I have had this strange symptom for almost a year now and am constantly trying to figure out what causes it. I often think I find the cause and then my theory gets blown out of the water so the search continues.
I get this tingly, prickly, skin sensation on various parts of my body that seem to come and go with no rhyme or reason. First I thought it was soy related. It seemed whenever I ate a lot of soy it would get worse and when I would give up soy, it got better. Problem solved! Nope. I haven't touched soy in a while and it's happening again.
I then chalked it up to plain ol' simple anxiety (which I've battled with all my life) as many people on anxiety forums discuss this symptom. but I have been relatively calm and tranquil for the most part and it's still happening, and pretty intensely today, really made me feel strange. So I thought perhaps it was the "splurge" last night: we went to the movies and I had candy and a large soda (which I NEVER drink) so maybe that's it. But from checking Dr. Google, that doesn't seem likely.
The theory I'm trying to prove or dis-prove now is the connection to these skin sensations and supplement changes. I never was one to take vitamins or supplements EXCEPT for 5,000 units of Vitamin D since my blood tests always showed me being low. But after reading lots on here I decided it was time to up my game and start getting additional needs met, so I now take a Centrum Silver every night, 1000 mg of B-12 at lunch, and continue to take my 5,000 units of Vitamin D at night. I've sporadically added in some magnesium in various forms because I haven't figured out the best way or dosage for me yet, and not knowing what my starting mag level is, it's hard to figure out how much I should be dosing. So I bought the Remag but taking that orally led to almost instant diarrhea. I was spraying it on my skin, but don't do that religiously enough. I keep magnesium lotion on my desk at work and use it twice a day, but again, that's not every day. I recently purchased some "Calm" figuring that would be the perfect solution: I would sprinkle some in my water bottle each day and sip it throughout the day. It arrived today and I am slowly sipping.
So.... after that lengthy, boring dissertation, does anything think this crawling, prickly, pins and needles that go through my arms, neck, skull and face have anything to do with my vitamin and supplement changes? Could I be getting too much D now? I know there are accurate tests for D and B12 and perhaps I should ask for them, but there's no accurate way to gauge my magnesium level, right?
Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciate. This tingling out of nowhere drives me nuts and of course is now adding to my anxiety because, you know me, I need to "fix" everything!
Sue
Supplement related?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Supplement related?
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
OD'ing on vitamin D should cause digestive issues, not skin sensations. But there's no way you could OD on 5,000 IU of vitamin D per day. Is the vitamin B-12 you take in the form of methylcobalamin? It should be, but maybe you need more. Those symptoms are consistent with a B-12 deficiency. Maybe you're not getting enough folate. That could cause a B-12 deficiency.
But there might be something else causing your symptoms. Unfortunately I can't come up with any more ideas, at the moment.
Tex
But there might be something else causing your symptoms. Unfortunately I can't come up with any more ideas, at the moment.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Buddy.... thanks (as always) for replying.
Just looked at my NatureMade B12 supplement and it's cyanocobalamin.
I'm actually getting more than 5,000 of D since there is 1000 in the Centrum multi-vitamin but I agree, hardly enough to OD on.
I'm stumped, and every time I think I've got this puzzle solved I lose another piece.
Sue
Just looked at my NatureMade B12 supplement and it's cyanocobalamin.
I'm actually getting more than 5,000 of D since there is 1000 in the Centrum multi-vitamin but I agree, hardly enough to OD on.
I'm stumped, and every time I think I've got this puzzle solved I lose another piece.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
According to the case studies that are available, you would need to take 40,000–50,000 IU of vitamin D every day for at least several months in order to OD on vitamin D, and like I said, the symptoms would be digestive, not neurological.
Do you have any MTHFR gene mutations? If you have certain MTHFR gene mutations, your methylation issues might keep you from being able to adequately convert the cyanocobalamin into methylcobalamin so that your body can use it. Your body can't use cyanocobalamin if you have certain methylation issues.
Tex
Do you have any MTHFR gene mutations? If you have certain MTHFR gene mutations, your methylation issues might keep you from being able to adequately convert the cyanocobalamin into methylcobalamin so that your body can use it. Your body can't use cyanocobalamin if you have certain methylation issues.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I don't think I have any MTHFR issues, I didn't even know what it was till you mentioned it so I Googled it.... I thought you were calling me something derogatory. :) That's quite the acronym, LOL
So should I buy a different type of Vitamin B12?
Sue
So should I buy a different type of Vitamin B12?
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Yes, I would try about 5,000 mcg of methylcobalamin per day for a while and then reduce the dose to 1,000–2,000 mcg after a couple of weeks. If that doesn't help significantly, we're 
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Sue, just something totally different to consider. I don't know your age, or where you are in relation to menopause/perimenopause. I am at the point now where I get what I call "warm flashes" instead of hot flashes that aren't real noticeable during the day, but do get what I have called prickly skin associated with these episodes several times a day. It is most noticeable on my thighs and trunk. You mentioned previous issues with anxiety, and hot flashes are often associated with anxiety-related symptoms like rapid heart rate, etc. So you might want to explore hormone-related causes.
