A person caught in the grip of B12 deficiency has revealed that they are still experiencing foot neuropathy one year on from their diagnosis.
The internet is awash with B12 deficiency horror stories. The condition can be fiendishly difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are non-specific.
Also, there is a lack of consensus on how best to define B12 deficiency so many people slip through the net.
Even if you're one of the lucky few who get a diagnosis, treating it can be challenging as the causes are manifold.
One B12 deficiency sufferer took to Reddit to express their frustrations.
In response to another user revealing they have "awful" foot neuropathy, they wrote: "This is my main issue as well. I've been on B12 injections for a year and it's the one symptom that I can't seem to eliminate."
As they explained, there's an "abundance" of research that says B12 injections have a positive impact on neuropathies but for them, life remains "painful and miserable".
According to the user, the neuropathy in their arms and hands has disappeared but it remains in their feet, ankles and calves.
What is foot neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a disease or damage to the nerves that can affect sensation, movement, and organ function.
It tends to affect the extremities, such as the hands and feet.
Symptoms include:
- Pins and needles in the affected body part
- Numbness and less ability to feel pain or changes in temperature, particularly in your feet
- A burning or sharp pain, usually in the feet
- Feeling pain from something that should not be painful at all, such as a very light touch
- Loss of balance or coordination caused by less ability to tell the position of the feet or hands
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B12 injections can help with neuropathy by promoting nerve regeneration, protecting nerves, and easing pain
Getty ImagesFalling short of the vitamin can inflict nerve damage.
B12 injections can help with neuropathy by promoting nerve regeneration, protecting nerves, and easing pain.
However, injections can produce mixed results and many struggle to get hold of them. Data from a review of patient experiences and surveys involving more than 2200 patients with B12 deficiency in the UK found nearly two-thirds of respondents regard their treatment as insufficient to manage symptoms.
Some patients may experience recurrence or worsening of symptoms when the interval between injections is extended or extended too quickly, and report that continuation of frequent intramuscular hydroxocobalamin injections - one of the main treatments is needed to remain asymptomatic.