Hello, I am new here and hope I am asking my question in the right place. I am 51, have been taking B complex as well as a multivitamin ever since I was diagnosed with severe hypothyroidism (tsh over 25 with very high auto antibodies against thyroid) two years ago, (also menopause complete in early 40's, but I naively thought that was normal so never saw a DR.). For a few years I have had pain in my toes and cramping in my bottoms of my feet and calves as well as burning itching severely that came and went, but in recent months seems to have come back permanently. I wear socks to bed I am always cold unless I am out for my daily walk. I do yoga and the cramps are worse while exercising. I can never point my toes without painful spasms. My heels burn and are painful at night against the mattress and the weight of blankets on my feet is annoying to put it nicely. Sometimes I take two Benedryl to get to sleep. In the mornings the itching-burning subsides a bit, and it is more tingly than painful. It gets worse after a long walk. When the warm water hits my feet in the shower, I have wanted to scrub the skin off the tops of my toes with a stiff brush, and have to refrain from being too hard on my skin. My Mom has been an insulin dependant type 1 diabetic for 50 years since I was a baby, and has some neuropathy, so I sort of knew what it was I was feeling- but I have no diabetes symptoms and my fasting glucose is always in the 80's. I have symptoms of carpel tunnel numbness, tingling in my left hand when my elbow is bent and it cramps up when I knit. Also, sometimes when I bow my head, I get a shock and numbness in my hip and pubic area. I have some joint issues from years of athletics which are osteo wear and tear, not inflamed. Also have been told I have mild gastritis after an endoscopy for reflux and hiatial hernia issues, so not sure about absorption issues. I am not a vegetarian, but eat loads of good, clean organic, high fiber vegetables low or fat free organic dairy, fish and meat and no bread, pasta or processed foods. I do eat oats, but not wheat. Sensitivities to sulphites in wine, but can have an occasional 5 oz glass, msg, nuts when in excess, sensitive to iodine in shellfish and wakame seaweed. also bothered by whole wheat, tomato sauces and spices- all the things I love! I used to get hives and angioedemas in my face feet and wrists constantly- the hives would last weeks before fading. now the hives are minimal to gone, though It may be because I am careful what I eat, yet sometimes I can reintroduce a food that used to cause trouble like an apple, peach or cherries. I lost a bit of weight since my thyroid was treated, and am at a normal bmi, so reflux is now more minimal and tolerable, but before thyroid diagnosis, I had been self prescribing daily prilosec for three years until my dentist warned me of the potential consequences re calcium non-absorption. I went cold turkey off it and the rebound was horrendous for a few weeks. It really made me clean up my diet. I think PPI's allow you the comfort to overeat. I never will take them again, though I understand the need for my Dad to use them for his Barretts.
My Gastro has prescribed pepcid to take as needed. He wanted me to try it daily, and after developing a non cardiac left chest pain (Saw a cardiologist for stress echo and passed with flying colors), which was distinctly different from burning substernum reflux pain, I was told to double up the dose of pepcid. That lasted less than two weeks, but I got constantly loose stools and advised to quit it to only take one pill when needed. This is why I think I have a possible absorption issue. Otherwise, would the Multi-vit and b-complex have relieved peripheral neuropathy if it is caused by a deficiency? I also started taking 2000iu of D3 since this summer. Okay, I am sorry to go so long, but here is the gist of my concern: My PCP has been thinking my chest pain could be intercostal neuralgia and now has ordered for me to get a B12 and D test when I get my CBC and thyroid panel done in January. I have consistantly been at the upper end of euthroid on Levothyroxine 112mcg one hour pre food ingestion, but euthroid nevertheless, so she doesn't think the issues are thyroid related. QUESTION: should I quit taking my oral vitamins until my test is done? I read somewhere that taking B-complex supplements can mask anemia until it causes neuropathy because it contains folate and I was wondering if this could throw off my numbers and cause confusion to my Dr.? I really want this solved. Part of me says keep taking them because if I am then low B12, it will prove that I don't absorb it from the pills or food. I have been enjoying reading this website today and feel I have found a place where people really understand such issues far more than I do and try to help in a kind and welcoming way. I genuinely appreciate any advice!