemia. The process that corrects the anaemia can result in depleted potassium levels.

[Av42 in reply to Gambit62]

And to add to this when I picked up last prescription for my injection pharmacy had included a leaflet saying that potassium levels can deplete after . I drink coconut water on day of injection and for a few days after now and used to get a lot of cramp and no longer suffer .

[pslmt in reply to Gambit62]

Yes, I since learned that making of new cells depletes potassium. But I have been self injecting for over a year. If we make new blood cells every 4 months, do you think this is an ongoing depletion of potassium?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to pslmt]

it shouldn't be - it isn't that you actually generate all the cells on a specific day 4 months apart- they are replaced as they die normally - its just that they tend to live for about 4 months before that but even if you made a lot of new red blood cells immediately after your loading shots they aren't all going to die on the same day ...

what is more likely is that the problem that is affecting your B12 absorption may also affect other vitamins and minerals so may be the case that you are more prone to a minor dietary deficiency - but you should be able to correct that by taking a little more potassium rich food. Orange juice is a good source and could also help with low stomach acidity.

[pslmt in reply to Gambit62]

Okay thank you so much! I will include OJ to my list.

[potter5]

Hi Pslmt, I have 2 b12 injections weekly for severe nerve damage. I don't take potassium supplements but have kept potassium levels up by eating potassium rich foods. I eat banana, kiwi fruit daily and avocado, sweet potato and other such foods. A few months ago when I was having excruciating leg cramps and spasms, I looked into magnesium supplements and bought magnesium maleate as it appeared to be less likely to cause diarrhoea. Although I still have lots of weird sensations in feet and legs due to b12 deficiency nerve damage, I have not had a full blown cramp since taking the magnesium. I take 2 capsules daily, one in morning and one evening. Worth looking into. Best wishes.

[pslmt in reply to potter5]

Thank you. I already take 400mg magnesium gluconate in morning and night. I eat a banana/day and I have started medjool dates and try to eat potatoes. I was going to try a postassium supplement but I know it can cause stomach irritation so I'm nervous to do that as I have a sensitive stomach.

[Marz]

How are your Ferritin levels ?