Arm,chest, and upper back muscle tightness. Spastic muscles

[Ctadds1]

Does anyone else experience random muscle tightness that is hard to get rid of. My arms and upper back get very tense often times mid day or at night. It’s very hard to get my muscles to relax. Is this a B12 thing?

[Nackapan]

I think it must be linked I get very achey

Back of neck locks at times.

I have a continuous tightness in my head espousing above my ears .

Also down my spine to the small of my back.

A new since b12 deficiency.

I the past I've ached from Standing ovec a babys incubator for hours on end .

Nothing compared to this though.

I ached just ffom picking a few plums and cutting them up to stew . Minutes not hours.

I ached with the menopause a bit.

Nothing comparable though.

Is it not enough o2 getting to our muscles

I'd love to know too

[Ctadds1 in reply to Nackapan]

I agree, I think it’s my muscles that are lacking oxygen maybe.

[babs67 in reply to Nackapan]

I take Floradix magnesium drink for muscle cramps and aching bones works wonders for me

[Nackapan in reply to babs67]

Thanks for that tip. Not heard of that

[deniseinmilden]

Have you had your magnesium levels checked? And potassium and iron too?

(If not, this might not happen for a few weeks as the UK can't get phlebotomy tubes so they are only doing the most essential testing but I hope you can get some answers before too long).

They are all needed in the right amounts for good muscle function and, with folate, for efficient B12 metabolism. As you and Nackapan say, this metabolism is needed for good oxygen transport and transfer, as well as nerve function, etc, making them all essential.

Low magnesium tends to stop your muscles relaxing and low potassium tends to make them cramp, whilst iron is specifically involved with the operation of the muscles of your thorax (upper body, rib cage).

In the absence of test results it is not advisable to supplement as too much can be as bad as too little, but you can safely try eating foods that are rich in these and see if it helps.

It's best to do an online search of each once to see what good sources you will like best but things like beef and lamb are a good source of all, plus fish, nuts and some fruits and vegetables.

If I'm short of magnesium I get really bad muscle spasms in my back and if I get iron anaemic I find breathing difficult. Low potassium tends to affect my hands and feet more - and causes most people's leg cramps - but we are all different so don't rule it out.

[Nackapan in reply to deniseinmilden]

That's interesting thankyou.I get thre same symptoms if short of iron New to me.

potassium.

I used to get alot of cramps in the past when well !

I've not considered magnesium for a while.

I think my multivit will have it in.

Also I think the ones aimed fir 50+ age have more magnesium but not in excessive levels.

I seem to go through waves of feeling as though i have flu with a 'jarred ' body too.

Sometimes but not always ache terribly before a b12 injection .

I've also trued relaxing Epsom salt baths and neck stretching exercises.

Lots of crunching there

'Food for thought'

I eat alot of avocados and vegetables from the allotment .

Perhaps need more cashews and seeds .

I do add pulses to meat dishes now .

Used too that when short if money.

But I think a healthy thing to do.

Balancing act as usual.

I once just ate and did eat well.

A minefield isn't it .

Very disappointing when so much thought can go into it and you still feel rubbish.

.

[deniseinmilden in reply to Nackapan]

As per usual, I totally agree with you! It's good to be understood, thank you!

Imagine a world where you can get up and do things and eat food and worry about the things around you and what's going on in life, rather than trying to calculate every bodily input and output, knowing that if you don't you'll certainly be beggared - and you probably will be even if you do!!

Hey ho! At least we live in an age with the technology to know we're not alone. I can't imagine (and don't want to remember) what it's like being shut in the worlds we live in, with only healthier people around us who are unable to understand.

I hope you have a good day!

[Hidden in reply to deniseinmilden]

To be able to get up without having to say ouch or resorting to painkillers would be heaven sent 🤪

Having been having shoulder arm problems for a while.. now had a top molar removed last week now have bruised face, thank god for face masks at the moment as no doubt someone is likely to make accusations.

😳

Anyway I have read that vitamin d can aid in dental recovery, SO I am giving that ago and if this helps with my arms and shoulders I will let you know.

[deniseinmilden in reply to Hidden]

Very interesting: yes please to your feedback! 👍

[Hidden in reply to deniseinmilden]

Sorry to say it didn't work and stopped that after three days. As my shoulder is very painful going down to my elbow (feels like tennis elbow) I researched this and it advise extra Vitamin A.So lots of butternut squash, liver pate, sweet potato and things are improving especially tightness across shoulders. Who knows it could be the high vit A.

[deniseinmilden in reply to Hidden]

Cor, now that is interesting!

I know there's something in my multivitamin and mineral supplement that is essential, that I'm not getting from my other sources but I don't know what it is.

I doubt it's vitamin A as I can see very well in the dark (well, compared to the light, anyway 😁😁) but it's all worth looking into!

Thank you for getting back to me! 😎👍

[Hidden in reply to deniseinmilden]

Vitamins dont agree with me, I dont know why !So I have to experiment with different foods.

Luckily I like butternut squash.

