HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

B vitamins--a question

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/13/2018 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
I've read several times that the B vitamins are good for fibromyalgia, nerve pain, etc.. They always sound highly recommended!

But I've come across some info from several sources lately that have me rethinking the B vitamins, especially B-6. For things like neuropathy, it said too high a level can actually make the neuropathy worse!
I did a little 'digging,' and when I looked up the daily recommended amounts on various B vitamin products, it shocked me. Some were up to 800% of the daily recommended amount! smhair

Can this be true? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the reading?

Can anyone enlighten me on this? Ideally, food sources for vitamins are the best, but for people like me with poor absorption, supplements sometimes help.
Posted 6/13/2018 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Luvs, before adding vitamin supplements, it's best to have your PCP do some labs checking your vitamin levels. Too much in some instances can have devastating effects. Keep in mind when reading a lot of the stuff on the web, the only people benefiting are the people selling the products. I am not trying to sound negative, however, there is much truth in it.

My husband is diabetic with terrible neuropathy in his hands & feet. His B12 is always somewhat low, so his dr has him take a low dose of OTC B12.

Take care.
Posted 6/13/2018 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Susie: Yes, that's so important--to have your PCP do labs checking vitamin levels. My doctor is big on that, and one wonders if too high a level of not only B vitamins but others, might be a factor in some health issues.

One thing I found is that not all vitamins are created equally. smile I got into reading daily percentage values, and wow, did they vary! You're right, and there is certainly no shortage of "snake oil salesmen" on the web and elsewhere. We've been conditioned to believe "more is better," when quite often, the opposite is true.

What confuses me, though, is when they give daily requirement amounts that show well over 100%. As I said above, some are up to 800%. That struck me as so odd--who would want 800% of anything? Am I misunderstanding what they're really saying?
Posted 6/13/2018 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Luvs, when I look things up I stick with places like the Mayo Clinic & John Hopkins as an example. Like you, why would I want to supplement something that is over the average daily requirement, especially something as high as 800%. That makes no sense to me either. I don't always buy into the old theory that more is better, unless it's a homemade banana milkshake, lol.
Posted 6/13/2018 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have to take iron supplements due to anemia. They are quite expensive but are easy on the digestive system. Each tablet is 361% of the daily requirement and my doctor has me taking two a day...722% of the daily requirement. And even so, I’m still slightly anemic due to Crohn’s disease.

I take 5,500 IU of vitamin D3 a day. That is equivalent to about 700% of the daily requirement. This keeps me at around 50 with my blood work and I feel good.

BUT my doctor takes a lot of blood work and checks all of this out. He follows me closely. And, as I’ve said on the forum before, I don’t take anything without passing it by my doctor first. Everyone needs to do this.

Hope this helps you, Luvs.

Sherrine
Posted 6/13/2018 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Susie: Those are both great resources, and reliable.

The homemade banana milkshake sounds yummy--can I add a little chocolate? (yes, in that context, more is better!) smile

Sherrine: Thanks for shining light on that--it was baffling to me, but in that context, yes, it makes sense. I was just so shocked to see such a high percentage of a daily requirement, but yes, there can be reasons.

So important to remember to check things out with a doctor. I take a long sheet of questions with me whenever I go. I probably drive him crazy, but he's been so patient with me, and is willing to sit and discuss whatever issues or questions I have.

Thank you both, ladies--very enlightening!
Posted 6/20/2018 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Luvz,

I know, this vitamin stuff can drive you nuts - and there are so many different amounts in different combinations, sometimes hard to get what you want without another completely irrelevant (for you) substance thrown in.

about 6 months ago, I mentioned to my PCP that I get lots of weak, shaky spells and she had my Vitamin B levels tested. I was on the very low end of normal for B12, so she had me start taking 1000 mg a day, and whaddya know, I very rarely get that awful feeling anymore. Amazing when something works the way it's supposed to, huh?

I hope you find what helps you!

Debbie
Posted 6/21/2018 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie: So glad the B12 is helping you! Yayyyy! Yes, it seems amazing when something does work the way it's supposed to, for sure.

I think it's the B6 that has caused concern for some people. I know little about it, but evidently, too much can cause more problems, and some of the amounts in B6 supplements are fairly high. But, as Sherrine said above, there can be reasons for some of those higher levels needed, too.

Hope you're doing well, Debbie. I know you've dealt with a lot in the past few weeks. Thinking of you and hope things are looking up. smile
Posted 6/25/2018 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Luvz. I'm definitely improving since my surgery....on the right leg, anyway.

I hope you're doing well too.

Debbie
Posted 7/2/2018 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I just read this post. I've tried over the years to use a B complex. The first time it made me (and my son who was using it), very nervous. But it was too high a dose of all the B's. So then I went to a lower dosage, and I felt like it made my nervous system symptoms worse. I saw a neurologist for my PN, and even though my B vitamin levels were normal, he said that many people with PN benefit by taking supplements.....that sometimes it can even reverse the PN. But I have chosen to stop taking it because it seems to make it worse. I suppose everyone is different in their reaction to it though.
Posted 7/2/2018 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie: Glad things are better and hope your left leg is now improving, too.

Cathy: As I read labels, I'm still somewhat surprised by the high dosages in some vitamins. I've become very cautious, especially seeing that a multi-vitamin seems to "cover" most if not all of the B vitamins (at least the one I take seems to). Personally, I don't add any other B supplements because of that. I suppose, though, that depending on what I'm eating, I do take in some additional more natural B vitamins.

It sure would be great to reverse PN. I've read much online about proposed "solutions" to PN, and they're all over the map. Some sound as if they may make a difference while others appear to be money-making scams. Hopefully in the not-too-distant future, they'll come up with something that really does help everyone with PN.

Hope you are doing well, too! Would you mind sharing what you do for your PN? No problem if you're not comfortable posting that here. Thanks.
Posted 7/3/2018 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
My mom tested for too much B6. The Dr. told her to take less although was't really concerned. She was taking a multi and a supp. but it really depends on the person. I'm not sure why one person's levels can go up and other's now or go down. Or, even fluctuate. Dr. told me to try and cut back on sodium. I did a really good job of it and the next time it was too low.

So, I guess I'm agreeing with everyone else that it's a good idea to keep an eye on them every now and then. Like Sherrine's Dr. mine checks it often and I go more often than I'd like.
Posted 7/9/2018 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
B12 shots are better for most ppl,so give it a try.
Posted 7/9/2018 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Lendi and cilly. Good suggestions from you both! smile
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply