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!

• Vitamins, Nutrients, Herbs, and Supplements:
  • http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum49.html

• Autoimmune Diseases:
  • http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum44.html

• Peripheral Neuropathy:
  • http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum20.html

Thanks for the links, Abbie, and for your lovely greeting. I will enjoy getting better acquainted with the different parts of the site to see what I can learn from all of you. I appreciate all the good will and will be glad to meet others who can share their experiences and knowledge. Thanks again!

So happy that you found our NT home!! Nice to have you with us!

I wish I could answer your concerns, but I'm not very knowledgable on vitamins.

I do, however, know some of what you are feeling with your peripheral neuropathy, so can give you a and hope that helps a tiny little bit. I have MS and am starting to have quite a lot of numbness in my feet and my fingers.

My husband has peripheral neuropathy pretty bad as a result of chemotherapy.

So, while I am glad you have found us, I am sorry for the reason you are seeking out some answers. I do hope you can find some things from your doctors that will help soon.

Please stay with us and join in conversations. I have gotten so much wonderful support here and I know you will too!

Nancy,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

Look likes Abbie has given you some links to get started. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

My hypothyroidism caused substantial foot pain and other symptoms as well as carpal tunnel.

Low thyroid leads to edema and compression of nerves where ligaments hold joints together...ankle and wrist typically.
Even when normalized, my issues remain, but at a much lower level than previously.

Please visit our PN forum...I see Abasaki already gave that link here.

Hello, Friend2U,
Thank you for your kind response! Hugs to you as well. I am sorry to complain about my feet- I am just worried they could get worse and keep me from being as active as I'd like and need to be. I have great admiration for the strength and spirit of people like you who have much more serious issues to deal with than mine. My Mom's sister,(also with Thyroid disease) had 8 children and 3 of them with MS. The oldest began having issues with eye sight and control of her legs at 18 after mono many years ago and there was much less understanding of ms then, and little treatment then. She was completely broken down by it and passed away at the age of 50. Her youngest sister has been diagnosed at an older age, after her 3rd baby was born and she is being treated much differently and is doing really well. She has had problems with her leg and balance and had to wear an eye patch last year, but has recently recovered proper vision again. Her Dr. has been giving her B12 injections which seem to help her a lot, but since she lives 6 hours from me and she has a busy family, I don't always get to hear news from her. The third cousin has had type one diabetes since he was 7 years old, and Addison's disease as an adult and recently they believe he also has many signs of having MS, but it is not confirmed yet.
I wish you and also your husband better health and good support in the coming years. A very Merry Christmas. Sorry, I don't know how to add all those pretty, festive images to my post!

1) auto immune hypothyroid
2) inablility to eat wheat
3) a relative with Barretts esophagus
4) questionable absorbtion of nutrition
This is screaming celiac disease to me, please check it out!
Also, fasting blood sugars are NOT the gold standard in diabetes testing,
they can remain normal long after the post prandial are not.
good luck!

Hello Mrs. D,
Thank you for your reply. I am grateful to hear from someone else that this is not an uncommon issue and that it can improve even if it doesn't go away completely. I had serious fluid retention this summer with no air conditioning and I prepare my food from scratch- little or no salt. 5 or 6 pounds a day and I am a small person. It is really funny- every time I was in an air conditioned building I had to run to the lady's room 5 times an hour.
I have a good Dr who I apppreciate so much as I never asked to be tested for Thyroid or' more recently, B12- she insisted I return for tests when I only went to her for a throat culture- I hadn't seen a doctor in years, just taken my parents to constant appointments and, comparing myself to them, I always thought I wasn't bad off. I sometimes think my Doctor might have the same health issues as she seems to understand before I do. In the new year, I wish everyone could have the best possible Doctors.

It sound like your cousins have also had a lot to deal with. My husband and I are doing fine considering everything. He just had a CT scan and is totally cancer free at this time. So he mainly is dealing with the neuropathy. Things could be so much worse and we are both thankful that God gives us so many blessings in our life.

It is so nice to have you join in with our NT family!!!