Insomnia/anxiety on steroids caused by vitamin b6 toxicity
Last edited Mon Sep 9, 2019, 05:21 AM - Edit history (1)
I'm sharing this because it could be helpful to some of my DU friends. I got very sick over the holidays 2018. It started out as tingling in hands and feet, cramps and light headaches. Progressed to insomnia, extreme weight loss and finally anxiety on steroids. I researched: can supplements cause anxiety and boom much information pointed to b6 toxicity
I had and elevated level of b6 in my body from taking an innocent looking b6 supplement which was actually, 100mg, 5,000% of the Daily Recommended Allowance. Who puts that in a bottle and sells it? My level was 78 and the high normal is 30. B6 stays in the body and accumulates. They put it in energy drinks.
Here are the symptoms of b6 toxicity:
Vitamin B6 Toxicity
Overdosing on vitamin B6 is rare with natural food sources, but possible with pyridoxine supplements. Excessive levels of vitamin B6 can irritate nerves and produce numbness in the hands and feet. Associated symptoms include muscle spasms and cramps. Permanent nerve damage is more serious and can impact mobility. Pyridoxine toxicity can also cause irritation to the nerves in and around the brain, which can result in headaches and migraines. Fatigue is another common symptom because pyridoxine toxicity can disrupt sleep cycles and cause insomnia. The physical symptoms of pyridoxine toxicity can increase the risk for stress, anxiety, irritability and depression.
the side effects of taking very large doses of b6 vitamin can include:
* rapid and/or irregular heartbeat
* poor circulation/cold hands
* irritability, anxiety/insomnia
* numb hands/feet, neuropathy
* inability to fall asleep, interrupted sleep
* headaches and fatigue
I was having so many of the above symptoms especially insomnia, fatigue, headaches and anxiety on steroids. Every tiny stressor became a monster. My weight dropped so low I had no energy. It’s a hell I wish on no one
Magnesium is key. Insomnia, anxiety and weight loss were my most serious symptoms and magnesium helps so much. I use mag from glycinate and malate.
The info I mentioned above came from two articles I read.
Exercise is crucial also but not heavy. Walking a couple of miles daily and yoga worked for me. I started to see light at the end of the tunnel gradually.
Sleeping like a baby now😊.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Some people take 3-5 months but some even longer. If it causes neuropathy it will take a lot of time. Search for b6 toxicity groups on fb. I’m on two of them. They were so very helpful and I still check in every now and then
dreadful. I felt like I was in a state of psychosis. I couldn’t see a way out and I just wanted my old joy back!!!! I had the pins and wobbly legs too. Anxiety was off the charts. I’ve never been so sick. BUT knowledge is power. You will get better. Try to eat lots of leafy greens: I blend one cup of kale with one cup of coconut water and a dash of honey and sometimes a piece of raw beet every day and take a probiotic. For Anxiety take Lions Maine, from Gaia, only brand I trust. You will notice a big difference after 3 days
