1. < Neuropathy

B-6 vitamin danger!

Posted by Lynsorensen @lynsorensen, Dec 11, 2017

With the assistance of a neurologist at Mayo Clinic, I have almost completely eliminated the uncontrolled muscle spasms now. First and foremost: beware of taking multi-vitamin capsules that have B6 listed. B-6 overdosage (which is contained in every multivitamin I found in stores and on the internet) can cause loss of muscle control and spasms in some people. So can gluten found in many foods so now I am also gluten free. I now work out with a personal trainer 3 days a week and do water aerobics another 2 days. Got off gabapentin and also clonazepam. Using CBD oil capsules each morning (no more opioids or chemicals) and using a CBD topical ointment to rub on my leg muscles each night. He says I don't need him anymore! And I don't. No more shaking or muscle cramps or pain. Still a little numbness but that is receding also.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 21, 2019
In reply to @pfbacon "Thank you, John. I took Human Biology, Anatomy, and Nutrition but that was 10 years ago;..." + (show)
@pfbacon

Thank you, John. I took Human Biology, Anatomy, and Nutrition but that was 10 years ago; new research may have yielded new results that I am unaware of. At that time, I learned that the B vitamins are water soluble, whatever our body doesn't use gets excreted in the urine harmlessly; B Vitamins do not build up in the body, as do oil soluble vitamins, A, D, E.

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One exception is B6.

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Parus | @parus | Jan 22, 2019

@johnbishop Around 6 months ago my bloodwork did show my B12 levels to be high. Primary instructed me to cease taking B12. I have done so. Scheduled back for the 6 month senior thing in February. I was not in agreement as it is water soluble. I said nothing at the time and have been compliant even with more pins and needles and fatigue. Other B levels were fine. Guess the primary has a reason. B levels were checked because of fatigue and tingling. Plan to discuss this with the primary or rather the lid of a laptop. Grrrr. See if this one yells at me and slaps the paper on exam table emphasizing doctors are never wrong. Maybe it is because I am too sheepish.

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friendz4 | @friendz4 | Jan 22, 2019
In reply to @moodyfamily6 "I've been dealing with B6 toxicity for 6 months now. Levels were at 190 for a..." + (show)
@moodyfamily6

I've been dealing with B6 toxicity for 6 months now. Levels were at 190 for a range of 20-125. I was taking a 100 mg supplement for about 2 months when I started noticing tingling in my upper back. I had my B6 levels tested right after I learned about B6 toxicity. The levels came down very quickly but I was left with the same tingling in back and fingers, muscle twitches, joint pain (mostly in fingers), and brain fog with other random symptoms that come and go rather quickly. This has been a nightmare! Has anyone had similar symptoms and improved or found relief? Doctors have not been much help as they don't seem to educated about the effects of B6. I've read most everything I can find on the internet, but stumbled across this thread today. Not even sure if the discussion is still going or if someone can point me to another discussion?

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Thanks for your post I just joined and figureing out how to move around the site,I have neuropathy also and been bouncing around for 3 years from dr to dr every blood test and invasive procedures, my B6 is 250.0 with a reference range 2.1-21.7 so yes that is very bad

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1 reply
srens65 | @srens65 | Jan 28, 2019

I had an issue with B-6 as well. I was taking a supplement on the recommendation of a trainer and the amount of B-6 in it was much higher than listed. Even after I got off it, it took months for me to start feeling better. B-6 can be a real problem

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 28, 2019

Hello @srens65, welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience with B6. It sounds like you are doing OK now?

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moodyfamily6 | @moodyfamily6 | Jan 28, 2019
In reply to @srens65 "I had an issue with B-6 as well. I was taking a supplement on the recommendation..." + (show)
@srens65

I had an issue with B-6 as well. I was taking a supplement on the recommendation of a trainer and the amount of B-6 in it was much higher than listed. Even after I got off it, it took months for me to start feeling better. B-6 can be a real problem

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Can I ask what were your problematic symptoms before you started feeling better?

