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

[RomanMpls]

Wanted to post an update to my struggle:
All the symptoms I described in my previous post (muscle twitches, numbness, aches) started shortly after I started taking vitamin supplements (among them B6 100mg).  When my B6 level was tested it came back over 400 nmol/L B6.  I stopped taking all vitamins right after the B6 test.  That was about 6 months ago.

Nowdays I still get a lot of muscle twitches (they vary day by day, mostly muscle will twitch just a few seconds, although couple of times I had muscle on my arm in one case and leg in another case twitch for a few hours).  Occasionally I get numbing feeling in my limbs.  I also have Myoclonic jerks before falling asleep (I do not remember them before B6 troubles started).

I went to the Mayo Clinic hoping they can put some diagnosis on my symptoms.  In Mayo the Neurologist did the usual neuro tests (muscle reflexes, walking etc) and sent me to do some blood work (including Lime disease which came negative) and EMG.
The diagnosis they came back with was Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (BFS).  I do believe that my symptoms and symptoms of many people on this board match those of BFS.

Right now I'm on glutten free diet (I have Hashimoto's/thyroid issues) and in general try to eat mostly unprocessed foods.  Don't know what else I can do - the doctor had basically no suggestions...  I'm very hesitant to do any vitamins again.  Considering going for more organic foods (I've read some fertilizers (phosphates) can cause nerve damage as well, but not convinced on that since it is just another guess and it would have a significant burden on the wallet.  Probably will just continue the wait and see what happens game.

[Paulraw]

I suffer from IBS like symptoms now and then ,after a few days i get symptoms of vitaminshortage .I figured out that with a good low dosed multi these symptoms disappeared and it helps to stop the IBS /diarrhea .As long as i had these IBS  it works well.The moment everything went normal ,just a few days after it ,i get a sort of burning(arms) skin and a foggy brain.Somehow resorption is repared now (after diarrhea has stopped)and i directly get overdose symptomes.I red al lot on this site and i am convinced it's caused bij overdose.The last time muscletwitching(small fingermovements,like you're very nervous) and some visionblurring could be added,so thanks to your site i know it's the B6 .
I normally stop using the vitamines after these side-effects occur and restart when IBS return .So i don't use chronically.So i could use myself as a real testobject though.
This time i didn't stop using it but changed it for a different form of the same brand with zero B6 ,and other vitamins in comparable dose as the one i earlier used .
Within 24 hours twitching and skinburncomplaints halved ,and after 48 hours completely disappeared.
Mind you,that the multi i used only had 5 mg of B6 in it,even taking a half tablet (2,5 mg) dit reduce twitching.
I am from Europe and i am stunned by the huge doses people use in the US ,although these highdosed pills are sold here too,they are not so very promoted here.
Thanks for the great site.

[phylisrn]

Tonight I am having horrible muscle twitches. Normally I would take more B complex but nit I know I am detoxing!

[phylisrn]

I have only been off fir 3 days. The sad part is that I kind of suspected the B complex years ago. I would stop it and feel better and then my symptoms would get 10x worse and I would take another b complex. Now I know that I was going through detox.  

[murph234]

Hi everyone im  years  into healing and i get flu like systems does anyon else here appearance this?sore ears tired etc

[k2sunny]

I have been having blurred vision for the past 3 years and dizziness and muscle weakness in hands and one leg. I get muscle aches and burning, Acid Reflux, Lump in throat, vibrating throughout my body.  I have had every test you can possibly imagine and all was CLEAR  and then found out my Vitamin B6 levels were 99.3.  IS this considered Toxicity?

I am only taking a Prenatal Vitamin that I have been taking for the past 4 years and I started B12 Injections about 14 months ago.

I am also Hypothyroid and have Hashimoto's.