1. < Neuropathy

Allergy to B vitamins

Posted by robindancer5678 @robindancer5678, Aug 23, 2023

Hi all. I appear to be allergic to many vitamins, which all happened after I had COVID-19 in 2021. I think COVID fried my body's computer motherboard - new PN, new asthma, new pulmonary nodule, new GI issues... It seems I am particularly sensitive to the B vitamins - I itch terribly when I take Riboflavin or any B vitamin - even when it's from vitamin enriched foods like Cheerios! And calcium too, and iron. Ugh. Maybe it's the additives? Does anyone know of any hypoallergenic vitamins? I am scheduled to see an allergist at the end of September.

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moylandavis | @moylandavis | Sep 15 1:11pm

12ish years ago, I had a C-Diff infection…a few years before a ruptured appendix. Both took 6 to 8 weeks to recover. Since then, my immune system has been in overdrive. After several years with lots of symptoms, I came across a FB page on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Here is a bit of info, much more on the website…
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/what-is-mast-cell-activation-syndrome
What Is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?
Mast cell activation syndrome, also called MCAS or mast cell activation disorder, is a condition that causes mast cells to release high amounts of chemicals into your body. This chemical release causes you to have many symptoms.
Mast cells are blood cells that are part of your immune system. They help you fight infections but are also involved in allergic reactions. Mast cells live longer than normal cells, growing in your bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and airways.
When you come into contact with an allergen or substance that causes allergies, mast cells release chemicals called mediators that cause your body’s reaction to the substance. Some chemicals are released right away, and some take longer.
In a healthy person, these chemicals help protect and heal. In someone with mast cell activation syndrome, they cause distressing symptoms.
Sometimes mast cells can be activated or triggered by things like:
• Infections
• Medications
• Insect venom
• Reptile venom
• Fragrances
• Stress
• Exercise
• Food
People who have mast cell activation syndrome might have a lot of allergy symptoms and lots of episodes of anaphylaxis without a clear cause
During my medical workup, I discovered that I have the gene mutation called MTHFR.(very common)
https://www.medicinenet.com/what_does_the_mthfr_gene_mutation_cause/article.htm
I have trouble tolerating vitamins and no longer take multivitamins…my PCP has tested my vitamin levels and recommended specific types of vitamins to address deficiencies.

REPLY
1 reply
robindancer5678 | @robindancer5678 | Sep 15 4:40pm
In reply to @moylandavis "12ish years ago, I had a C-Diff infection…a few years before a ruptured appendix. Both took..." + (show)
@moylandavis

12ish years ago, I had a C-Diff infection…a few years before a ruptured appendix. Both took 6 to 8 weeks to recover. Since then, my immune system has been in overdrive. After several years with lots of symptoms, I came across a FB page on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Here is a bit of info, much more on the website…
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/what-is-mast-cell-activation-syndrome
What Is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?
Mast cell activation syndrome, also called MCAS or mast cell activation disorder, is a condition that causes mast cells to release high amounts of chemicals into your body. This chemical release causes you to have many symptoms.
Mast cells are blood cells that are part of your immune system. They help you fight infections but are also involved in allergic reactions. Mast cells live longer than normal cells, growing in your bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and airways.
When you come into contact with an allergen or substance that causes allergies, mast cells release chemicals called mediators that cause your body’s reaction to the substance. Some chemicals are released right away, and some take longer.
In a healthy person, these chemicals help protect and heal. In someone with mast cell activation syndrome, they cause distressing symptoms.
Sometimes mast cells can be activated or triggered by things like:
• Infections
• Medications
• Insect venom
• Reptile venom
• Fragrances
• Stress
• Exercise
• Food
People who have mast cell activation syndrome might have a lot of allergy symptoms and lots of episodes of anaphylaxis without a clear cause
During my medical workup, I discovered that I have the gene mutation called MTHFR.(very common)
https://www.medicinenet.com/what_does_the_mthfr_gene_mutation_cause/article.htm
I have trouble tolerating vitamins and no longer take multivitamins…my PCP has tested my vitamin levels and recommended specific types of vitamins to address deficiencies.

Jump to this post

This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you so much. What kind of specialist should I work with to see if this has been causing my symptoms? Interestingly I recently had a sinus infection which was treated with antibiotics and my dizziness and other symptoms went haywire. It took several weeks to get back to baseline.

REPLY
1 reply
moylandavis | @moylandavis | Sep 15 4:51pm
In reply to @robindancer5678 "This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you so much. What kind of specialist should I work..." + (show)
@robindancer5678

This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you so much. What kind of specialist should I work with to see if this has been causing my symptoms? Interestingly I recently had a sinus infection which was treated with antibiotics and my dizziness and other symptoms went haywire. It took several weeks to get back to baseline.

Jump to this post

I found this guide (see link below) and filled in as much as I could...I then took it to my Primary Doc who ran as many tests as she could. I then saw a Immunologist who ran more from this list. I did see a gastroenterologist but she was not comfortable treating me after finding elevated Mast Cell numbers in my gut.
https://www.mastcellaction.org/assets/_/2021/09/13/b475ed18-33af-4a98-afec-189d2795291d/mcas-primer-for-the-gastroenterologist.pdf?v=1

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