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1 reply
srens65 | @srens65 | Jan 28, 2019
In reply to @moodyfamily6 "Can I ask what were your problematic symptoms before you started feeling better?" + (show)
@moodyfamily6

Can I ask what were your problematic symptoms before you started feeling better?

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Pain in my left leg, from my hamstring to my toes, dizziness, severe headaches and numbness in my fingers. After my neurologist saw my elevated B-6 level I had a nerve biopsy that showed the Neuropathy. My B-6 levels are better but still have an unexplained higher B-6 level. I still have some times, like just last week, where the Neuropathy just knocks me for a loop.

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cokie63 | @cokie63 | Jan 28, 2019
In reply to @friendz4 "Thanks for your post I just joined and figureing out how to move around the site,I..." + (show)
@friendz4

Thanks for your post I just joined and figureing out how to move around the site,I have neuropathy also and been bouncing around for 3 years from dr to dr every blood test and invasive procedures, my B6 is 250.0 with a reference range 2.1-21.7 so yes that is very bad

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I just joined today. I’m really confused why I have 106.7 B6 and 1303 B12 levels when I only took the supplements for 3 weeks at 16.7 mg of B6. I have horrible peripheral neuropathy head to toe. Mine started 4 days after my flu vaccine in November 2018. I have seen 3 foot doctors, a neurologist, neurosurgeon, 2 eye doctors because my eye balls burn too, ER 3 times for unexplained pain, cardiologist, MD and naturopath. I’ve had almost every test and extensive blood work. The neurologist told me my symptoms were from the supplement but I find that hard to believe because of the timing. My naturopath is checking my homocysteine and folate to see if I’m actually B deficient. The few things I’ve found that have helped me are compression socks/clothes; cayenne and crushed red pepper does something positive so I can feel instead of just burn(serotonin?) sleep also helps and lastly, I’ve been having night sweats for over a month and each time I do, the next day I feel like I’m getting a bit better. I’m waiting for a spinal tap. I’ve been home bound for 3 months and I walked my dog today. Each step felt like someone playing a wild electrical guitar inside my body. Gabapentin helps for sleep. Can’t believe the horrible sensations yet lack of feeling yet terrible muscle pain with this.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 29, 2019
In reply to @cokie63 "I just joined today. I’m really confused why I have 106.7 B6 and 1303 B12 levels..." + (show)
@cokie63

I just joined today. I’m really confused why I have 106.7 B6 and 1303 B12 levels when I only took the supplements for 3 weeks at 16.7 mg of B6. I have horrible peripheral neuropathy head to toe. Mine started 4 days after my flu vaccine in November 2018. I have seen 3 foot doctors, a neurologist, neurosurgeon, 2 eye doctors because my eye balls burn too, ER 3 times for unexplained pain, cardiologist, MD and naturopath. I’ve had almost every test and extensive blood work. The neurologist told me my symptoms were from the supplement but I find that hard to believe because of the timing. My naturopath is checking my homocysteine and folate to see if I’m actually B deficient. The few things I’ve found that have helped me are compression socks/clothes; cayenne and crushed red pepper does something positive so I can feel instead of just burn(serotonin?) sleep also helps and lastly, I’ve been having night sweats for over a month and each time I do, the next day I feel like I’m getting a bit better. I’m waiting for a spinal tap. I’ve been home bound for 3 months and I walked my dog today. Each step felt like someone playing a wild electrical guitar inside my body. Gabapentin helps for sleep. Can’t believe the horrible sensations yet lack of feeling yet terrible muscle pain with this.

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Hi @cokie63, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I have no medical training or background but from all that I have read about vitamin B6 it's processed different by your body. High levels can be toxic and cause neuropathy. B12 is different. The body gets rid of what it doesn't need. You are good being your own advocate and learning as much as you can about your condition. I can believe it's from taking a supplement. Have you asked your neurologist/doctor how long it takes for the body to get rid of the excess B6?

Elevated B6 levels and peripheral neuropathies.
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18754531

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2 replies
lynnejoy | @lynnejoy | Jan 29, 2019

Did you take CBD alongside the Gabapentin and gradually get off it ? I’m on pregabalin and just staring on CBD so I would be interested to know please .

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