[w.wilkes]

Hi everyone,
its been a while since I last posted but I have visited often to gain information about neuropathy. I value all opinions and advice. I have been on a gluten free diet for about 3 months and I also at the same time started taking 6 neuropathy support formula tablets on a empty stomach per day. In one months time I developed a skin rash on both arms and hands. I then started taking benadryl for the itching. I still have the rash, I was hoping it would go away being on a gluten free diet but it did not. I had blood work done on June 1st and also saw the doctor about the rash, she gave me an ointment 2.5% hydrocortisone and 20mg of prednisone 3 for 3 days 2 for 3 days and 1 for 3 days. I informed her that I had been taking the neuropathy support formula for my neuropathy and benadryl for the rash plus 3 to 4 Ibuprofen per day for foot pain. She said stop taking the Ibuprofen because I had at one time elevated liver enzymes due to taking a blood pressure medication which in time caused my neuropathy. I told her I was on a gluten free diet and she said nothing. On June 4th the nurse called and said that my B12 level was to high and the doctor said stop with the b12. The wrest of my lab work was good, my liver enzymes were not elevated everything was normal. Here is my problem, I don't want to stop taking the B12 my feet are sooo much better not well by no means but I do not cry everyday for hours anymore! I have cut down to 4 tablets of the neuropathy formula and I am using the ointment. The rash has improved some but is still there. I did not want to take the prednisone because of the side effects that I have had from taking it before. I asked if they would give me something else but they just said try the ointment first and if it does not work you will have to take the prednisone. I am in a catch 22 situation! If I take the prednisone and do not stop the B12 will the rash go away or will it go away and then return? I know that taking the neuropathy support formula has greatly improved my feet. I do not want to live with a rash forever! Please help with any suggestions you may have, my doctor just looks at me, like when I was told I have neuropathy and was handed a booklet. Thank you!

[mrsD]

You will have to get the numbers for your "being too high".

You could be allergic to anything in that product, as it has many herbs in it, and other things. Impossible to say what is doing what. 6 of those tablets seems like way too much IMO.

There is no upper limit to B12 readings, the FDA has set no upper limit to B12 dosage as a result.

Just because there is a range for it, doctors respond as if the upper number is exceeded that there is "something wrong".

I would stop the product, and if you search here you will see why I don't even recommend it.

If you need B12 you can take it by itself, it the future.

[Sallysblooms]

You can just buy the supplments separately and then you will not have the B12 in every pill. You can take Benfotiamine(b1 that is fat and water soluble,) Alpha Lipoic Acid, l Carnitine, Fish oil, etc.

[Sallysblooms]

Posted at the same time.

[mrsD]

Oh, I see in your title...you put the level of B12 in. Sorry....

That is not "too high" for any reason.

My level when I tested Puritan's new methylB12 was 1999.
We had a lab tech post here once that the machines used to
measure B12 only go up to 2000.

So several of our posters here have had 2000 and are not worried at all about it. Many of us here keep our levels over 1000.

The only value for elevated B12 is for people NOT taking any supplements. In rare diseases, B12 may become elevated by itself, and that is a signal for doctors to look for a cause.
Leukemias, kidney disease, and some GI infections can do this.

There are many stand alone Methylcobalamin products you can buy to take B12 only. I'd do that in the near future once you "wash out" that product's effects.

As mentioned you can add in other things, after your rash is gone, one at a time slowly in less dramatic doses, if you need to.
Puritan's Pride has a very effective product.
iherb.com and Swanson's and Vitacost all sell online methylB12 for very little expense.

I really think using a shotgun product like you describe is not the safe way to go with so many ingredients in it, and I'd stay away from herbal ingredients as well.

When you decide when and if to take the methylB12 by itself, again, you can start at 1mg a day. You obviously absorb it well. Continue with empty stomach. I wouldn't take anything until your rash clears up.