Anyone gets sick from taking vitamins/minerals?

[Patient001]

Hello. I know many will find this question silly, but this is something I have observed for over 10 years now. Its almost like I'm allergic to vitamins. Whether from a supplement, or from fruits, the effect is the same. Anytime I eat fruit for a period of several days (any fresh fruit, no specific fruit), or if I take a vitamin supplement, I develop the following symptoms:

Extreme dizziness, digestion issues, sleep problems, goosebumps, burning in feet and hands, and notably a skin rash on both cheeks.

I say "notably" to the skin rash issue as I know many will quickly say it's an allergy. I have spoken to many doctors, and anytime you say "rash" they think "allergies". However, to most of the other symptoms, they tell me I'm either depressed or in a panic. I am not depressed or in any panic. And to the burning feet problem, I have been told by one doctor to use Vaporub, and my foot specialist told me to use Lydocaine cream. Neither does anything, Vaporub being the worst as it makes my feet cold and burning at the same time.

I have done tons of research on the internet to see if anybody else notices this horrible reaction to vitamins, but I'm the only one. I think the only one in the world. I've had blood tests done but everything is normal. Blood count, thyroid, cholesterol, etc. I have looked up "vitamin allergies" but that doesn't really exist. I strongly suspect its a kidney issue, but my blood test always show no kidney problems. The potassium, sodium, and everything else is normal. I don't expect anyone here to tell me what's wrong with me as I believe this is an illness that isn't recognized. I know this sounds like a joke, but if I stay away from vitamins, I start feeling much better. I always check the ingredients list on food to make sure it's not fortified, like cereals. I just want to know if anyone has this same problem, perhaps I can get some insight. Thanks.

[Nackapan]

So if your bloods normal do you need any vitamin supplements?

My daughter did fodmap as cant take vitamins without looking what's in them. She cant tolerate fructose and many other things. Took years to work out.

It's a digestive issue which gives her nausea and other symptoms like yours if she eats many things. Rashes have resembled butterfly lupus rashes.

She can have berries but not apples or bananas and many more things. No onions garlic diary .The list goes on. Our bodies are complex.

So it may be the same for you . A digestive issue ??

Just a thought.

She used fodmap an elimination process to narrowly avoid being tube fed.

Hope you can eat other things to compensate . Just avoid what makes you ill. T C

[fbirder in reply to Nackapan]

Yup, I thought it sounded more like a FODMAP issue, rather than a vitamin issue.

[Patient001 in reply to fbirder]

Thanks. I want to try this FODMAP special diet for some weeks to see what happens.

[fbirder in reply to Patient001]

For me it was fructose and fructans that cause gastric effects. Even small amounts of fructose are a problem.

[Patient001 in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks. Ironically, the reason why I took vitamins is because I told one of my many doctors my symptoms and he told me I needed vitamins. It wasn't based on the blood test which came back normal (and I paid $200 for), but rather a judgement of his. I went against my better instincts and accepted the philosophy that "doctor knows best", and took the supplements and injections. But sure enough everything got worst. I can avoid supplements and vitamin dense food, its just that its awkward that everybody else avoids sodium, fat, sugar, lactose, etc, except me, I avoid vitamins. On a side note, the vitamins do make my skin seem healthier and my fingernails are stronger, with all its horrible side effects.

Thanks for the info on FODMAP. I've never been on a diet (other than low vitamin diet), but its something I'll try if it helps me be healthy.

[contentedmum in reply to Patient001]

I’m currently on an autoimmune paleo diet and low histamine diet. Definitely feel some major improvements but I guess it will take more than 7 weeks of eating well to combat almost 50 years of eating not so great. 🙈

I agree with others who have suggested diet could be an issue so would be interesting to see how you do on FODMAP. I wonder whether the vitamins you have been taking are high quality? And whether the fillers and utter rubbish they fill their vits with are a possible problem for you? I can’t take folic acid but I can take methyl folate. It’s so hard to find someone who understands let alone someone who can figure out the problem. I eventually had to sack off my regular NHS gp’s and find someone who works in functional medicine. Just being heard and told it’s not all in my head or ‘normal for a woman of my age’ has been so uplifting for me. There are so many of us struggling and fighting with the people who are supposed to be there to help us.

