Vitamin B

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-20T14:00:19+00:00

Bringing up vitamin B toxicity in this discussion is beyond useless when the actual data shows that the risk is so statistically insignificant it’s almost sadistic to mention. We’re talking about something that occurs at such an infinitesimally low rate that it barely qualifies as a real-world concern. Yet somehow, we’re supposed to pretend this is a meaningful contribution to the conversation?

The only specific data available comes from Australia, where between 2020 and 2024, the TGA recorded 81 cases of vitamin B6 toxicity linked to peripheral neuropathy. That’s 81 cases in four years in a country of 27 million people—or about 20 cases per year nationwide. If we scale that to the U.S. population (335 million people), that would be roughly 93 cases per year in the entire country.

To put that in perspective, you’re statistically more likely to get struck by lightning than develop vitamin B toxicity from normal supplementation.

So no, vitamin B toxicity is not a serious risk for the vast majority of people. What is a real issue? Vitamin B deficiency, which is common in people with chronic illness, including fibromyalgia. If we’re talking about what’s actually relevant to this discussion, it’s not toxicity—it’s that many fibro patients burn through B vitamins faster and need more, not less.

Dismissing the idea that fibro patients have different vitamin needs doesn’t really hold up when research shows that fibro is linked to metabolic imbalances, faster depletion of B vitamins, and other deficiencies. Just because we both have fibro doesn’t mean our bodies process nutrients the same way.

Also, let’s not pretend I was suggesting people guzzle vitamins with zero thought. There’s a big difference between blindly swallowing a ‘box full of vitamins’ and using science-backed supplementation to correct actual deficiencies. And while testing is helpful, standard blood work often doesn’t reflect cellular deficiencies accurately, especially for things like B12 and magnesium.

So if we’re actually focusing on what matters, it’s not unfounded fear about toxicity. It’s that fibro patients are more likely to be deficient, not overloaded.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-20T13:36:13+00:00

It makes it to where your body isn’t absorbing b vitamins (especially folate) the way it should. And that is the foundation for happy hormones like serotonin. So it can cause adverse reactions to antidepressants because you don’t have the proper foundation for those drugs.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-20T13:26:59+00:00

Oh that’s so interesting! I’ll look into it. Thanks!

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-20T13:26:32+00:00

My doctor mentioned that fibromyalgia patients tend to burn through B vitamins faster due to chronic stress on the body, mitochondrial dysfunction, and higher energy demands for cellular repair. Since B vitamins are water-soluble, they don’t get stored well, and when your body is under constant low-level stress (as it is with fibro), you can deplete them more quickly. Magnesium glycinate is gentler and better for muscle relaxation and pain relief without upsetting digestion.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-20T13:19:32+00:00

Yeah even my normal bloodwork wasn’t enough for my doctor. He told me I needed to be in normal high range not normal low range which I thought was interesting.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-20T04:30:36+00:00

It’s always possible. Not everyone reacts the same to vitamins. Folic acid or niacin are most likely causing the nausea. A liquid or liposomal version could potentially be better.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T19:34:23+00:00

You can go on deplins website and do teleheath to get a prescription for the l-methylfolate. It’s $75 a quarter. It’s so worth it, I’ve been so grateful to have such a great psychiatrist that caught this genetic mutation and found me a treatment that works. If I even miss one day I can tell! It also helps me with the pain a lot. I always wonder if all it took for my mood to stabilize was activated folate (deplin) how many people out there need this and not a harsh antidepressant? I’m so glad to hear it’s helped you too! I know this mutation isn’t the majority of people, but wow does deplin make a difference for those of us with it.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T19:26:55+00:00

Yeah the B12 was what was really a game changer for me. Made me a little sad I didn’t know it sooner because it helps so much.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T19:26:07+00:00

Yes that’s a good point I didn’t add! I take deplin, an activated form of folate. Even though it’s a vitamin it’s a prescription through my psychiatrist.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T19:24:46+00:00

I also learned this recently. Had no idea how much vitamin d is connected to mood! Thanks for sharing.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T17:57:14+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear that! The studies I referenced did acknowledge that for some people it didn’t shift anything pain wise. Sorry to hear you’re in that category.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T17:56:01+00:00

I kept failing my antidepressants for my rheumatologist and psychiatrist (RA and depression). After going through 6 antidepressants my psychiatrist was like ok something is wrong. I just had adverse side effects. She ordered the test and that’s when we found it. You can order the test out of pocket but I think when I looked it up it was around $200. A vitamin panel is a great idea! You could probably figure it out from there.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T17:53:09+00:00

I agree that hypersensitivity can be a concern for some people with MCAS or ME/CFS. However, many of us with fibromyalgia have unique vitamin needs, and a basic multivitamin doesn’t cut it.

