Muscle cramps

[Coonass1]

Does anyone get muscle cramps in their calf muscles and feet. I have a peripheral neuropathy from my b12 deficiency. The peripheral neuropathy is receding but still get muscle cramps. It has been 6 months since I started treatment. I started with injections and now I switched over to oral b12 1000. Feeling better but these cramps are pretty frequent.

[Nackapan]

Have you had your iron and ferritin checked? Or pottassium.

[fbirder]

Why the switch to oral B12? Are you sure it's actually getting inside you?

[BruKing]

Have you tried a tonic water containing quinine. I suffer from leg cramp and find that keeps them at bay. A banana a few times a week for potassium might help too

[Coonass1]

I feel like the oral b12 is working. I think I had a really bad case of gastritis. it has been almost a month since my last injection. still have good days and bad days. today has been pretty rough. lots of really weird symptoms. leg cramps, mild headache and heavy legs.

[deniseinmilden in reply to Coonass1]

This could be caused by low potassium and/or magnesium.

You may benefit from taking a broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement plus extra folate, potassium, magnesium and maybe iron and vitamin D, ideally from your diet.

[Emmers5]

Two years of treatment and I still get leg and foot cramps, but they are becoming less frequent and less severe and no more hand cramps. Patience I guess...

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I'm concerned that you are on oral B12.

Did your GP change your treatment to oral tablets?

If the cause of your B12 deficiency is an absorption problem in gut eg PA (Pernicious Anaemia), Coeliac disease, H Pylori infection or other condition affecting gut then oral B12 may not be enough as only a very small amount will get into the blood by passive absorption.

See blog posts by Martyn Hooper (chair of PAS) below about this issue.

martynhooper.com/2016/08/02...

martynhooper.com/2017/03/22...

Link about writing letters to GP if GP wants to change to oral tablets

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

Most forum members with absorption issues report that injections give best results although there are a few who manage with high strength oral tablets or sublingual lozenges or oral sprays.

In UK, dietary B12 deficiency is sometimes treated with low dose oral cyanocobalamin tablets but severe dietary B12 deficiency should be treated with injections.

I am not medically trained.

[Brookey]

Hello Coonass1, I have suffered with calf muscle cramps for years, I was prescribed a very low dose of a drug used to treat Parkinson's. This helps immensely, but for the second time now, I think the dose needs increasing, but I never found out what the cause was.

I hope your not suffering too much as is quite unpleasant.

[baboigeorge83]

Hi everyone ! Muscle cramp, Plantar fasciitis, Vertigo, etc. are lifestyle causes with age ! As a (70)Yrs old, suffers mildly with these symptoms and also, a diabetic type11 - Exercise, food and medication are my best source for recovery and started on Cyanocobalamin injection every 3 months - Shall report back in six months.......

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to baboigeorge83]

baboigeorge83, whilst the problems you list may sometimes be down to aging, they are also all symptoms of numerous conditions - including diabetes, B12 deficiency, folate deficiency and thyroid problems.

[baboigeorge83 in reply to Gambit62]

\\o// THANK YOU, Gambit62

Definitely worth keeping an eye on all you mentioned - rgds.

[LQinn]

I get cramps in my calves hands and toes very painful

[Xeniav]

Yes, I had severe muscle cramps in feet and calves. It started after I switched off IM injections and went on sublingual. My B12 blood levels got sky high. I found out that B12 can be in your blood but not be bioavailable to your brain. Back on shots and cramps have stopped!

[bquoss]

Definitely a symptom of nerve damage. Before I was diagnosed, I could barely walk. It took a very long time for the damage to reverse. Now I walk daily. Keep going.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

I used to get more cramps in my calves in the time between starting treatment and getting my B12 levels where they should be.

I presume that you had thyroid function tests at the time when the B12 deficiency started. There is a very high chance - about 40% of developing hashimotos if you have PA so it is something that is worth considering.

I also had huge problems with stiffness and pain in the ankles when I started walking after sitting for a while - this went when I started supplementing with methylfolate rather than just folic acid but it doesn't sound like the problem you are describing.

Please note that the treatment for PA/B12 absorption problems varies a lot from country to country. In the UK the use of high dose oral isn't a licensed treatment. Studies imply that it can work for some people but it doesn't work for everyone as a treatment method so please do keep a diary of symptoms.

[Siobhan1965]

Me! Usually in my calves and toes just as I’m dropping off to sleep,

Happens if I leave it too long in between B12 injections. SI twice weekly. Have a magnesium spray that I use when it starts. Lifts it right away.

Prob a combination of low magnesium and low B12.