Rosie
Rosie
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time………Thomas Edison
OK, the order is placed..... should be here Wednesday. Should I ease myself up to 5,000? Are there any reactions to too much / too soon?tex wrote:
Tex
Sue
P.S. Loved your "barking up the wrong tree clipart. :)
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Thanks for sharing and the possible cause, Rosie. But I'm 10 years past menopause so I don't think that's it. I DO think it's hormonal-related, though.... it used to happen all the time when I changed doses of Synthroid but I haven't changed to dose in a long time. But with all the new supplements and new diet, perhaps I'm not metabolizing or absorbing the Synthroid the same way I used to. Hmmmmm...Rosie wrote:Sue, just something totally different to consider. I don't know your age, or where you are in relation to menopause/perimenopause. I am at the point now where I get what I call "warm flashes" instead of hot flashes that aren't real noticeable during the day, but do get what I have called prickly skin associated with these episodes several times a day. It is most noticeable on my thighs and trunk. You mentioned previous issues with anxiety, and hot flashes are often associated with anxiety-related symptoms like rapid heart rate, etc. So you might want to explore hormone-related causes.
Rosie
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
No, the body is very forgiving about B-12. It just purges any that it doesn't need or it can't utilize. Normally, the liver can store up to a 5 year supply (providing that our diet has supplied enough), but after we have MC, we no longer absorb it properly so we tend to use up the stored supply and we can become deficient after a few years.Sue wrote:Should I ease myself up to 5,000? Are there any reactions to too much / too soon?
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Sue,
Interesting that it only occurs on the upper body. Just a thought.....could you be having a neck (cervical disc) problem? Have you had any falls, injuries? How is your posture?
Can you pinpoint exactly what changed a year ago? Is that when you started the multi? Have you checked all of the inert ingredients in the multi? I know, for example, that vitamin E is often tocopherol-based which can mean soy.
Polly
Interesting that it only occurs on the upper body. Just a thought.....could you be having a neck (cervical disc) problem? Have you had any falls, injuries? How is your posture?
Can you pinpoint exactly what changed a year ago? Is that when you started the multi? Have you checked all of the inert ingredients in the multi? I know, for example, that vitamin E is often tocopherol-based which can mean soy.
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Oh, Polly - it's always so nice to hear from you and to see your smiling face!Polly wrote:Hi Sue,
Interesting that it only occurs on the upper body. Just a thought.....could you be having a neck (cervical disc) problem? Have you had any falls, injuries? How is your posture?
Can you pinpoint exactly what changed a year ago? Is that when you started the multi? Have you checked all of the inert ingredients in the multi? I know, for example, that vitamin E is often tocopherol-based which can mean soy.
Polly
What changed a year ago? Hah! What DIDN'T change! A year ago I decided I wanted to try to get off some meds and improve my health through my diet, so at the urging of my doc, I became a Vegan. I tried that for six months and in some ways felt better but it did nothing to improve the colitis. (I had already been dairy free for at least a year before that). When I became Vegan I started taking a B-12 supplement and continued with my 5,000 IU of Vitamin D.
I then went to see a dietician/nutritionist who suggested I at least add eggs back into my diet. That was working OK, until I realized the eggs I was eating were from chickens fed exclusively soy. Since that's too hard to control, I've given up eggs again. Oh, she also told me to start taking a Centrum Silver every day, so I have.
I've added lean meats back in and eat a varied, healthy diet. And then I started reading all about magnesium on this forum and tried to get more into me through various methods.
So yes, lots has changed in the past year. I've been on and off Entocort which always messes with my Synthroid. My poor body doesn't know what the hell I'm going to do to it next!
No injuries of any serious nature. I'm pretty active so I get bumped and bruised and hike and do yoga but no aches or pains. I've been complimented on my posture at the office but... who knows?
I'm thinking the tingling/prickling is a nerve/anxiety reaction. Today it's happening a lot, but in addition I'm hyper, having tics, and struggling to take a deep breathe. So something is going on inside (I feel fine emotionally and mentally) that is revving me up and causing most of this. My body adjusting to the new supplements and vitamins? Who knows. I get so tired of trying to figure it all out but each time it happens I get furious and frustrated all over again because I NEED TO KNOW. Perhaps THAT is what I should work on. :)
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Sue,
I always love reading your posts because you are so insightful. There may be a lot of truth in that last paragraph. Yes, it does sound like it could be anxiety. Have you tried breathing (rebreathing actually) into a paper bag that you close around your mouth and nose? If your tingling is from blowing off too much carbon dioxide due to hyperventilation (which is common with anxiety), then this will help.
Perhaps you need to replay the song "Let it GO" constantly in your head throughout the day?
Feel better,
Polly
I always love reading your posts because you are so insightful. There may be a lot of truth in that last paragraph. Yes, it does sound like it could be anxiety. Have you tried breathing (rebreathing actually) into a paper bag that you close around your mouth and nose? If your tingling is from blowing off too much carbon dioxide due to hyperventilation (which is common with anxiety), then this will help.
Perhaps you need to replay the song "Let it GO" constantly in your head throughout the day?
Feel better,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.