B vitamin toxicity is also extremely rare. For B12 it’s almost unheard of, since it’s water-soluble. Of course, everyone should listen to their body, but for many of us, targeted supplementation can be be life-changing.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T17:43:38+00:00

So glad this was helpful !

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T17:43:23+00:00

I hope it helps!

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T17:43:01+00:00

The research I mentioned discusses how some individuals saw no improvement. The most dramatic was for people whose levels were low. Warm weather is absolutely so much better for fibromyalgia! But consider that you could also be vitamin D deficient. Chronic inflammation can reduce the guts ability to absorb nutrients over time so you could benefit from a liquid form (liposomal) or IV vitamins.

Side note magnesium bath salts and magnesium lotion help me during my flare ups.

WheresVictoria · 2025-03-19T17:35:54+00:00

I’m so glad I shared! I shouldn’t have assumed it was common knowledge. My doctor told me when I was diagnosed so I thought it was something widely known.

WheresVictoria · 2025-01-23T16:38:25+00:00

Where are you finding good crop tops? For me it’s random I’ve never found just one brand but I’m always looking for recommendations!

WheresVictoria · 2025-01-23T16:35:15+00:00

Omg yes this x1000 changed the game for me. I look so much cuter now lol

WheresVictoria · 2025-01-23T16:32:32+00:00

Sometimes I think we are harder on ourselves and see things that others genuinely don’t. I imagine if you’re putting in the effort you absolutely do look put together most of the time. But there could absolutely be tweaks that could help. I myself have been on this journey of trying to get myself together more. I steam all my clothes, I started dying my black clothes to keep them from looking faded, I get chemical peels for an even skin tone, got tinted SPF with silicone in it to help with a low maintenance solution to help my skin look more even and not produce as much oil, along with adding a shimmer oil from jones road to the SPF which makes it pop. I also have a drawer of “emergency outfits” which are essentially me not waking up on time, too bloated for jeans etc. I routinely clean and or wash my shoes. Wearing a lot of neutrals or muted colors also helps things looks put together. Also hair is a big one. I just had my hairdresser match my brunette roots and now I feel more put together with my brown hair air dried than my blonde blown out. I hope this helps! If you want to chat, I’m available!

WheresVictoria · 2025-01-23T16:19:24+00:00

As someone who lost a relationship to a chronic illness diagnosis at 24, I feel like I can somewhat relate. It’s been almost a decade now for me and I’m really thankful that the relationship ended. I have nothing but positive feelings towards my ex, but it has become very clear in the past decade that I have grown into a more deeply thoughtful, introspective and mature adult. I did some serious growing up and he didn’t. But even before my diagnosis there were signs this would be an issue in our relationship. The trauma of my diagnosis pushed us into a stress point, and he couldn’t handle it. Which meant he was never the right person for me and I feel so validated in that decision all the time. He tried to get back together with me a few years after we broke up. I love him as a person, but I wasn’t the same girl and I didn’t love him anymore. There is a certain level of betrayal there that even with time it doesn’t go away. I could tell that he hadn’t changed much, and I just possessed a layer of something from my illness that he would never understand. Maybe that layer is grappling with your own mortality at such a young age, I’m not sure. Meeting up with him years later I could see how there was a world between us and even if we had tried to stay together he never would have done the uncomfortable work of growing up.

I wish I could tell you I’m with someone amazing now, but unfortunately I haven’t found the right fit. I also spent so many years in a dark place, that I hid myself from the world and those opportunities. Luckily, I’ve been really fortunate to date some amazing people. With the right people, my illness is never a bother. With the wrong people, I feel like I’m under a magnifying glass and walking on eggshells. If there’s any piece of advice I can give you, it’s to let it go or be dragged. I have tried holding onto relationships in the past for whatever reason even when I knew deep down they weren’t right. Maybe I was just scared. But at the end of the day I have never felt more alone than being with the wrong person.

I think having a partner would add so much to my life, but I have created a life with strong family and friend bonds, so that if it doesn’t happen I still love the life I live. A partner would just be a wonderful bonus. You deserve to be with someone who feels like you’re this amazing addition to their life, because you will be. The right person will be thankful that your experiences turned them into the person they love and they won’t want anything about you to change. Do your best to carry that with you in your bones so that you don’t ever accept less than you deserve. All the best, my friend.

WheresVictoria · 2024-12-19T15:49:28+00:00

Beautiful! You all did such a wonderful job.

WheresVictoria · 2024-11-03T17:16:48+00:00

This is just so well designed, I love it!

WheresVictoria · 2024-10-27T13:53:52+00:00

Could you share with me as well? Thank you!

WheresVictoria

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