LymeNet Flash: Milk Thistle and diarrhea

This is topic Milk Thistle and diarrhea in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by HeathO947 (Member # 2890) on :

Hi,

I just started taking milk thistle and I was wondering if anyone had any diarrhea while taking it and if it pasted on its own or if you had to take a break from it. I have been on milk thistle for three days. I had a headache yesterday, which I haven't had in awhile, so maybe it is just detoxing my liver. Thank for the input.

Thanks,
Heather

Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :

Hey hey..

I started milk thistle several years ago. I only took 1/2 the recommended dose.. which was 10 drops of the liquid extract... as I am quite sensitive to meds and KNEW better than to start full force.

Well, I thought I was gonna die.

It was like the flu hit me 100 times... and I was so stinking miserable.. YULK!!!

Needless to say I stopped everything at that point.

I learned later that you should start slowly... and I was told to do ONE drop a day rather than 20 drops. I didn't think it would do anything.. but if I tried to do 2 drops a day I got sick again.

It took me 18 months to get up to 20 drops a day.

So yes.. it can be hard on you as the liver detoxes.

I do 20 drops a day now.. every day. If I miss it a couple of days.. I actually notice it.

I can remember if I had the "runs" when I felt so sick.. but why not! Everything else felt bad! HA!

I hope you feel better soon! And if needed.. slow down a bit with it and work up slowly.

[Big Grin]

Posted by zil (Member # 12048) on :

I started on milk thistle about 6 yrs ago. I was diagnosed with Hemochromotosis so make sure I take it daily. I have never had a problem with it. I take the 1000mg softgels. Liz

Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :

I have never tried the liquid milk thistle but have found that certain brands of the capsules do make for... um... loose stools. Other brands do not. It's also different on an empty stomach than a full one.

I'd skip it for a few days and see if a smaller dose is easier on you.

(blah, blah, blah, not medical advice, just what I've noticed for me.)

Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :

No problems with Milk Thistle,but have you added magnesium recently that can cause diarrhea.

Most importantly, are you on good probiotics?Here is info on some good probiotics in case you are not taking enough or the best: http://www.truthaboutlymedisease.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=104

Take care.

Posted by HeathO947 (Member # 2890) on :

Thanks to everyone that responded to me. [Smile]

I just started Solaray brand Milk thistle. My mom got it from the health food store and the woman working there said that it is a great brand for detoxifying the liver. I am taking a few days break from it. I was surprised because I normally have a pretty strong stomach...but I guess the milk thistle was stronger this time. [Smile]

The bottle said to take one capsule a day with food, so I took mine after breakfast. Maybe I'll take one every second or even every third day till I can better tolerate it.

What brands of milk thistle does everyone else use? I am interested also in the liquid form.

Thanks,
Heather

Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :

My milk thistle is pill form from Metagenics (get it from my chiropractor). Also called silymarin. Hiker53