A Reaction to Folic Acid.

[Nytsom]

Patient heal thyself ? I should know better.

I'm having B12 Injections of PA vitB Deficiency (third one tomorrow) and as many of us do; I sought some advise on the : Pernicious Anaemia Web Sites. My blood tests showed LOW Folate and Low Ferritin; so the advise from almost everyone was : You need a Folic Acid Supplement of 5mg. So I got a valupak 400mcg folic acid supplement from the Chemist's store. Would need to take 12 of them to acquire 5mg.. I took just 3, tablets = just over 1mg, Within 20 minutes of taking them I had an allergic reaction; chest tight and painful; skin itching and then I noticed the huge red rash developing on my face, arms; chest and back. large, red raised rash - inflamed and really itchy.

My Folate was 6.4..Ug/L before I began having my B12 injections.

I'm posting this to warn people of how we can sometimes make mistakes when trying to treat ourselves. I've never had an allergic reaction to anything ; but this was not a pleasant reaction to low dose of folic acid.

Be careful.

[Clutter]

Nytsom, the reaction may have been to the folic acid or to one of the fillers in the tablets. Some people prefer methylfolate to folic acid. It is available in spray and tablet form.

[Nytsom in reply to Clutter]

Thanks for the reply Clutter,

I think that may be the case; possibly a coating on the folic acid tablet. never ever had a reaction to any form of medication throughout my life.

I've read on other sites about Methyfolate. But after the reaction yesterday to the folic acid, I'm a wee bit reluctant to try any other form of supplement.

I may just carry on with B12 booster injections; and consider supplements after the 6, initial injections.

[Clutter in reply to Nytsom]

Nytsom, you may want to take advice from the PAS forum. B12 and folate are synergistic and you may get more out of your B12 injections if you also correct folate deficiency. Click on My Communities and Select +Browse Communities and type PAS into the search box.

[greygoose]

To be fair, a doctor could have made exactly the same mistake! They know nothing about vitamins. Don't be too hard on yourself.

[Nytsom in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Grey Goose,

Just had my third B12 Hydoxocobalamin injection this morning.

At the moment I'm having problems when walking any distance, the soles of my feet are buzzing when I walk; and my hip - knee and ankle joints are swollen and stiff. I'm hoping the other 3, remaining injections will ease these symptoms; Painful to walk at present. Have been told it's the nerve endings that have been damaged. Maybe I competed in too may Marathons and Triathlons in the past; seems I'm suffering from all the training and fitness of years gone bye? I was hoping to return to some running - cycling and swimming in the not too distant future. I live in hope.

[greygoose in reply to Nytsom]

I have the same problem and I've never run a Marathon in my life! lol I've always had problems with running because I always have the feeling that I'm going to fall flat on my face! Neuropathy from an early age. I think I've always been B12 deficient.

How often do you have these injections? Maybe you ought to supplement in between.

And, of course, if you aren't optimally treated for your hypo, then that isn't going to help anything. Don't forget that any form of exercise uses up your T3. So Don't try going back to it until you have enough T3 in your system.

[Nytsom in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for the reply,

I'm in the process of having the 6, VitB Injections. I've just had my third injection this morning; and will be getting another 3, injections next week; That is the loading dose for Pernicious anaemia; there after the surgery has suggested I have the injections every 10, weeks for the rest of my life.

I certainly won't be doing any exercise ( I cannot) I'm having problems just walking.

[greygoose in reply to Nytsom]

I hope they keep up the testing, then, to make sure you're getting enough! Every ten weeks does sound rather a long time between injections.

[Nytsom in reply to greygoose]

Most people have them every three months; I'm lucky to go strait to a 10, week programme.