Spasms of Trunk Muscles

[gnnmi]

I have been self-injecting for about two years now with no particular result in regard to my neuropathy, which has spread from my legs and feet to my trunk. I've mentioned this nerve pain to several doctors with various reactions but none of them seemed to have much of a response. My neurologist told me there was no way to test for such nerve involvement and that I should stay active. That was it. She also told me to inject less often as my B12 measured off the scale once I started injections. I changed from about once a week to once every two or three months. No improvement either way.

About three weeks ago, along with the nerve pain in the ribcage muscles, I began having frequent muscle spasms in the trunk when I would cough, twist or bend over. Sometimes it would be one or two muscles and other times it would be a wide bank of cramp around my midsection going down into my hips. My doctor was out of town so I saw his assistant, who referred me to another neurology clinic. They called to say they had gone over my records and could not meet my needs. I have no idea what that means. I called to ask but could not get past the recording on the switchboard.

Meanwhile the spasms have subsided greatly, however the muscles have been poised to cramp and a few times have gone into spasm for a few seconds and then self-corrected. The feeling is very disconcerting.

Yesterday I gave myself another B12 shot (the last one was six weeks ago) and took 800 mcg. methylfolate along with one potassium pill. The foot cramps that wake me up every morning did not happen this morning, and I was active all day without one ribcage spasm. The feeling of relief is indescribable.

I'm not sure whether to attribute this sudden relief to the B12 or the other supplements I took. I've read here that it's dangerous to take potassium so I don't want to overdo that. I usually take 200 mcg. methylfolate every night. If the spasms began in the trunk long after starting injections, would that rule out B12 as being related?

Any ideas on how to figure this out? Thank you very much.

G

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi gnnmi have you been supplementing with folic acid?

Replacing B12 will lead to a huge increase in the production of blood cells and platelets (which occurs in the bone marrow) and can lead to rapid depletion of folate and iron stores; this can then limit the expected recovery of Hb. Both iron and folate may be needed.

There is a complex interaction between folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency of one may be "masked" by excess of another so the three must always be in balance.

Symptoms of a folate deficiency can include:

symptoms related to anaemia

reduced sense of taste

diarrhoea

numbness and tingling in the feet and hands

muscle weakness

depression

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

[deniseinmilden]

I was going to suggest another jab, plus folate and potassium and then I carried on reading and discovered you did, to good effect!

I'd get the same response as you did so I feel it probably is the right thing.

I wonder if you might benefit from a multivitamin and mineral supplement and maybe a bit more magnesium and iron too?

You could break up a potassium tablet and take a bit at a time.

I suggest you look at the Wikipedia pages for deficiency and overdose of all the things to give you a better understanding and confidence.

Good luck and ask again if you need more answers.

[gnnmi in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thank you, will don