Chest pain

[Annab124]

Hi I have recently started taking b12 injections an I’m suffering with heart palpitations and chest pain . I am also getting short of breath too! The doctors are blaming it on anxiety but I’m scared it’s something serious

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Annab124 slight heart palpitations are not unknown after having B12 injections as I know I have them for a while afterward and breathlessness is one of the many symptoms of B12 deficiency for which you are being treated.

If you doctor has checked you heart and found everything to be O.K then try not to worry about it as stress and anxiety only makes things worse.

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

I wish you well.

[deniseinmilden]

You often need a range of supporting supplements to make the B12 work properly and if any of these get in short supply you can get the reaction you are having.

Usually taking a broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement plus extra folate, potassium, magnesium and iron will help and get things back on track.

It's hard to say how much you'll need because everyone is different but if you Google these you'll be able to see the symptoms of deficiency and excess and see what sources of each you will like to eat and drink. If you are very low it is possible to take supplements too.

[star-me-kitten]

I was diagnosed with PA in 2011 and have 12 weekly (not often enough) injections. I have been having palpitations and shortness of breath for over a year. I Finally went to docs as they were getting worse. 2 heart traces (showed irregular and tachycardia ) done and lots of blood tests. I now have been referred to a cardiologist. My latest full blood work showed to areas of abnormal results, Haematocrit, and red blood cell distribution width. Both of these can be related to B12 deficiency but when I questioned this, my doc flippantly said, "your blood work is fine" My advice is to go back (maybe see a different doc as I will be) and ask for more tests. Best of luck.

[linkerror]

I was diagnosed with B12 def in Jan 18. It was borderline at 206 but I was extrememly tired and had burning sensation in my left hand, shoulder line and back. I was shit scared and took it as Heart issue. Then my family Dr (We have this concept here in India, your primary Dr) asked me to get tested for B12. He then started me on a course of B12 injections.

In about 2 weeks, my burning sensation went away but I started having chest pain. It was exactly under my left nipple and at times I felt as if somebody is cutting me across my chest. I was scared and went for ECG and 2D echo. Everything was normal. I even had my chest CT scan done to rule out any pathology in chest but fortunately all reports were perfectly normal. I went into depression because of this which again was in a way due to B12 def.

So it took almost 5 months (Mid May 18) for my chest pain to go away. Now I seldom get chest pains. But these 5 months were enough to me put me inot depression and anxiety.

Sharing this experience since you might have something similar. Best is rule out cardiac issues by going in for relates tests. I used to Google on chest pain and this made me worse since I then started doubting my Dr's diagnosis. He has 40 years of practice and has seen thousands of patients so I should have trusted him. Google search is boon but at the same time its bane as well. Eventually every symptom takes you to either Heart issue or Cancer.

[Annab124 in reply to linkerror]

Thank you very much for ur reply! My problem is I keep looking st things online that are making me feel worse . Like for example over the past couple of nights I’ve woke up with a numb pinky finger on the right side an I worry it’s to do with all these symptoms but it may just been frim where I’ve been sleepin on it

[linkerror in reply to Annab124]

2 fingers on each of my hands used to go numb at around 3-4Am every night. This is another classic symptom of B12D. After the injections it started to improve and eventually stopped in 2-3 months.

Searching through Google convinced me that I have every type of Cancer out there !!!

Be patient, B12D is not easy to fix. Its takes its own sweet time but be sure to get injections/tabs. Fortunately here in India, you dont need much to convince your Dr to get you injections. The B12 tabs are available over the counter without prescription.

[Hidden]

Hi Annab124

I am B12 deficient. For years after being diagnosed I continued to suffer with terrible palpitations which were really frightening and draining (up to 80 episodes in a day) after some time I was eventually referred to a cardiologist. They informed me it was caffeine, so I immediately cut it as far as possible from my diet. Whilst things did improve there were still too many occurrences for it to be that alone.

I compiled a list of symptoms (of which there were many, which all pointed toward a Thyroid problem) and was referred to an Endocrinologist, who didn't do any tests. Looked at all my previous blood tests and asked what iron tablets I was on? "None" he was shocked and said several of my blood tests indicated low and very low Ferritin. He booked me in for an iron infusion there and then.

I rarely have any palpitations now and many of my other symptoms have improved.

Please ask about your Ferritin

Good luck