Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Vegetarian with B12 deficiency

Hi,

I have been a vegetarian for about the last 5 years the same time I started working for a news station early mornings getting very poor sleep. About 5 to six months ago I started to get a tingly feeling in my arm and leg, various muscle twitches, light-handedness, headaches, eye twitches. slight memory loss, trouble focusing. symptoms became less severe as time went on but continued i thought it was MS. I went to the doctor and she thought it was from a slight spine injury. Recently I read about b12 deficiency I started taking it and started feeling better that day, after 5 days my eye twitch/pain is fully gone have way more energy and my left hand feels completely back to normal. I still have a occasional sporadic muscle twitch in my leg or arm.  I now also take a vegetarian formulated multivitamin as well as b12.

Could b12 deficiency be the culprit?

Also as a vegetarian what other supplements should I take and if possible could you point me to some resources?

Thanks.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1666434 tn?1325262350
I take Rainbow Light prenatals, it has probiotics in it and its the first non-constipating multi-vitamin I've taken with iron.  I have been a vegetarian for years but lacto-ovo so I eat yogurt, cheese and eggs so that helps with B12 as well.
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
Yes this sounds like vitamin B12 deficiency.  The sporadic twitches are myclonic jerks which can take some time to resolve. You are lucky you figured this out when you did. Permanent nerve damage occurs when not diagnosed and treated in time.  

Some essential dietary requirements, which could be missing from a vegetarian diet if it isn’t carefully planned, include:

Protein
Minerals (including iron, calcium and zinc)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Vitamins & Supplements Community

Top General Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.