posted
Hi all. I am just starting my long-term antibiotic treatment and am looking for supplement advice.
The Dr. I am seeing suggests a brand of supplements and dietary aids called USANA. They come in packs of mixed vitamins, antioxidants and minerals... It gets pretty darn expensive, too.
The Burr guide I have lists a (very large) handful of required supplements for Lyme patients and promotes Pharmanex, Researched Nutritionals, and Nature Made.
I am kind of at a loss.
My only source of advice on these topics are these forums.
My monetary funds being low, I was hoping for some opinions and advice on what you have all been taking and what brands are reliable.
What are the things I deff need to be taking and what can I get away with omitting...
My main symptoms are extreme fatigue, joint pain, and neurological pain (intense burning pain- I feel like my neck, knees, etc are on FIRE...) in my joints.
I haven't really had too many neuro symptoms excepting marked cognitive loss and mood issues. Thank you so much for your advice and help.
Posts: 10 | From Central/Western MA- Pioneer Valley | Registered: Jul 2010
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i don't know if this will help but here's what i take:
fish oil ubiguinol (basically coq10) calcium magnesium glucosamine with msm eye vitamin centrum for women over 50 milk thistle (when i can remember!!)
i get mine at costco cause they're larger sizes and cheaper.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
it is overwhelming and expensive. You do not have to take everything. Explain to your doc that you cannot afford it all. Ask him to make you a list: what does he think is most important, what does he think you should start with.
Obviously, you do need to take probiotics because of the antibiotics: I would make that the priority. The antibiotics interfere with some vitamins, so a good vitamin-mineral supplement would be next, but you can choose something affordable: something is better than nothing, right?!
Build from there - something to support the liver would be good, calcium-magnesium would be good, and then the list goes on forever, enough to drive you crazy.
Shop around: I have settled with iHerb.com and vitaminshoppe.com, but there are so many, even amazon sells supplements.
Then there are the foods: eat healthy when you can!
Posts: 424 | From Connecticut, USA | Registered: Nov 2003
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
If your funds are low, a good multivitamin maybe some glucosamine with msm for joints, magnesium & B-12 (lyme patients need more mag and B-12-- lyme depletes it)and milk thistle for your liver and maybe some extra vitamin C.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
I think it's just as bad to supplement with too much of something, as it is to be low. My advice , since you are just beginning treatment, is to go very slow. Only add one supplement at a time. as you would only add one antibiotic at a time.
Listen to your body. If you can, get energy tested to know what your body really does need. We've all spent loads of money on supplements that we either never used, didn't like, or couldn't tolerate.
Here are the main things you need: 1) Good probiotic to replenish the good bacteria. My recommendation is VSL#3 which can be ordered at Costco for $43. There are other good probiotics like Theralac, but make sure there are many billions of good live bacteria.
2) Something to protect your liver like milk thistle, unless you're on Mepron.
3) A good binder like activated charcoal or apple pectin, taken two hours away from antibiotics.
4) A good systemic enzyme like bromelain to start. Thorne is a good brand. If you have leg stiffness or tightness, this will really help. It will also thin your blood and potentiate the antibiotics because it dissolves biofilm.
5) A good antioxidant like alpha lipoic acid, preferably a high grade brand. I use Metabolic Maintenance.
6) A good colon cleanse or magnesium product to move the toxins out of your body, so they don't recirculate and make you feel sick. I use Oxy-Powder and love it.
Posts: 964 | From san diego | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Thank you for all the suggestions! Deff feel a little more confident for my trip to the Vitamin store today.
Posts: 10 | From Central/Western MA- Pioneer Valley | Registered: Jul 2010
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