Vitamin B6 for dealing with pain

galz

Hello there,
My dad has arthritis in his hands that cause him severe pain-he would get up in the middle of the night from the pain and would have to place his hands in water to help calm it down. He hadn't slept well for a while and was prescribed a number of heavy-duty pain killers-had to take 4 different kinds a day and was quite reluctant because of their strength and the toll they might take on the liver.
My sister then gave him to try vitamin B6 and it worked wonders. He's been taking it for 3 weeks now and nothing else, claims that he can't feel the pain anymore and sleeps great. It was a complete fluke that my sister gave him this supplement, so I am assuming there might be people out there who haven't tried it themselves. I'm sure it won't work for everybody but might as well try.

stickywicket

That's interesting, galz, and thank you for letting us know.

However, I'd suggest a word of caution. The NHS Guidelines for Vit B6 are that we can get all we need from eating a balanced diet.

Sources include pork, chicken, turkey, cod, bread, whole cereals such as oatmeal, wheat germ and rice, eggs, vegetables, soya beans, peanuts, milk, potatoes and some fortified breakfast cereals

Taking more than 200mg a day of vitamin B6, or taking large amounts for a long time, can lead to a loss of feeling in the arms and legs, known as peripheral neuropathy. Generally, the symptoms are reversible, so once you stop taking supplements, the symptoms usually stop.

However, in a few cases when people have taken large amounts of vitamin B6, especially for more than a few months, the effect has been irreversible.

I'd advise your father to check this out with his GP.

Soretoe2

Hello galz, just wanted to say that Stickywicket is absolutely right.
If you are deficient in Vit B6 a course or two is very helpful. Too much can be just that - too much.
Perhaps you could sit and chat to him about his diet and make sure he gets enough from his food and encourage him to eat more foods rich in B6.
I know change is difficult but now he's experienced how much better he is with more B6 in his system he may agree to a diet change rather than the pills.
Get him to go along to the gp and have a blood test to check that there's not too much of a build up in his system.

frogmorton

Welcome to the forum Galz

Nice to meet you and interesting to hear of your Dad's response to vitamin B6. I am so glad for him that he is in no pain at all now. Long may it last

I am sure your sister hasn't given him too much of the vitamin and that you will check that out yourself.

Let's hope no harm done and that he conitinues to feel well.

Love

Toni xx