Tulsa World: Vitamin B6 can ease symptoms of nerve pain

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Vitamin B6 can ease symptoms of nerve pain

By SUZY COHEN Dear Pharmacist
Published: 9/13/2008 2:10 AM
Last Modified: 9/13/2008 2:21 AM

Question: I take an antibiotic every day (Septra) because I get chronic urinary tract infections. I also take a diuretic (Lasix) for high blood pressure. In the last few months, I have felt depressed and developed weird nerve pain in my hands and legs. Could it be my medicine? What can I do for this? The doctor wants to put me on Lyrica for the nerve pain and Wellbutrin for the depression. J.A., Orlando, Fla.

Answer: This has vitamin B6 deficiency written all over it. Your antibiotic and diuretic may be the source of your misery because both of those medications are drug muggers of vitamin B6. A drug mugger is a drug that mugs your body of a vital nutrient, reducing natural levels of your vitamins or minerals. In this case, sulfa antibiotics and water pills may have caused a B6 deficiency. The end result leaves you stressed out, tired, depressed, irritable and more prone to heart disease.

This vitamin is so effective at boosting mood, I often suggest it to women who have PMS issues, particularly breast tenderness, depression or tearfulness. Try about 50 to 100 mg per day, two weeks before your cycle begins. B6 protects your nerves, too, and a deficiency may cause weird neurological sensations like pins and needles, numbness, even carpal tunnel pain. Other medications on the drug mugger list for vitamin B6 include HCTZ, Vaseretic, Dyazide, Maxzide, Evista, hormone replacement drugs containing estradiol and birth control pills.

So what can you do? Put these vitamin B6-rich foods on your plate:

spinach, greens, baked yellowfin tuna or cod, cauliflower, beans, bananas, raw celery, asparagus, broccoli, garlic, turmeric, watermelon and nuts.

Suzy Cohen is the author of "The 24- Hour Pharmacist." For more information, visit www.tulsaworld.com/DearPharmacist.

By SUZY COHEN Dear Pharmacist

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