One of the discussions I had with Superhero Neurologist Dr. B was about medications. I am not a fan of loading up on a bunch of them, especially if I'm treating symptoms only. If I can manage them another way, that's what I'd rather do. One thing I am willing to take is vitamins or supplements that my doctors recommend if my labs show that I need them or if there is research that shows they will have a positive effect. Here is a list of
Non-Meds That I Take Regularly
1. Multi-vitamin formulated for women
2. Vitamin D3
3. Vitamin B12
4. Magnesium
5. Iberogast
Because I am on Topamax (generic name topiramate), my body's ability to absorb many vitamins is compromised, especially Vitamin D. I had a severe Vitamin D deficiency several years ago that made me desperately ill and set me on a search to multiple doctors to find out what was wrong with me. It took me a year to recover my health. As a result, I must supplement D3 for the rest of my life. The same thing goes for B12; my levels for that vitamin were also low, and it helps with peripheral neuropathy. I take Magnesium to help with migraines and balance. The Iberogast was not prescribed, but it's an herbal supplement (drops) that help to calm my stomach and gut. Digestive problems are another symptom of ME that I deal with. I find this supplement very helpful for that, and it's just stuff like chamomile, lemon balm, and peppermint.
Some people call vitamins and supplements the ingredients for expensive pee. I'm following doctor's orders, so I feel vindicated. How do you feel about vitamins and supplements? Do you take very many?
"Ingredients for expensive pee" Ha. A would agree with that, but I am devoted to my supplements for skin, hair, nails, joints, etc. etc. I think I want to give Iberogast a try. I've had nausea every day lately--it's an aftereffect of grief and will not benefit from actual medication, but this supplement sounds like it could provide some relief.
ReplyDeleteI really do hope your migraine has receded by now.
Oh, Nance, so sorry to hear about your migraine! I hope you’re feeling better by now. If that happens again, just put up this notice:
ReplyDeleteDEAR READERS:
I REGRET TO SAY THAT…
I AM HAVING A SHITFUL DAY.
HOPE TO WRITE AGAIN TOMORROW.
OTC Vitamins: The only ones my doctor has asked me to take right now are Vitamin D and Calcium (due to my bone density tests). I have been reading up on vitamins recently, and B12 + magnesium look like good additions. I pee all day long, so I figure that dilutes the expense, right? Lol.
For years I felt like we can get our nutrients through food, so just eat right and you will be fine. More recently, due to medications that I take and menopause, I’ve changed my ways and take several. I don’t always remember to take them, but often. I have a supplement that is D3, Calcium, Magnesium, and K2. I think the K2 helps with absorption, but probably I’m remembering that wrong. Just looking at the label, and each serving is 4 tablets. I’ve been taking 1. Why is life this way?
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ReplyDeleteUgh on the migraine, Nance. I hate that for you. You've got enough on your plate.
ReplyDeleteI had stopped taking all my supplements while trying to get my thyroid medication regulated after my thyroidectomy. I was making good progress with my thyroid meds, improving greatly each month but I was having trouble sleeping and having some other issues so I decided to resume taking my D3 with K1, K2 and Stress B Complex. They seemed to be helping almost immediately but then I did my monthly thyroid blood work and it had gone completely in the wrong direction. So now I have stopped them again and will re-evaluate after new blood work on Monday. I am really hoping that my numbers have started moving in the right direction again. It's possible I can resume my supplements if that are. I honestly didn't realize that I had to take them at least 4 hours apart from the thyroid meds. I thought it was only an hour as it is with food. As someone intimated, why is it all so complicated? Pretty much everything in life seems like it should be easier than it is. Anyway, I do think there can a lot of value in taking supplements. Both my B and D levels are at the bottom of the range. I also take supplements (digestive enzymes and activated charcoal) when I've been "glutened" to recover. They help tremendously but can also affect my thyroid medication absorption so I have to be careful with those as well.
Shirley
p.s. Sorry about the deleted comment. I accidentally hit Publish prematurely.
I relate to this. I don't like to take many RX if I can help it. I stopped taking my anti inflammatory in June. It helped with the pain and swelling in my knuckles, but I was still in pain - so why bother. Coach heard about something called Sweetamine or something, so I just started drinking that in a small bit of protein shake. It tastes like literal garbage, so I refuse to ruin my entire shake with it. I take Miralax 2x a day - don't get me started on the issues in my gut that no GI within a 20 mile radius of my house can figure out. I have SIBO and will apparently never not have it, so in order to sleep more than 3 -4 hours a night (gut pain wakes me up and then it's over - difficult to function) I take a low dose of an antidepressant that calms down the GI trac. Swell, but I hate it. I love what it does for me, but I'd rather they figure out what's wrong and fix it. This is, the last time I checked, the year 2025, right? That med makes me gain weight, so most days I now workout close to 2 hours to keep the extra LBs away. I take magnesium, D3, B12, and folic acid too. I also take an RX that's an antacid - 30 min before I wake up. Otherwise, the acid in my gut interfered with my ability to sleep at night. Why? Again, I feel like they should be able to figure that out. I suspect it's related to SIBO. SIBO sucks. (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). I hope you feel better!
ReplyDeleteMy father's parents took supplements (in addition to actual medication) for decades and they made it to 89 (Grandpa) and 93 (Grandma), I believe. I do not take supplements because I simply do not want to live that long.
ReplyDeleteWell, truthfully, I don't really take supplements because I've been nomadic for something like 80% of the last six years, and it's a pain in the ass to try and keep any habits going when you're changing locations several times a month.