I don’t blame my gp’s or the medical staff. A famousish British doc has said that after 7 years of medical school, half of what he learnt was obsolete by the time he graduated. And sadly many never keep up to date. He is now on a mission to re-educate doctors and other medical staff. Sadly his surgery is full! I’m currently keeping an open mind and trying everything. Definitely improved over those 7 weeks working with my FMGP. Good luck 😉

[Patient001 in reply to contentedmum]

Thanks. I don't know about the injections I got but it was a red liquid. I paid about $80 for it. I can't remember the vitamin pill brand but this was the only thing that was actually covered by insurance. I'm assuming these where high quality products as they where not affordable. Unfortunately, I wouldn't dare try to experiment to find out which, if any, is good for me. My symptoms are incredibly extreme. The sleep problems are the most unbelievable. I averaged about 1.5 hours of sleep per day for almost 8 months. I would close my eyes and would feel like I was spinning. And the extreme weakness in my legs and constantly burning feet (neuropathy). At one point I almost fell to the ground because of the weakness in my feet. The worst part is not knowing when it's going to end, and the fear that it might be permanent. Thank God it gradually went away (once I stopped the supplements, shots, and fruits). I was super happy that morning I woke up to finally realize I slept a full and continuos 7 hours of sleep, which is normal for me. Yet I tell this to my doctors and they believe its psychological. I don't drink any kind of alcohol, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I don't do anything bad yet this happens. It's incredible. Thanks.

[contentedmum in reply to Patient001]

B12 is a red liquid so it could be that? To get it at a beauty clinic in the UK it costs around £40-£50 per shot. The actual b12 is pennies (I’ve actually bought supplies to self inject and with all the needles etc it costs around £1.50 per shot). I think the payment is more around the nurse administering it maybe?

I mostly use Seeking Health and Thorne supplements as they are suggested to be of higher quality. Just struggling to get what I need here as constantly out of stock but I think the first is definitely US brand.

It’s a shame no one can figure out why you’re having such a bad reaction to them. Sadly if medical folk don’t have an answer then it’s clearly all in your head. I don’t believe that for a minute. Have you ever had genetic testing? And just interested in how long you have taken vitamins in one go? Surely someone will have experienced something similar. Good luck

[fbirder in reply to contentedmum]

There are no genetic tests that would show up such a problem.

[contentedmum in reply to fbirder]

That isn’t why I was asking. 🥰

[Patient001 in reply to contentedmum]

Thanks. I started in 2019. In December. I've could have had a better Christmas by ignoring my doctor. And I could have spent those $500 (aprox.) on myself on something fun, like a nice watch. I have not have any genetic tests. I'm a bit wary of spending more money on doctors from this point on. Doctor's are great with high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, etc. But when it comes to self described and abstract symptoms, they often can't help you even if they genuinely want to. I appreciate my various doctor's good intent, but good old fashion lifestyles are often better at least for me. I work at a grocery store and I have various customers who buy tons of vitamins every week and they are happy. One such customer buys tons of vitamin C. Tons. Every week. He told me he was shot in the head with a firearm many years ago and the bullet is still in his brain. His doctor told him to take tons of vitamin C to prevent an infection. I know it sounds like a joke, but trust me, this customer told me that. Thanks.

[contentedmum in reply to Patient001]

It sounds like you’ve spent a lot of money that you feel was fruitless in finding any help or reasons to how you feel. It’s a daunting place to be and sadly we can’t find the help we need.

Genetics is a whole other ballgame. It’s helped me in my journey for better health in understanding my methylation issues, understanding what I can/can’t absorb amongst other things. I agree with lifestyle too. Many gp’s don’t see any correlation between food we eat/lifestyle we live and how we are feeling.

Sadly the one size fits all way of thinking helps no one. We really need to be seen as individuals and we all have a different journey. I hope you get some support from this group. Generally everyone has been pretty great, empathetic, helpful and kind x

[Patient001 in reply to contentedmum]

Thanks. One of my doctors even told me to take Linden tea. I took that tea. It did not help my neuropathy or dizziness or anything else at all. For sure its a mystery and I've read on this forum of other people with chronic problems that are either attributed to "stress" or other subjective states of mind. A few decades ago ulcers where officially caused by stress. People with ulcers where urged to calm down and relax, and take things easy and stop panicking. Now most ulcers are caused by H. Pylori and treated with antibiotics. I also remember some years ago when my mother's doctor told her to stop eating eggs because her cholesterol was high. Now she has been told that eggs don't raise blood cholesterol. So I went online to research what country has the healthiest people. It varies by year but Spain consistently makes it to #1 or #2. That's right, Spain, not Japan...Spain..! Makes no sense. I've known a few people from Spain and they drink too much and start drinking too young, smoke, and eat a whole lot of pork and chorizo, ham, cheese, tapas, etc. So you are right, genetics must have something to do about it, because the people of Spain are fairly careless and it doesn't affect them. I'm super careful yet I am so sick. Thank you and God bless you.

