<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I originally posted about my success using vitamin B12 to reduce symptoms of 
carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) & thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).  Someone 
suggested I try Thi Chi, expecially the goose neck.  Someone else responded 
that they got relief from CTS by increasing the ratio of T3 thyroid/T4 
thyroid.  He said that an adequate amount of T3 is important for reducing 
swelling around the nerve sheaths.  Someone else suggested I take B12 shots 
rather than oral tablets as the tablets aren't well absorbed.  This issue 
will be address below.

I received an interesting question from Paula that jogged my memory.  Here 
is her question followed by my reply.  Valerie in Tacoma
-----------------------------
Q:  Are you sure it's B12?  I take 500mg of B6 twice a day (am supposed to 
do it 3x but I always forget lunchtime), and it has made a huge difference.  
No more pain, almost no numbness. I still don't have a good grip though.  
Paula

A:  Yes, I'm certain it's B12.  It's funny you ask that.  I seemed to 
remember reading about taking vitamin B6 for CTS years ago.  But I never 
tried it because I wasn't having a CTS problem at the time.  When I got this 
horrid flare up a couple months back, I visited my friend, the medical 
transcriptionist & asked her which B vitamin she takes for CTS.  She told me 
it was B12.  She showed me the bottle & I double checked it.  I tried it & 
it nearly eliminated my symptoms after 5 days, so I figured I got my B's 
mixed up!  She also told me that her boss gets B12 shots monthly and gets 
CTS pain whenever she's due for another shot.  I also take monthly B12 
shots, but I didn't get CTS symptom relief until I started taking daily oral 
doses of B12 (4,000 mcg/day).  I still get a little positional numbness here 
& there, but it's so much better than it was & there's no more pain at all.  
And if I miss a dose or two of B12, I do feel the difference.

So ... it appears that both B12 and B6 will help CTS since B6 helps you & 
B12 helps me.  I think I'll try adding B6 to my regimen.  Who knows, maybe 
it will totally cure it?  Perhaps you would benefit from adding large doses 
of B12?  Also, I take it twice a day on an empty stomach for better 
absorption.  I find it works best that way.  I take 2000 mcg B12 first thing 
in the morning with my thyroid pills and last thing at night with my 
melatonin.  Works like a charm.  Nothing like a good night's sleep.
-----------
(One week later:) I want to add here that I have added B6 to my routine, 500 
mg morning & night.  Every tiny bit of numbness has disappeared.  I feel 
like I have normal arms again!

~Valerie in Tacoma

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