Pain in wrist and arm while increasing B12

[Musicgirlie]

I just want to know if this has happened to others: I increased my hydroxo B12 shots to every day from every other day about 2 weeks ago and a few days ago I started having pain and swelling in my right elbow which then moved up to my shoulder and down to my wrist, quite painful. It came on suddenly. I can't tell if it's nerves coming back on line or muscle pain or what. I know that symptoms can increase in severity as we fill in the deficiency and just want to know if anyone else has experienced this. Puzzling.

[deniseinmilden]

It definitely shouldn't cause swelling and I am concerned that this needs urgent medical attention in case you have an infection in it or a blocked vein.

I get reactions to bites and stings like that and monitor them very carefully in case I need antibiotics.

Please get it checked ASAP. I hope you are better soon.

[Musicgirlie in reply to deniseinmilden]

After some research I think what may have happened is I did some light exercise on a kid's playground and may have twisted my wrist (the ulnar nerves) without realizing it and it caused swelling at the elbow and shoulder. It's much better this morning though still very sensitive. I just wanted to rule out the B12 link. Thank you for your help. I'm keeping an eye on it.

[Starfish123]

Are you also supplementing folate? If not the b12 can cause depletion of folate which could cause arm pains. I’m not an expert I’ve just come across this info after suffering with terrible arm pain whilst taking b12.

I hope it helps

[Musicgirlie in reply to Starfish123]

I usually would take 5 mg of folate daily (as told by my FB Pernicious Anemia group) but on here I was told that was too much so I cut back to 433 mcg daily. I will watch my wrist/elbow/shoulder and if it doesn't heal fully in the next few days I'll go see my doctor. Thank you for your help.

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi Musicgirlie. I agree with deniseinmilden . Wouldn't expect to see swelling of any joints due to the repair effect sometimes experienced with treatment for B12 deficiency. Or this type of localised pain / pain distribution.

And whilst folate deficiency or low folate levels can cause generalised pain (and other symptoms too), what you describe is not a typical presentation of that 😉.

Please get this checked out by your doctor 👍

[Musicgirlie in reply to Foggyme]

Yes, it appears it may have been due to some exercise I was doing that twisted my wrist and caused the inflammation in my elbow/shoulder. It's improved this morning and I'll keep an eye on it and if not better by tomorrow I'll go see my doctor. Thank you for your input...helpful!