On my 2nd visit to an LLMD, I was told to take Vitamin C, initially 4,000 mg. a day, but increasing daily by 1,000 mgs, gradually going up to around 14,000 mgs a day. My herbalist and others tell me this is not good, that it can result in kidney damage and other problems. Would appreciate hearing from others about this. (I've only had LD about a year, and have been on abx almost the entire time.) Thanks much! - Friend PAM
Posted by ESG (Member # 4816) on :
Sounds like a lot to me! I think I was told to take 1 gram a day; when I started, using a good brand. I got itchy all over. I switched to a brand that also has Quercetin, and take mine in 2 daily doses of 500 mg. each.
Apparently you will just pee out the excess vitamin C; but that does not explain why I got so itchy. The vitamin consultant at the health food store said one has to start C slowly and build up.
Your dose sounds like a lot to me ...
ESG
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
I currently take between 4 and 6,000mg daily. It keeps my blood pressure down. I have never heard of Vit C causing any harm other than diarrhea. That is considered bowel tolerance. When you hit bowel tolerance, you are supposed to back up 1 gram and that is your ideal dose.
I also read that healthy people can only tolerate a small amount of C like 250 mg, but sick people can tolerate much more. As much as 10,000mg daily.
My doctor has me on high dose Vit C and I have been on it over 1 yr. So far, I have never even found bowel tolerance.
Luvs
Posted by klutzo (Member # 5701) on :
I cannot tolerate more than 500 mgs. of Vit. C daily, despite being disabled by Lyme for over 21 years.
I also read we can't absorb more than about 160 mgs. orally per day (Dr. Weil). I guess higher amts. could be doing some good on their journey through the body, even if they do get peed out.
The only kidney damage I've heard of was two Lyme patients who go to the same Cardiologist I go to. They used the IV form of Vit. C. One is now on dialysis after only two IV tx, the other is dead of kidney failure. Do you think maybe that warning about kidneys was referring to high dose IV tx?