[eedmonson]

Hi all,

So grateful to have found this forum. I'm 38, and 4 months ago, one month after I gave birth to my daughter (what a joy she is!), I was out for a walk with my baby and started having severe nerve pain in my 4th toe on my right foot. It hasn't let up since then but is mostly aggravated by walking/jumping/running. Around that time I started feeling some nerve pain in my left big toe and even one day some pain in my fingers. That's disappeared but the 4th right toe is quite vulnerable to weight of any kind. I have also been having what feels like muscle pain in both feet, on the top of the foot, along the arch, up near the toes. Does this sound like two different things?

Here's a little bit of background:
I've had colitis for about twelve years and was diagnosed a few months ago with a yeast infection in my gut, which I've probably had for about 10 years and which is why the colitis has been getting worse over the years. I eat meat three times a day because it is one of the few foods I can tolerate, but because of my compromised digestive system, I have very poor absorption rates.

My doctor tested my b12 in January, and it was 485, very low for someone who eats as much meat as I do. I started taking 5 g of Jarrow's B12 more than a month ago and have seen no improvement.

I'm a huge outdoor enthusiast, so this is putting a tremendous limitation on me and my family's favorite activities. I'm trying to do something about this as quickly as possible so I can get back outdoors in the spring.

I exercise at least a couple of times a week doing circuit training/kettlebells. (I used to exercise 5 day/week, but with my daughter I haven't had that kind of time.) Have never smoked, don't drink at all, am taking 5000 iu vitamin d, 3200 mg fish oil and 30 mg zinc everyday. We eat only pasture-raised meat, so I know I'm getting healthy meat. I also have a very happy family life and wonderful friends, so this doesn't strike me as the result of stress.

I also take 3 mg of budesonide (Entocort) every other day, a low-level steroid to control the colitis. I've started to wonder if that may be contributing to the muscle soreness in my foot.

Any suggestions for me? Thanks so much!

[eedmonson]

Just wanted to add one thing: I was reading Mrs. D's recommendations about diet as a way to control PN. I'm already gluten free, as well as free from dairy, corn, soy, nuts, eggs, nightshades, among other things. I also follow a low-carb diet to try to control the candida (yeast) in my gut. So, might I be a good candidate for supplements?

Thanks!

[Sallysblooms]

The most important thing for most people is being very careful with carbs/sugar and eating foods that are highly nutritious. The nerves are very sensitive to insulin, just like the brain and all parts of the body. I am gluten free also, but eat a varied diet to get all of the vitamins etc that I need.

[glenntaj]

--you should be tested for vitamin/mineral levels, given that you have documented digestive system problems; deficiencies in a number of nutrients, from the B-vitamins to electrolytes can produce neural symptoms. I agree that B12 level is low given the amount of meat you eat--it strongly suggests malabsorption.

Have you ever been tested for celiac/gluten sensitivity in the past (before eliminating gluten from your diet)?

And, what other testing have you had that you can specifically report on--any nerve studies, toxicity tests?

[eedmonson]

Originally Posted by Sallysblooms

The most important thing for most people is being very careful with carbs/sugar and eating foods that are highly nutritious. The nerves are very sensitive to insulin, just like the brain and all parts of the body. I am gluten free also, but eat a varied diet to get all of the vitamins etc that I need.

Yes, I eat a very nutritious diet: no processed food of any kind, and I keep my carbs extremely low. No sugar or grains at all and no starchy veggies. It's definitely not making any kind of difference with this pain.

[eedmonson]

Originally Posted by glenntaj

--you should be tested for vitamin/mineral levels, given that you have documented digestive system problems; deficiencies in a number of nutrients, from the B-vitamins to electrolytes can produce neural symptoms. I agree that B12 level is low given the amount of meat you eat--it strongly suggests malabsorption.

Have you ever been tested for celiac/gluten sensitivity in the past (before eliminating gluten from your diet)?

And, what other testing have you had that you can specifically report on--any nerve studies, toxicity tests?

I had a whole slew of vitamin/mineral levels tested done in January, and the only thing that came back low was b12 and zinc. I know that I have malabsorption because of how long I've had the colitis and the yeast overgrowth. I was tested for celiac/gluten sensitivity years ago, but it came back negative. But taking it out of my diet twelve years ago made a significant difference in keeping the colitis in check. Haven't had any tests for my nerves or toxicity. Where would I go to do that?

And does anyone know whether the pain I'm feeling is two different things? I mean, does the muscle soreness sound like PN or something else? Thanks!

[mrsD]

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

If you tested low in zinc eating all that meat, I'd consider
pyroluria for you. This is a genetic disorder where zinc and B6 get complexed by kryptopyrroles made in excess in the liver.

There is urine testing for it, if you choose. But adding in P5P activated B6 may be helpful for you. Low B6 causes neuropathy.
This is one brand, but there are others. Not commonly found locally but easier to get online:
http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-P-5.../dp/B0009P3DT6

Also that 4th toe.... that is a prime location for a neuroma.
I'd go to a good podiatrist and have your foot pain evaluated.

And also, when women have babies, the fetus takes alot of Omega-3 fatty acids from the mother to make its brain. So the mother may be low in DHA for a long time. Taking some fish oil or krill oil will provide this to help replenish you. All that exercise also puts a burden on B6 levels which muscles use, and a need for the fatty acids.

People with chronic Candida also do well on thiamine B1 or the newer Benfotiamine. This is because the Candida dumps its metabolic byproducts in your system, which are difficult to get rid of. So 300mg a day of Benfotiamine will show improvements for you if this is your problem, within an month or so. You can do the cheaper thiamine at 100mg 3 times a day, if you choose. Some people don't like the "odor" this can cause but others don't mind it. Regular thiamine is about 1/2 the cost of the Benfotiamine.
http://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-B...octor%27s+best

Muscles low in B6 will complain. Also magnesium is necessary for normal metabolism, and since most Americans are low in this, and you eat a diet that may not provide enough, taking some SlowMag may help. Try taking baths in epsom salts (6oz to a bathtub with LUKEWARM water), and see it that helps. If it does, then oral SlowMag twice a day is a good way to get the magnesium you need. Beans of all types and nuts are good providers of it.

[eedmonson]

Thank you so much, Mrs. D! I will definitely try everything you recommended. I can't eat beans of any kind and my daughter is allergic to nuts (I'm nursing), so I'll try getting my magnesium from supplements.

[eedmonson]

Mrs. D - one question: how much PVP B6 do you recommend? Thanks!

[mrsD]

Start with just one a day, for now. If you are normal, one a day is not alot. The dosing for treating pyroluria is quite high and should be followed by a doctor familiar with it.

Many people take P5P for neuropathy. It is one of the 3 ingredients in the RX vitamin called Metanx.

Metanx was formulated with methylfolate, P5P and methylB12, specifically to treat neuropathies.

So it is not unusual at all.