[deniseinmilden in reply to Hidden]

You really can't beat food as a source of nutrition if you can get enough that way and everyone should make it their aim in the first instance.

I wish there was more positive nutrition training for kids, right from their first class at school.

[Babooboo in reply to Hidden]

I had all that stiffness with pain. Referred to rheumatologist, put me on steroids, magic but since dropp dose from 30 to 20mg stiffness in hand coming back. I complained about weakness and shaking she prescribed 5mg folic acid, next day no pain, no arthritis ??? Couldn't believe it. I had high levels of inflammation CRP down 79 to 9 now . But my ferritin is too high yet I'm anemic. Just learnt that low oxygen to cells can rais inflammation levels and cause the autoimmune to attack them, in this cocktail of imbalances wonder if the folic acid is all I needed to address low red blood cells and to deliver oxygen. Does any one have answers? Going to book blood test now, hope to bypass rheumatologist as the meds are now getting scary. Methotrexate, Alendronic acid, omprazole which could be blocking vitamin absorbsion. Looking back 2020 I had gynaecological removal of polyp, had very thick lining, could be why was so anemic which triggered everything's that followed?Pirot detective to solve this.

[Ctadds1 in reply to deniseinmilden]

I was low magnesium and iron but have been supplementing and levels are now good. I eat a banana, dried apricots, orange juice, and nuts daily for potassium. I know lots of b12 can deplete potassium. Any suggesting how I can get more in my diet?? I know it’s dangerous to supplement

[deniseinmilden in reply to Ctadds1]

If you know (from blood test results) you need more potassium beyond what you are getting from your diet (all excellent sources: well done) you can substitute normal table salt which is 100% sodium chloride for LoSalt (now stocked by Sainsbury's) which is 66% potassium chloride and 34% sodium chloride.

I know you are sensible and so aren't likely to overdo it.

If you are able to take a broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement then you will get a percentage of your daily requirements from that which should help too.

For the record, B12 doesn't deplete potassium, or anything, per se, it's just that the repair of cells that is enabled once it is supplied again after damage due to deficiency uses up all sorts of resources as the building blocks for new cell walls and components.

A huge range of vitamins and minerals is required in the metabolism process which uses B12 and so if it is allowed to work again once B12 is plentifully supplied, it's like taking the brakes off and everything going into overdrive!

While there is damage in the body which requires repair - which as we know can go on for years - then additional resources will be required for the repairs. This is usually added to by the person feeling better and therefore wanting to do more - which also uses up resources in the metabolism process for the release of energy.

[Suzibelle]

Yes, my right upper back is almost continuously tense and quite painful and sometimes gets pins and needles as well. Lately the tension and pain seems to be spreading out as well. Been to physios, chiros, massage therapists etc, none of whom can do much for it (although they've succeeded with other issues). It's a bit of a relief to know it's not just me. Wish we knew what the story was!

[Babooboo in reply to Suzibelle]

Polymyalgia rheumatic is what I was diagnosed with but I'm doubting that now. Looking to up my red blood cells which are very low get oxygen to cells and reduce the inflammation thats causing all the pain and stiffness.

[pitney]

top of shoulders and my neck lock up a lot

[Yoyogirl123]

I second the magnesium. I have a genetic magnesium deficiency disorder and my main symptoms is muscle aches/feeling weak/spasms, plus fatigue, almost identical to low B12 so it’s tricky!

I read somewhere that a good chunk of the population are magnesium deficient, the soil is depleted of mag so not as much in our food these days.

I’d suggesr dietary supplementation as much as possible, as mag in oral tablet form will give you diahorroea in anything more than a smallish quantity.

[Babooboo in reply to Yoyogirl123]

Yes I read this so am growing my own veg but been following proper composting and good soil care to best developed all the healthy bacteria for veg growing.

[ForViolet]

Just want to say thank you for bringing up Magnesium. In checking my bottles, I see I've cut way back on my dosing, inadvertently. In changing brands, I've been getting less than I'd planned.

[B12life]

very much so. I had stiffness in the Pectorals, shoulders and asymmetrically on the right side. tingling and numbness in the right foot. This went way after doing 1/2 dose daily injections for 2-3 months. I also had whole body aches to the core so much i had to pace. Again, resolved. I'm not 100% but able to function and the stiffness has gone away. I have not supplemented with anything else thus b12 really was the only thing involved. In my case magnesium, K (potassium) were normal. It really was the b12 in my case. Although we can always benefit from magnesium, but if you are low on b12 doing frequent injections helped me.

[Ctadds1]

Thank you for the replies!!! I was low magnesium and lower standard range for iron. I no supplement with both and levels have risen. Luckily neither give me stomach issues. Certain types of magnesium are easier on the stomach than others. I have not had potassium checked in awhile. I try to eat a banana, dried apricots, and nuts everyday. Any other foods with a lot of potassium I should be eating?

[Nackapan in reply to Ctadds1]

Sweet potsyues ,avocado dried fruit. I think quite hard on s goid diet not to get enough