[Bev11]

Hi, I have something very similar but unfortunately no answers to it. I was very ill 10 years ago & was eventually diagnosed with M.E (which I’m not convinced of & also B12 deficient). Every time I take vitamins or any other kind of medication I get severe dizziness for days & digestive issues/ I don’t absorb them even when I persevere. Doctors treat me like it’s all in my head but I know it isn’t. They usually dismiss me or give me a different brand to try which is always the same. I have also had a rash on my back for last 10 years but no idea if connected. I also can’t tolerate sugar of any kind.

I eventually started treatment at a private allergy clinic & it was great to finally find someone who understood & took me seriously. My Dr said that most allergies are caused by a build up of things, rather than just one thing (mostly chemicals with me). He gave me injections for my B12, Vit D & iron which we’re all extremely low & I’ve been fine with the injections. I was also going to start EPD injections (Enzyme Potentiated desensitisation) to try & help. Unfortunately the clinic closed through the Coronavirus lockdown & hasn’t reopened again yet.

I have always felt like I’m the only person in the world to feel like this, so I understand how you feel. The dizziness is such a truly horrible feeling. I’ve never had the burning feet or hands with it, but I think that can be one if the symptoms of B12 deficiency - have u had your B12 checked?

I’m following & hope someone else might offer more helpful advice but hope it helps to know you’re not the only one to feel like this.

[Patient001 in reply to Bev11]

Thanks for the reply. No, I did not have the B12 checked but my doctor recommended the B complex injections (which includes B12) because I told him I had extreme lack of energy and weakness, among other symptoms. Yet things got worst immediately the next day after the shot. I hoped I was just temporarily getting worse before eventually getting better. I continued the weekly injections and supplements as I trusted my doctor's 8 years of medical school more than my own instincts. But sadly, I was right and he was wrong. All those supplements did cause and exacerbate my symptoms, no matter how much faith I had in my doctor. I stopped taking everything in early 2019 and finally started feeling better in early 2020. It was a gradual recovery lasting over eight months. I checked with other doctors but they really just don't know what I have. I have been taking fiber supplements and I believe they help. I take psyllium husk. The reason I take fiber supplements is because I sometimes have speculated that I have some sort of kidney problem that doesn't reflect on the blood test and urine test, as I've had both test and both claim that I have healthy kidney. Fiber slows down the absorption of anything you eat. So I speculated that whatever is poisoning me needs to be blocked out some how. I can definitely tell you that since I have been taking fiber, my feet no longer burn, and I feel much better. If this is just coincidence I don't know. Maybe I just got better for some other reason during the time I was taking fiber, and I assume it was the fiber. I don't know so I can't recommend the fiber, and I would feel really bad if I recommend something that might make someone else worse. But I notice that the fiber is helpful for those two reasons, the burning feet and hands, and the residual dizziness that I had. Early humans consumed much more fiber that modern humans do. My legs do not have that extreme weakness that I had when I almost fell to the floor in a grocery store. I rarely feel the burning feet anymore. And the dizziness is down so much. Some days I feel no dizziness. For now I plan on staying on the fiber as it's not harmful long term, a least not that I'm aware of. This is what apparently has worked for me, apparently. I don't have any other recommendations as nothing else seems to work. I tried tons of exercise, massages, baths, probiotic, prebiotics, shiatsu chairs, distilled water, stretching exercise, music and relaxation, going to the beach, sleeping on the floor, walking for hours, bicycling for hours, walking barefoot, I have bought over 15 different shoes for my feet, over 6 insoles, one $400 custom insole from my foot doctor to help me with my feet, nothing helped any of my symptoms. The biggest disappointment was exercise. I had a lot of faith on exercise but it did not help, and actually wore me down.

So this has been my experience. Fiber is the only thing that appears to help me. I don't want to make any recommendations because what helps one person can harm another. Thanks you for you reply, I hope you find a solution for yourself and God bless you.

[helvella]

When people post about the feeling of burning, especially of feet, I quite often post this link.

It is getting on a bit but nonetheless it does give an overview of the causes of burning feet. And I have not seen a more recent article which I could use instead.

Burning feet syndrome

racgp.org.au/afp/200312/200...

[Patient001 in reply to helvella]

Thanks. I read the article. At least for me it's not a lack of vitamins. The other factors could play a role.

[cwill]

I have a whole host of weird symptoms mainly gut, snot and sleep related, with red cheeks on occasion. I have finally been diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Little help was available on the NHS until another consultant told me they were absolutely convinced it was the root cause of my other issues and told me to see just one specialist. The diagnostic criteria has recently changed so we no longer need to capture the elusive high tryptase that too many are fixated by. Each day I may react to anything and can get to an anaphylaxis-like reaction so it’s worth investigating.

My U.K. functional medicine doctor missed it completely together with a number of other clear diagnoses. It seems we need to be in front of the right doctors that hear us when we list symptoms.

[Patient001]

Thanks for the info.