[I]’ve been in troubleshooting mode since Thursday when I bumped up my methylation supplements to 5 mg B-12 and 4 mg folate. For the first time, I also took all of my folate and B12 right after breakfast instead of spreading it out over the day. My energy was great for a three-hour meeting and then after lunch I got lightheaded. While it faded a little, it was pretty constant until bedtime. It’s an oppressive lightheadedness that makes it hard to concentrate or remember anything. It even made it difficult for me to nap.
The next day I cut my B12 and folate down to 1/5 of Thursday’s dose, but I was still lightheaded.
At first, I thought I might have created a potassium deficiency by over-driving methylation. Supplementing potassium and eating high-potassium foods, however, did not have any effect and I was disgusted by the taste of potassium chloride in water.
Then, I found this bit written by Freddd on Phoenix rising:
The “dizzy and lightheaded” is a generally a good sign with taking mb12. It’s on the road to healing based on the experience of many.
Today, I took 2 mg B-12 and 1.6 mg folate a few hours apart and got the same lightheaded/confusion reaction… and then took 100 mg niacin which stopped it cold.
Now, I know for sure I was experiencing a startup reaction and I can also see that there is an accumulation of these substances because when I first started these amounts did not bother me. As I consider what dosages might make sense going forward, this page has a lot of discussion about dosing on it, here is Freddd’s recipe for B12 startup for people with big reactions and here’s general startup reaction info.
While researching I also came across this mention of the other form of B12 (adenosylcobalamin) recommended by Freddd:
Also, don’t forget the other half of the b12 equation, AdoCbl. That can often get rid of afternoon fade and lack of exercise tolerance and so on.
THAT sounds irresistible.
I’ve got too much going on at the same time, however, to do much more than stumble around in the dark like this, relying on trial and error. Here’s a general update:
- Last week I completed my 7th round and without ALA it was relatively easy as I had hoped. I took 75 mg of DMSA every four hours. Until I’ve worked out my supplement issues I think I will continue to avoid ALA.
- I completed two weeks on a very strict low sulfur/thiol and low folic acid diet. My metabolism and digestive system feels calmer.
- My endurance and energy are up – enough that I played a little soccer with the kids in the yard on two consecutive Friday evenings and injured myself both times. Might have broken my wrist last night and took some Percocet.
- Symptoms of exercise intolerance and pushing my activity limits may have faded a little. I’m talking about the aftereffects here.
- My sense of smell has sharpened a lot.
- My pee has darkened and become a little smelly and I noticed yesterday pretty strong body odor after I injured myself. Got out of the shower this morning and still smelled so I got back in for a second round. Also have a few pimples on my face. I think these are supposed to be detox symptoms related to iodine supplementation.
- Have had this strange sensation that my body energy has improved (less hypoglycemic) but my brain chemistry has not kept pace. Naps after lunch are helping. Maybe cutting vitamin E will help also.
- Just learned that I need to separate my vitamin C and iodine supplementation by two hours because vitamin C converts iodine to iodide – thanks Viking!
Here’s what I’m eating – listed as combinations that I enjoy:
- bacon and spaghetti squash
- acorn squash and butter
- yams covered with cinnamon and mixed with coconut flakes
- chicken thighs with skin and little chunks of ginger
- artichoke hearts
- beef brisket
- roasted turkey
- diced zucchini sautéed in butter with sweet corn
- lamb chops
- ground turkey
- coconut flakes mixed with cinnamon and cayenne pepper
- shrimp
That’s about it, I don’t have much variety and hope to add a couple more things. Definitely will try butternut squash soon.
My notes:
Round 7 (2.5 days) – 75 mg DMSA every 4 hours, total chelation days to date: 18.5
- Monday, April 29: increased to 4 mg methyl B12 and 3.2 mg metafolin. Very active day. Iodine bumped up to 10 mg.
- Tuesday, April 30: another very active day and exhausted at the end.
- Wednesday, May 1: increasing zinc to 75 mg, another very active day, wiped out at the end. Used 50 mg 5HTP at bedtime.
- Thursday, May 2 (off): increased methyl B12 to 5 mg and became very lightheaded in the afternoon.