I've just purchased cat's claw, 500mg capsules, how many times per day should I be taking them. anyone have any suggestions on this? Does it matter if I take it in the morning, or evening, both?
Posted by magaro (Member # 12948) on :
I take 375 mg 3x a day. Some people have told me that this is too much, but that is what my LLMD prescribed.
I am not really sure what is the right amount but this is what I am taking.
Posted by DesperationIn (Member # 13121) on :
I am taking 3 of 500mg capsules, 3 times daily (9 per day) as per the Buhner protocol dose. Buhner's book Healing Lyme says high doses of these herbs are necessary, but it's a guessing game as to what will actually work.
I just started antibiotic treatment a week ago and have ramped up on the Buhner herbs quicker than recommended, so I am not sure what if anything is helping since the herbs only have effects over the long term.
-Despin
Posted by DesperationIn (Member # 13121) on :
Oh- I forgot to mention. One alternative doctor I saw stated that cat's claw is tough on the kidneys. Buhner's book does not have this as a contraindication and seems to imply it is a safe herb with many positive effects. However, I will say drink a lot of water when taking it and throughout the day to lessen strain on kidneys and other organs. -Despin
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
I've been taking two 500 mg tablets, twice daily, for a long time. I recently ramped up to four 500 mg tablets, two to three times daily.
Have you had a chance to get Buhner's book? He suggested four tablets, four times daily.
Start with one capsule or tablet once daily, and build up. If your symptoms get worse, that may be a herxheimer reaction.
Buhner's book also suggests a number of things that can help to alleviate symptoms and aide the liver and kidneys in detoxifying the poisons.
When the Lyme bacteria break apart, their remains are toxic, and cause symptoms.
Carol
Posted by hardynaka (Member # 8099) on :
Dose varies from person to person and according to your own treatment (in which phase are you).
I usually test for very low doses. My mantenance dose is now 2 "00" capsules a day. About 800mg/ day, I think.
I would recommend starting in low doses and slowly ramp up.
Selma
Posted by cmty (Member # 12877) on :
thanks everyone, I think I'll start out slow and increase if I can, I go to see my LLMD on tuesday, so I'll definately discuss it with him. No, Carol, I did not get the book you suggested yet, I'm currently reading "Coping with Lyme Disease" Very encouraging so far, it's nice to feel like I'm not alone in this fight. Thanks everyone. I was fortunate enough to move my apt up 3 weeks, I had an ER visit this week, with feelings of dizziness, nausea, extreme pain, high blood pressure, etc. Doc was very nice, wanted me to update him after my visit to LLMD. He gave me a liter of IV fluid, some morphine, toradol, lab work, and sent me on my way. I'm anxious to hear how the conference in Harrisburg went today, I was not able to go, I don't trust myself driving long distances at this time, with the way I've been feeling lately. I have a relative who went, I'll have to ask him how it went. I've learned to appeciate the good days, today was one of them. It's amazing how different I could feel from one day to the next. Anyway, thanks again. Chris
Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :
For 6 months now I have been taking 2 of the nutramedix cat's claw capsules twice daily.
Just switched to samento tincture.
Posted by chamade (Member # 11472) on :
That's nothing..I have been taking 12x500mg capsules daily as per Bruhner.
Posted by Nal (Member # 6801) on :
I am supposed to go back on Cats Claw myself for Lyme. Has anyone actually gotten better while on it though?
Nancy
Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
Stephen Buhner the Master Herbalist recommends UP TO 16 capsules a day. I don't remember him ever saying anything about tablets, but I haven't read the book lately.
I never got up to his maximum of 16 Cat's Claw a day. I got up to the 12 a day, and was on it for over 21 months. Now I have been off Cat's Claw for a few weeks. But I still take Devil's Claw, Sarsaparilla, Olive leaf, Milk Thistle, Andrographis, Stephania Root, Periwinkle Tincture, Red Root tincture and Vitamin C. But now I am down to two times a day for all my herbs; instead of three times a day.
I only take my herbs WITH my meals, therefore why I never went to 4 times a day, and now down to two times a day as I only have two meals a day, usually.
IF you are ONLY taking Cat's Claw, that will probably NOT be enough to get a handle on your Lyme Disease.
And you need support for your liver and the rest of your lymph system. Red Root tincture is the very best herb to take for the liver and rest of it. Milk Thistle helps also. Expect huge herxes IF you do NOT take them. Especially if you are throwing in a few abx also. IF you are taking abx, but sure to take probiotics also.
Jim Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
hi Carol
just wondered what brand of cats claw you are taking?
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