It's weird but there are days like today where I was doing fine all day, maybe an occassional nerve pain zap here and there. Then all of a sudden around 9PM it hit really hard, a lot of itching and nerve zaps. I have NO loss of muscle function, just a lot of nerve zaps all over my body and some itching.

These episodes last for 1 hour or so and then go away.

I do have some soreness (very light but noticeable) in my upper back portion on my left side only. I do get the muscle twitches/spasms, mostly in my calf's but they come and go through the day. I notice it most when I sit.



From my research online my symptoms don't appear to be that of MS, as far as I can tell. I am still waiting to get my test results and see a neuro.

These are the supplements I have been taking for the past month:

Vitamin E = 1,000iu x 1 a day

Vitamin B6 = 100mg x 1 a day (tablet form)

Vitamin B12 = 1.2mg x 1 a day (liquid under tongue)
Vitamin B6 = 2mg x 1 a day (liquid under tongue)
Vitamin B2 = 1.7mg x 1 day (liquid under tongue)
Pantothenic Acid = 30mg (liquid under tongue)
Niacin = 20mg (liquid under tongue)

Vitamin B1 – 250mg x 1 day

Calcium = 1,200mg x 1 day

Vitamin D = 250iu x 1 day

Lipoic Acid – 300 mg x 2 day

Potassium Citrate – 99mg x 1 day

Vitamin C – 500mg x1

Magnesium – 400mg x 1


What is strange is that after taking the above supplements, it was exactly 2 weeks later that I started to DEVELOP the nerve zap and itching symptoms. Prior to that I did NOT have any of those problems or symptoms.

Could the above supplements be causing the problem?

I know B6 can cause problems in high doses but 100mg is not a high dose.

Should I stop taking the above supplements and see if my symptoms go away?

What kind of magnesium are you using? If it is oxide, it won't be absorbed.

I'd break the B6 in half for a few days, and see if that changes anything.

What form is the niacin? REAL niacin? Is it mixed with the others above it? Niacin causes flushing and tingling...in some people. Even low doses.

I'd break the calcium up into divided doses of 600mg twice a day.

If this symptom continues after you reduce the B6, you can stop them wait for all symptoms to go away, and introduce one at a time every 5-7 days, to see when the symptom returns.

Yes, it is magnesium oxide. I will switch to Magnesium Taurate or Malate.

The Niacin is part of the sublingual liquid B-Complex. It shows the Niacin as Niacinamide.

I will stop the B6 for now to see what happens. I also stopped taking the sublingual B-complex and I am now taking the Kirkland B12 Methyl tablet (5,000 mg).

I should have my lab test results in the next few hours...

Got my lab test results:

CBC with Differential/Platelet: All in the normal range

Comp Metabolic Panel: All in the normal range except for Chloride, Serum (low) my reading was 96 (range 97-108); Bilirubin was (high) 1.3 (range was 0.0 - 1.2)
Glucose was 80mg (range was 65-99)
Potassium was 3.5 (range 3.5-5.2)

Urinalysis: All in normal range except for Ketones which stated, "Trace Abnormal" and nothing more. I was fasting for over 12 hours, if that makes a difference.

Iron and TIBC: 284 (range 250-450)
UIBC: 185 (range 150-375)
Iron, Serum: 100 (range 40-155)
Iron Saturation: 35 (range 15-55)

Vitamin B12 and Folate: 868 (range 211-946)
Folate (folic acid), serum: 9.3
I was only taking B12 supplements for 4 weeks prior to this test and I stopped taking B12 at least 20 hours before this test.)

Vitamin D, 25- Hydroxy: 45 (range 30-100)
Magnesium: 2.0 (range 1.6-2.6)
Ferritin: 137 (range 30-400)
Testosterone: 380 (range 348-1197)

I guess it's good news/bad news because I now know it's NOT a Vitamin B12 or iron deficiency. So the problem is being caused by something other than vitamin or mineral deficiency. Although the "Ferritin" was towards the lower side but still within range. Still waiting on the thyroid and heavy metal poison testing.

The Potassium has caught my attention. I now have 3.5 while I had 4.1 level a year ago. Even at 3.5 that is the cusp of being deficient.

Online research shows that potassium deficiency causes muscle twitches and spasms, along with random nerves firing. I also get dizzy if I stand up really quick, which is another symptom of deficiency.

As per an article online:
Potassium plays a key role in muscle contraction, so a deficiency of this mineral can cause a range of muscular symptoms. Slow reflexes, cramps, twitches, and spams are all effects of potassium deficiency. Problems with the legs during sleep, including restless leg syndrome and charley horses — strong, sudden cramps in the calf muscles — may also be worse in people who do not get enough of this mineral.

The brain cells (neurons) transmit electrical impulses through the nerves to the desired muscle group in order to initiate muscle movement. Without sufficient potassium levels, the neurons won't be able to send electrical signals effectively. In other words, there would be disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain, in turn affecting the contraction and relaxation of muscles.

Since 90 percent of our potassium resides inside our cells, blood levels (which are extracellular) measure only the tip of the iceberg. While the lab report may say that potassium levels between 3.5 and 5.2 millimoles per liter are normal, people with high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat should be at 4.0 as a minimum, and preferably above 4.5.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I have PVC's and have had them for over 9 years. I was tested by cardiologists and my PVC's are "benign" in the sense that they are not tachycardia.

The recommended daily allowance is 4,000 mg/day. Of course because of safety concerns the max allowed potassium in tablet form is 99mg. Nobody is going to swallow 40 tablets a day so the best way is to get it naturally via OJ, baked potato, avocado, etc.

I am REALLY hoping I am on to something here. Time to go to Costco and stock on on Potassium rich foods.

hellothere, am I posting in the right place?

Welcome Tuscamy
You may want to start a new thread and let members know about your health condition and then they can point you to the right section, if this is not it. This is the Peripheral Neuropathy forum...is that what you have?

hi, do you have MS? i was diagnosed with sensory ganglionopathy and i'm getting worse everyday. i take some meds but nothing seems to work. I'm getting frustrated and scared. i can't drive anymore bec i can't feel anymore. pls. give me some advice. tnx.








QUOTE=Sallysblooms;976296]It is scary to have new symptoms and problems. I am so sorry. There are so many things you can do no matter what it turns out to be. With MS, a doctor has written a book called "Minding my Mitochondria." She was very ill. She learned all she could and and with her diet she is SO much better, no more w.chair, she gardens and rides her bike. I love that book, it deals with mitochondria and nerves so we all benifit from that information. It is all about food.

Also, no matter what the glucose test says (I hope you do get an A1C test) you need to stop sugar and simple carbs. They are bad for every part of the body and mostly for the nerves. Diet is number one.

The supplements are the next thing. SO important. I hope you have a good integrative MD that can help with all of that. Good brands and the right doses.

Exercise, even a small amount it important. I have autonomic neuropathy, Dysautonomia/ POTS so standing up and exercising is only for small amounts of time. I sit for most of it.

Circulation is important. I am ordering the Infrared Dome to help and heal more. I am doing very well with the PN now. Autonomic Neuropathy is also doing so well. Different each day.

I hope you get answers soon.

We can do many things to help healing so try to stay calm and I am glad you are here.[/QUOTE]