About 6 weeks ago I had an appointment with my GP to discuss reoccurring cold sensations in my feet, severe muscle weakness (barely able to walk up the stairs or at all), fatigue, and it seems I pull muscles just by thinking about moving. I had a blood test which showed everything was normal except for Vitamin D3 (classified by my doctor as being as low as anyone can go) and B12. At the time I was told to take OTC supplements for the B12, and given loading dose tablets of the D3 (to take one weekly for 7 weeks). After 4 weeks, there was no improvement. Things seemed to be getting worse. The coldness in my feet progressed to severe pain, tingling, frequent pins and needles. My legs are so bad that I can barely walk. So I made another appointment. This time the GP prescribed B12 injections, 3 times a week for 2 weeks (total of 6 injections). He also said that I was experiencing “peripheral neuropathy”.
Today I had my 4th injection. I only have 2 left, to be had on Wednesday & Friday.
The GP initially said I would feel improvements by my 2nd jnjection. Last Monday was my first injection and almost immediately the pain became worse. Last Monday evening I was in tears from how bad the pain was. My legs are fluctuating between being worse or the same. There’s no improvement. I can’t shower, I can barely manage to walk to the bathroom. I can’t sit comfortably because my legs are hurting, my feet are hurting. I have an elderly dog (14) and she relies on me. Last night I lifted her onto my knee for a cuddle, she’s a big girl (Dalmatian), and what used to be so easy for me, caused me to pull a muscle in my upper arm and neck.
But I think the worst of it came at bedtime. I couldn’t sleep, or get comfortable. My hands were hurting, legs hurting, feet hurting. It was unbearable.
I’m terrified of strong painkillers, but I’ve had to take co-codamol at bedtime for nearly 2 weeks and last night, that didn’t even take the edge off the pain. Ibuprofen or paracetamol don’t even touch the sides. Doctors don’t seem eager to help aside from telling me to take it easy and wait for the 6th injection. But I’m losing hope that it’s going to get any better.
Please someone tell me that this is normal and I’ve just got to trust the process, because I’m losing hope and slowly, my sanity.
For reference, I’m UK (England), 27F. I also have severe anxiety which prevents me from leaving the house frequently (hence the probable cause of my D3 deficiency).