B6 Toxicity

[chimey]

This is more of a comment than a question, but I would welcome info from anyone who has any experience with this situation. I took a prescription called Folcaps (which had 25 mgs of pyridoxine in it) for a year. In February of 06 I began experiencing symptoms which have now been diagnosed as Pyridoxine (b6) Toxicity Induced Neuropathy. I did not get this diagnosis until August 15, after four MRIs, several specialists and balance testing. My b6 blood level was 81 - the maximum safe level in this test was 32. When reading about b6 toxicity one reads about tingling hands and feet and being "wobbly on your feet" and things of that nature. It can be much more than that. Be careful with Vitamin b6. It's not known if the neurological damage is reversible. Some studies show it is, some show it is not. The damage I have suffered extends to my thyroid, my blood pressure has been lowered (to an unsafe level - it was healthy before), my balance has been damaged - I don't know where my right foot is in space, I've had insomnia, my symptoms are too lengthy to list here. The fatigue that I have been experiencing for the past several months has started to lift now that I've stopped taking the medication, but it is still profound...another hallmark symptom of b6 poisoning. This is a serious toxic situation and one that is not understood by the medical community. I am waiting to find out how much of my life I will get back. I am rebuilding my stamina & neuropathways with an optimistic outlook. And getting the word out. MD's don't know about vitamins. Work with nutritionists. Don't go it solo

[Fireguy91128]

I have a question.  How long did it take most people in here for thier b6 level to come into normal range once they found out about it and cut out the supplements?  It's been 7 months for me and it has come down from 208 to 50 which is a big improvement but it still needs to come down more.  Has anyone else had it take many months to come into normal range?

Also has anyone else noticed thier symptoms go in cycles of good and bad?  Did your symptoms get worse once you were in a normal range and your body began to recover?  Thanks for any input.  

[Fireguy91128]

I've cut out all fortified foods like cereal and protien bars.  I wish the FDA would stay out of my food.    

[missmillie901]

thanks for the info about mthfr, I'll ask my doctor about possibly getting tested. I have the feeling, however he will think I'm a little crazy. I think now he is thinking it is glucose intolerance.  I think they use this mthfr test if they think you have high hyperhomocysteinemia? I am so sorry to hear about all the symptoms some of the guys are having!  Since I am a very allergy pron person and have reacted to eating too many sunflower seeds years ago, plus taking a b-complex and blisters on my feet from eating halibut or shrimp.  I must have been sinsitive to b6 and didin't realize that it could build up in my blood. Anyway, it is comforting to know I am not suffering alone! I am leaning tword the fact that it is the culprit pyridoxine, the synthetic form, it is even in my raisin bran. I am thinking this may not be water soluable and is stored in the body, maybe in the fat cells. Let me know what you think?
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[bre52]

I posted a few weeks ago about the MTHFR test. Thanks for your replies. I have since then been to an alternative doctor who determined I am mercury and lead toxic.  He, as well as the neurologist, dismisses the B6.  The alternative doc did a metal chelation treatment (isomg EDTA) and it seems to have made my symptoms much worse: burning, shooting pain all over and burning in my mouth, etc.    I have been out of work since the chelation and don't see returning with the pain I am in.  I an taking Lyrica and just started on Tegratol.  I admit,  I can't believe this can possibly be from B6. Not sure what to do now.  

[richauthor]

Have you read my earlier posts this month? I'm pretty sure I posted EVERYTHING I know about B6 there (on August 10th).  

Welcome to the "select few," brother.

[Fireguy91128]

Thanks richauthor.  Its been nine months and it doesn't feel like anything is getting better.  I burn all over head to toe and I get numb spots sometimes.  When the burning is bad on my skin I can actually feel it in my stomach.  It also makes me feel really anxious and I am not an anxious person by nature.  The hive come and go in waves.  I also get bad waves of vertigo.  Out of a million test done on me the only thing that has stood out is the B6.  I've been off my vitamins for 7 months now.  I started at 208 with a lab range of 2 - 21 ng/ml and it is now 50.  Is it normal to take this long to come down.  My diet is completley natural now.  I eat nothing that is fortified.  Is there something else that could be causing these horrible symptoms other than B6?  Only one doctor at the Mayo clinic mentioned that B6 is the possible cause all the other doctors I've been to disregard the b6 number.  If anyone is experiencing what I'm experiencing please let me know.  Thanks