Can B12 Injections Give Muscle Twitches?

[Canadian77]

Good day Good people of this forum.

I recently started more aggressive B12 injections, 1cc every other day.

I have been having small muscle twitches for last 2+ years but noticed then being worse since I started injecting more B12

Any thoughts?

[Technoid]

I had them a lot especially in early stages of treatment but settled down (mostly) with time. Can also be caused by electrolyte disturbances so there are other possibilities.

[Canadian77 in reply to Technoid]

Thanks, Did you have them before starting B12?

[Technoid in reply to Canadian77]

Not to anything like the extent to which they happened once I begun treatment. If theres a lot of nerve damage this is probably somewhat to be expected.

[Canadian77 in reply to Technoid]

How long did it take to get better?

What was your diagnosis?

[Technoid in reply to Canadian77]

self-diagnosis 😁 dietary B12 deficiency. Felt the effects of treatment immediately, but for the worse rather than better. Once I started treatment, 3 months unable to work, about 5 months to see a really substantial turnaround, a year before I was able to stop injections and go back completely to oral and could say recovery was more or less 99%.

[Cb1963]

I get muscle twitching before I'm due my injection, and eyelids start to flicker, occasionally I get a deep rumbling sensation in my chest, I can't do without my 3 monthly injection, hope you continue to feel the results of getting a regular " top up" with the injections

[Canadian77 in reply to Cb1963]

Thank you. What was your diagnosis?

You do 3 injections per month?

[Cb1963 in reply to Canadian77]

It was trial and error I suppose, I'm unsure why I got diagnosed with B12 deficiency, I started to feel weak and the muscles would twitch and had a blood test, ever since this I've received the injections every 3 months, I had the loading doses to start off with, and I now get the injections at my doctors, I once had an occasion where I felt breathless and struggled walking, I had another blood test saying I required folic acid tablets to help support the B12 deficiency,I've had numerous problems with my stomach and absorbing the vitamin wasn't going into my system with food etc, also I've had numerous general anaesthetics which can cause absorption issues, the gas used affects the way the stomach works, nitrous oxide I believe is the gas used in the older style anaesthetics, so also possibly age, or even long term use of omeprazole proton pump inhibitors, used for reflux acid, these can put people in a higher risk level.

[Nackapan in reply to Cb1963]

I used to get the eyelid flicker before other things set in .Had no idea related at that time.

[Jillymo]

It is quite common to experience the jumping and twitching of muscles I had it before and after starting injections. I found it to be worse at night when resting, cramp was another misery I suffered. My deficiency is an absorbtion problem so I introduced magnesium, potassium and the occasional electrolyte tablet dissolved in water, I am prescribed folic acid.

I rember it feeling like crickets jumping about under the skin. I still get it occasionally but it's much better than what it was. I'm on 2 monthly injections but inject my self inbetween my precribed dose daily else my symptoms return!

[Canadian77 in reply to Jillymo]

Hi. Thank you for reply

When did yours start?

[Wwwdot]

Hi Canadian77

At the start of treatment (loading doses) and for about 3 months after muscle twitches began - as others have said this was a good thing, and indicated an awakening response to treatment.

I now inject 4 times a day and have made incredible progress since a year ago. However, several times over the last few of weeks I have been woken by muscle twitching in my feet and lower legs. First couple of times I tried to ignore it and go back to sleep and I noticed the twitching resolved after my morning jab.

Subsequently, when the twitching woke me up I injected and within an hour the twitching stopped and I was able to go back to sleep.

I inject sub-cutaneous into my tum so I know it’s nothing to do with the injection site. I think it’s your body indicating that it’s healing and needs the B12.

All the best with your recovery.

🤗🤗🤗

[Marymary7]

I’ve had twitches in my leg muscles after a long walk. They were even very visible! I didn’t realise any connection to a lack of B12 and I’m a veggie so perhaps that’s it in my case. Good luck😎

[Sleepybunny]

I had a lot of twitching muscles when treatment started.

Has your doctor checked your potassium levels?

[Canadian77 in reply to Sleepybunny]

Hello, did yours subside?

No, I have not had them checked recently,

[Sleepybunny in reply to Canadian77]

Yes, all the twitching stopped. If it comes back, I take it as a sign that I need more B12.

[Canadian77 in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thank you, that is great to hear.

How long after regular B12 injections did they stop?

[Sleepybunny in reply to Canadian77]

I was left untreated for years and it took many weeks even months of regular injections for me to start seeing improvements. Responses to treatment can vary a lot.

Some forum members report they see improvements very quickly.