Every time I have tried Chlorella, I got more pains all over the body. I have read that more Chlorella is better than less but frankly I'm afraid to take a large dose fearing it would cause even more pains.
Anybody else having this problem?
Posted by breathwork (Member # 567) on :
I began taking chlorella this week for three days...I felt absolutley awful while taking it.
My gut was a wreck, totally bloated...on top of the zith and flagyl...not much fun.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
Bear with me
There are over 70,000 species of algae. Some are highly nutritious, others are extremely toxic. Watershed Chlorella is a very specific strain of algae known as Chlorella Pyrensoida.The only other algae we recommend is Spirulina Pacific, which the Watershed also sells. While there are other consumable algae such as Duniella, a blue-green algae, none approach the nutriceutical properties of Chlorella and Spirulina. There algae's Spirulina is the common name for human and animal food supplements produced primarily from two species of cyanobacteria. People should be reassured that both Spirulina (blue-green algae) and Chlorella (green algae) are safe, nutritious and healthy. Gree+Blue
Maybe why it bothers the stomach and causes aches is that it helps the immune system recognize borrelia because i think they may be distantly related???
Posted by Nebula2005 (Member # 8244) on :
I too had increased pain with chlorella, and was afraid to take more. It was like herxing.
I'm semi-allergic to fish and shellfish so I thought maybe histamine was an issue.
I also had this happen with cholestyramine.
I've taken activated charcoal with the only bad effect being a little diarrhea. We have a big bottle of it, but it's very messy that way. I would say look for it in capsules at the health food store. It's safe to use if you don't take it for more than three days in a row and be sure to drink plenty of water with it.
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
I can't tolerate even a drop of spirulina, chlorella, blue-green algae, etc.
I have been able to build up over time to tolerate a dose of cholestyramine. Maybe you can look into that.
Jill
Posted by BartonFink (Member # 10818) on :
Interesting.. I thought I was the only one! Jill, what kind of reaction do you get from chlorella exactly? I was thinking I could try chitosan next.
Posted by Nebula2005 (Member # 8244) on :
Barton Fink? I just caught that--like the movie?
Jill, how did you build up to be able to tolerate CSM? It would probably help me but it made me sicker than anything I've ever tried. (I apologize, Barton, for the digression away from chlorella.)
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jill E.: I can't tolerate even a drop of spirulina, chlorella, blue-green algae, etc.
I have been able to build up over time to tolerate a dose of cholestyramine. Maybe you can look into that.
Jill
Cholestyramine (Questran�, Questran Light�, Cholybar�) is a bile acid sequestrant, which binds bile in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent its reabsorption. It increases removal of bile acids from body by forming insoluble complexes in intestine, which are then excreted in feces. When bile acids are excreted, plasma cholesterol is converted to bile acid to normalize bile acid levels. The conversion of cholesterol lowers plasma cholesterol concentrations. Bile acid sequestrants are primarily used to treat hypercholesterolemia, but can also be used to treat the pruritus, or itching, that often occurs during liver failure due to the liver's inability to eliminate bile.
Other drugs should be taken at least one hour before or four to six hours after cholestyramine to reduce possible interference with absorption.
It is also used post ileal (part of the small bowel) resection in Crohn's disease to prevent diarrhoea. This is due to the fact that the ileum is where the bile acids are reabsorbed. So when this is resected the bile acids pass into the large bowel and pull water into the bowel due to their osmotic effect thereby causing diarrhoea. Cholestyramine prevents this by making them insoluble and therefore not osmotically active.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cholestyramine is used to lower levels of cholesterol in the blood and to treat the itching that is associated with liver disease. Cholestyramine chemically binds to bile salts in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby prevents the body from producing cholesterol.
Treatment
Cholestyramine is usually taken before meals. Measure each dose of the medication carefully and then add it to two to six ounces of water, milk, fruit juice, or another noncarbonated beverage. To avoid swallowing air while taking the medication, drink the mixture slowly. The powder can also be mixed with applesauce, cereal, crushed pineapple, or soup. You should never take cholestyramine dry because you might accidentally inhale the powder, and that could irritate your throat and lungs.
If you miss a dose of cholestyramine, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose of medication, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose of cholestyramine.
Cholestyramine does not cure hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol levels), but it will help to control the condition as long as you continue to take the medication as directed.
Side Effects
Minor: Anxiety, belching, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, gas, headache, hiccups, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or weight loss or gain. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
If cholestyramine makes you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position; and be careful on stairs.
Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about backaches; bloody or black, tarry stools; difficult or painful urination; fluid retention; muscle or joint pains; rash or irritation of the skin, tongue, or rectal area; ringing in the ears; swollen glands; tingling sensations; unusual bleeding or bruising; or unusual weakness.
