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Aching/painful joints - could this be b12 deficiency

vikki24 profile image
7 Replies

For the past week I've suffered with aching/painful joints, mainly ankles, knees, hips & soles of feet. I can't describe it but it's very uncomfortable. Painkillers don't help. It comes & goes in how bad it can be.

I've had loading dose of b12 & after a couple of pointless appointments with the GP they are giving me 3 monthly doses. The next one is due early August.

I can't think of what could be causing it other than the b12 deficiency. Any idea if it could be that or something else?

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vikki24
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7 Replies
Statesideheather profile image
Statesideheather

I had pain all over with low B12. Aching hips. My left foot hurt..I have no pains at all since compensating for deficiency. So id say that, yes, joint pains and all over pains could be due to B12 deficiency.

But the "pernicious" aspect held true with me. I did not suddenly have pain or symptoms . They crept in. Until I was sure I was dying but at the same time, attributed all those pains and weird things to getting older.

If you have sudden, unexplained pains, it's worth getting a check up. 😀 Hopefully, B12 treatment corrects it all though!

deniseinmilden profile image
deniseinmilden in reply to Statesideheather

What a lovely reply!

If you want to try to get more frequent jabs through your Dr - and you should be able to get them every 2 months under the BNF recommendations according to NICE guidelines - there is lots of information in Sleepybunny's replies. You can find this by going to her profile by double clicking on her name below and looking under the heading "replies".

The only thing I can add is maybe get your folate levels tested as this happens to me if I'm short of methylfolate. You could try looking up dietary sources of folate (B9) that you'd like and eating lots more of these and see if it helps.

Vitamin D (which should be taken as D3 with K2 unless you are on anticoagulants) is the other thing that immediately suggests itself to me.

After that you should consider Magnesium and then maybe iron or potassium.

Deficiency problems due to malabsorption often go together.

If none of these help, please ask again - there are always other things to consider.

Statesideheather profile image
Statesideheather in reply to deniseinmilden

Marymary7 profile image
Marymary7

Often goes hand in hand with Thyroid problems. Read up or ask this question on sister site HealthUnlocked Thyroid Uk .

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support

Aching hip/ knee/ankle joints like your bones are too heavy, like 'flu, stiff and burning feet, sudden sharp shooting pains from feet upward, hips feeling 'locked' (rubber band) when trying to walk.... all of these are indicators of B12 deficiency. They could also be folate/ferritin/vitamin D deficiency indicators.

Or all of the above ! Quite hard to untangle what is what when all are below range/ very low range (watch out : these might be written off as "normal: no action" !) and all improvements occur in conjunction. Worth having all these tested and monitored along with thyroid test. Post results if you aren't sure. Don't forget to mask personal details if scanning: your's and GP's/ laboratory but show ranges and units of measurement if typing in on post .

It is quite likely that you need injections more frequently that 3 months, so start recording for putting forward a case for that: list all symptoms- every day, record which ones you are getting, and how bad. GP will then be able to see frequency and severity and any patterns forming. It could help. I still do this, just in case !

JanieHall profile image
JanieHall

I had the same experience as Statesideheather. I have PA, my mom, her mom, and her moms mom all had it. At age 42, and mostly fit, I couldn't walk a quarter mile without my hip and knee joints burning like I had injured them, along with shortness of breath. I wasn't going to settle on this being an 'old age' issue so I pursued an answer and relief. It took me 4 years to get diagnosed but now I inject once every other week and am symptom free. As you will learn here, you have to actively voice your ailments and challenge your GP to find the right answers for you. Take care.

vikki24 profile image
vikki24

Thanks for all the replies. I've tried to make an appointment with my GP but full today. All of a sudden in agony again & then it disappears. So weird but trying to get on with it.

Folate tested & told it was fine. Going to ask about taking supplements to see if that will help

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