vitamin B12 and M.E

willa

sleepymy wrote: »

I've been offered a neuro referral because of my migraines (I take several short migraines day and night, most with aura so I'm either in aura stage or suffering the after fatigue at most stages of the day). Needless to say, on top of having ME, I'm knackered . I can't decide whether to invest all the energy that goes into attending appointments.

In theory, you would expect them to be able to help, but in practice I don't think they know any more about migraine than they do about ME.

Sleepymy have you tried the paper bag thing? When you feel migraine coming on, get a paper bag, scrunch it at the top and breath normally in and out of it. It does something to the gases in the blood vessels I think, details might be on net. Maybe have a look into it first and don't do it just on my say so.
I used to get bad migraines when I was much younger and I think this averted one coming on once or twice. They are bl**dy horrible, poor you.

willa

soolin wrote: »

I think we need to be careful of straying into medical advice here, but yes there are some admittedly low risks, but risks nonetheless associated with B12. Frankly anyone that said there was no risk would make me suspicious immediately and I would probably be doubting everything else they told me as well.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/toxicity-of-vitamin-b12.html

Toxicity of Vitamin B12

A heavy dosage of vitamin B12 is mostly considered harmless because it is soluble in water . Therefore, the part of unabsorbed vitamin B12 can be thrown out of the body through the colon. However, if there is substantial increase in the amount of vitamin B12 present in the body, it could increase the possibility of different types of cancers and other ailments.

There is a link between cancer and vitamin B12. This is because, intake of Vitamin B12 as a supplement activates cell division. However, it fails to identify healthy and unhealthy cells. Thus, it adversely facilitates the growth of cancerous cells. Patients using vitamin B12 to treat pernicious anemia may develop leukemia. Rise in level of vitamin B12 in our body can increase the risk of developing prostrate cancer. If intake of vitamin B12 is accompanied by high cholesterol diet and animal protein, then stomach and esophagus cancer may occur.

It can also lead to excessive growth red blood cells as well as overall volume of blood, which is known as polycythemia vera. Vitamin B12 can lead to some diseases related to blood and blood vessels. Vitamin B12 can cause clotting of blood inside the blood vessels. When vitamin B12 is administered for the treatment of megaloblastic anemia, it has led to fatal conditions like hypokalemia and gout in some patients.

The chances of intake of vitamin B12 in excess quantity often occur due to the fact that there is no definite upper limit of vitamin B12 consumption. Therefore, it is advisable to take this vitamin in moderate amounts only, and importantly in consultation with your doctor.

I have highlighted the bit that I think most relevant.

A saleswoman in a very well known health shop chain was really pushing very high dose B vitamins at my Mum when she was having some depression and sleep problems due to a bereavement and desperate for something to help. I think I asked woman if she had heard about the research showing link between high B dosage and health problems - think it was nerve damage, can't remember - and she obviously didn't have a clue but was highly trained in pushing the supposed benefits. :mad:

sleepymy

willa wrote: »

Sleepymy have you tried the paper bag thing? When you feel migraine coming on, get a paper bag, scrunch it at the top and breath normally in and out of it. It does something to the gases in the blood vessels I think, details might be on net. Maybe have a look into it first and don't do it just on my say so.
I used to get bad migraines when I was much younger and I think this averted one coming on once or twice. They are bl**dy horrible, poor you.

Thanks willa, I'll look into it. I know breathing into a brown paper bag is recommended for panic attacks because it helps increase the carbon dioxide in the blood, I've never heard it for migraine though.

willa

sleepymy wrote: »

Thanks willa, I'll look into it. I know breathing into a brown paper bag is recommended for panic attacks because it helps increase the carbon dioxide in the blood, I've never heard it for migraine though.

Yeah, they do say brown bag for some reason, think I used white one though and it worked...

Mojisola

soolin wrote: »

I think we need to be careful of straying into medical advice here, but yes there are some admittedly low risks, but risks nonetheless associated with B12. Frankly anyone that said there was no risk would make me suspicious immediately and I would probably be doubting everything else they told me as well.

I don't think she's ever said there is no risk - after all you can die from drinking too much water! A relative that has B12 injections from the GP is given a big dose every month which must flood the body with a much higher concentration of B12 than the tiny injections I give myself.