Has anybody prior to a Functional B12 deficiency or PA experienced muscle ache in the quads and calves shortly after eating ?

[Gillybean1]

And general feeling that your legs are going to give way?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated,

Every best wish, G

[Narwhal10]

Yes Gillybean1,

Many of us have reported lower limb problems. Having coordination, walking, balance, muscle strength and people sitting on pavements/sidewalks before they fall down. People cling to bus stops. I find parks pretty useful for just nose diving straight onto the grass but I do remember to tuck and roll.

Never associated it to eating but then my gut issues are mine as complicated by refractory Coeliac Disease. This image is apt. Pace your energy and tune in a bit more to your body, so you know that it does tell you well before the ‘I am going to collapse’ mode.

Best wishes

Comparing B12D to Multiple Sclerosis.

[Baggy8 in reply to Narwhal10]

In my case definitely only one side of my body affected...

[Narwhal10 in reply to Baggy8]

Sorry to learn Baggy8. Any thoughts as to why that would be ??

[Baggy8 in reply to Narwhal10]

Oh! I'm now absolutely fine thankyou. Thanks to the B12 injections. Yes, the one sided symptoms seemed to justify medics dismissing my symptoms, which nearly cost me my use of my legs when they refused to believe I was suffering a cauda equina. Luckily a MRI proved them wrong!

[Narwhal10 in reply to Baggy8]

Good to read you are fine now. Hopefully with the correct frequency of treatment Gillybean1 will be too.

[Myoldcat in reply to Baggy8]

Baggy 8, my leg symptoms are definitely worse on the left side. To the point where GP and physio though it was due to left sided L4/5 spinal nerve impingement as shown on an MRI a couple of years ago. When the pains worsened last Autumn and started to affect the right side too, I thought the spinal situation had deteriorated so had a second MRI in November. In the meantime I was given the B12 deficiency diagnosis which explained things. Especially as the MRI results I eventually received last week showed the affected spinal nerve had rerouted itself and was now less compressed! 🙄

[Baggy8 in reply to Myoldcat]

I'm just not sure the old chestnut that if it's B12 it will be symmetrical has yet been binned 😏

[Myoldcat in reply to Baggy8]

Agreed. Symptoms are so variable! And meant to say in reply to your original post that as digestion uses SO much energy, it seems reasonable that there could be a spike in symptoms after eating as the body draws on B12 reserves. My stabby legs are always worst in the evening, which is when I normally eat my main meal. Hmm, maybe a change of routine is called for...🤔

[Baggy8 in reply to Myoldcat]

I know we're all so different, but if I don't take my magnesium supplements at night, the cramping will go on for hours...

[Gillybean1 in reply to Narwhal10]

Thank you Narwhal10 for taking the time to reply. Its a minefield trying to keep all the vital Vits and Mins in optimum levels and maintain good HCL too.

Every best wish to you , G

[Myoldcat]

I have lots of lower leg symptoms, the worst being sudden stabbing pains in my shin bones, bad enough to make me unable to walk for a few moments. Bad enough that all I can do is mutter/shriek ow ow ow until it goes away, depending on where I am. I've had to forewarn the dentist and acupuncturist in case of sudden pain and spasms. Fortunately the cramping and spasms are gradually improving 2 months into twice weekly injections. Bone pain is a bit more stubborn.

[Narwhal10 in reply to Myoldcat]

Myoldcat,

I am so sorry to read. I was reading your old posts. I do hope you are taking a multivitamin/mineral. Plus, Gillybean1 is too. Many of us have low stomach acid (hypochlorida) so we are deficient in other essential nutrients. Cramp and spasms can also be due to magnesium, potassium, calcium.

However, you know your own body best and what works for one does not necessarily for another.

Hope cramps/spasms get better soon.

[Myoldcat in reply to Narwhal10]

Thank you for your concern Narwhal10. I saw a consultant in Cambridge privately, as although my GP has been very thorough - and kept me on twice weekly injections while all tests and referrals have been happening - I felt that we were reaching the end of the road. All tests showing normal, negative, etc. except B12, so I was waiting for the 'every 3 months' conversation any day. We had it once already and I countered with the NICE guidelines for neurological symptoms, but apparently I'm the only person in the surgery who's ever had such frequent injections! Now self injecting every 3 days (well have braved it twice so far!) To be fair it's subcutaneous so less painful than muscular. Just have to take a deep breath before the stabbing bit! And I know it will get easier. Plus I travel, so can be away for 2/3 weeks at a time and couldn't afford to miss all those doses at this stage. The consultant prescribed folic acid, iron and Vitamin D, and I'm also taking magnesium threonate for migraine and fuzzy brain - plus a medicinal banana every day 🍌. I told the GP I'd be self injecting when I forwarded the consultant's letter, not had a reply yet but I feel I should do my small bit to raise awareness. Also asked if he would prescribe the B12 - cheeky but worth a try! Symptoms are very slooooowly improving, cramping has almost disappeared so I can feel things are going the right way. And I am immeasurably grateful to you and all in this group, without whom I would have been stumbling in the dark and believing my gp...

[Myoldcat in reply to Narwhal10]

And when I have the brain bandwidth my next task is tackling the stomach issues - I do suspect low acid and possible atrophic gastritis, although no diagnosis of auto immune PA. The journey continues...