Interactions
Cholestyramine interacts with a number of other types of medications:
Cholestyramine interferes with the absorption of a number of other medications, including phenylbutazone, thiazide diuretics (water pills), digoxin, penicillins, tetracycline, oral vancomycin, phenobarbital, folic acid, iron, thyroid hormones, cephalexin, clindamycin, and trimethoprim, as well as with the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). The effectiveness of these medications, therefore, will be decreased by cholestyramine. To avoid this interaction, take the other medications one hour before or four to eight hours after a dose of cholestyramine.
Cholestyramine may prevent the absorption of warfarin, a blood thinner, reducing its effect. However, cholestyramine may also increase the effects of warfarin by depleting the body of vitamin K. Close monitoring of the effects of warfarin on the blood are needed if you take both these medications. At least six hours should separate your doses of warfarin and cholestyramine. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially those listed above.
Warnings
Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially any reactions to cholestyramine.
Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had a bleeding disorder, a biliary obstruction, heart disease, hemorrhoids, gallstones or gallbladder disease, kidney disease, any malabsorption problem, stomach ulcers, or an obstructed intestine.
Cholestyramine should be used only in conjunction with dietary therapy, a weight-reduction plan, and/or correction of other conditions that could be causing the elevated levels of blood cholesterol.
Cholestyramine contains the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (including fainting, rash, shortness of breath) in certain susceptible individuals.
The color of cholestyramine powder may vary from batch to batch. This variation in color does not alter the effectiveness of the medication.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although cholestyramine appears to be safe (because very little is absorbed into the bloodstream), extensive studies in humans during pregnancy have not been conducted. In addition, be sure to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. It is not known whether cholestyramine passes into breast milk. However, cholestyramine can decrease the absorption of some vitamins in the mother, which could result in decreased availability of the vitamins for the nursing infant.
Posted by clairenotes (Member # 10392) on :
Make sure to read through the thread listed below. It may offer some useful ideas on how to minimize your reactions. Such things as quantity and quality of chlorella are discussed and seem to have some significance.
For instance, you may need to take more chlorella to reduce reactions, or you may need to switch brands. The chlorella needs to be grown in a pure environment. If it is not, it might absorb toxins/metals within its' environment before we ingest it. Not a good situation.
Make sure to read in full for Gigi's suggestions (mostly toward the end of the thread).
I am still learning about it myself. Didn't get a chance to read Tree's research. Maybe there is some overlap.
Claire
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Hi again,
I get instant, massive brain fog from any of the green products. I realize it could be die-off, but it makes me unable to function.
One nutritionist I saw believed that many brands of chlorella are contaminated and there was only one brand he liked. But I don't know what it was. At that point, I got Lyme and moved on in my treatment.
In terms of cholestyramine, I only take it once a day which is not enough. But because it binds medications and supplements, I can't figure out how else to fit it in.
I started out with less than one scoop and built up slowly over a long time to the one scoop (or packet). I got a headache at first, eventually I tolerated it. I never got any other problems with it, which is miraculous given that I react to many things.
I have heard that chitosan is a good option if you don't have a shellfish allergy.
Take care, Jill
Posted by Nebula2005 (Member # 8244) on :
Thank you, Jill.
I was taking it four times a day plus Welchol (a similar drug.) My now-ex doctor couldn't understand how difficult it was to fit it in with other important things, including meals!!
He also didn't believe how sick I was from it.
Welchol gave me muscle aches like people describe when they take statins. I couldn't sleep my legs hurt so bad. Maybe it was pulling toxins out of the muscles, or maybe it was something else. It was intolerable, so I'm stuck with a whole freaking bottle of this stuff.
Yesterday after many days of feeling terrible, I tried some of my own advice and took some activated charcoal.
Either it's a coincidence, a placebo, or whatever, I feel much better today.
I will look into the chitosan.
I'm not taking any antibiotics right now, but I can believe that don't get rid of toxins easily--which is what the HLA test results said.
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
Chlorella knocks me on my butt. I stuck with it for a long time and kept increasing the amount I took. I simply felt awful the whole time. I tried many brands.
So, my sister took a little (she is well) and, her entire body broke out in a horrible rash. Yikes. I tossed my green stuff that day.
Guess it just doesn't agree with everyone. Wheat grass is ok for me. It's not the same but is used similarly. Also, eating lots of fresh, organic greens is really good and not processed.
Posted by Annxyz (Member # 9097) on :
It makes me feel REALLY sick all over. I can not be sure that it is not an adverse reaction rather than a herx . I feel sick as a dog on it !
Posted by Nebula2005 (Member # 8244) on :
Chlorella was such a disappointment--it did feel like a herx, but you're right, it's hard to tell when something makes your symptoms worse if it is really a herx.
I've always been a little sensitive to shrimp. It gives me stomach cramps and diarrhea. Since I've been sick, fish is even worse. It makes my skin flush, my heart race, and shuts down digestion for days. Tuna, which I love, is the worst, salmon is a close second.
I have similar reactions to glucosamine.
That's why I wondered if my reaction to chlorella was like eating fish for me.
Wheat grass! That's new. Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
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