My daughter just started on this and by day 3 she started getting red and blotchy along her hairline. Her ears feel clogged and she has
some general malaise. Im assuming you can herx from this. Has anybody else had this experience?
I did a search already but was looking for more info.
Thanks,
Deb g
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Not sure exactly what all is in this, so be safe, I would stop it.
A herx is one thing but the red blotches could be quite another. She may be allergic to something in this.
Now, this may be a herx but, still, stop it. Reactions like this are counterproductive and could be dangerous.
Red blotches are just one sign of allergy. Another is restricted breath. If she has any trouble breathing, she may need emergency care.
The swelling of the ear tissue may precede that in the lungs.
It would be best to talk to her LLMD about this reaction. Now, this could be a herx but you'd need his or her guidance. The dose may need to be much lower or there may be a better choice.
There are other options, many. And other combinations that can help this be better tolerated (unless it's a true allergy).
Avoid acetaminophen. It blocks liver function. Details here, 1/3 of the way down:
TURMERIC ROOT - from: The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook
Plant profile -
[ 10-09-2012, 05:47 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Your bottle should list if there are any added ingredients. Still, it seems to be free of common allergens and it is a food. But, with all spices, the amount can make all the difference.
Maybe she just needs to take it slower.
Still, it is possible to be or become allergic to any food. If she has GMO foods in her diet, this is more likely. (GMO = genetically modified organism). Even if she consumes meat from animals fed a GMO diet, this can affect her gut and cause all kinds of food allergies.
I just saw this in a sneak peek of a film and will be back with that link. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- How GMO foods (& animals that were fed GMO) can cause allergies to even common vegetables (and that could include any spice such as turmeric - in the Enhansa - even if it's a very good source, the allergy would be to the actual plant) . . .
Excitotoxins; MSG; Aspartame; & "Natural" Flavors -
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
Enhansa is the only pure Curcumin I've seen on the market that's why it's so expensive. It's meant to be ramped up as I hope your Dr. told you. It's allergy free, but unlike other curcumin supps, it's metal free.
Did you start with the 150's or 600's? You can absolutely herx from it.
I had a similar reaction on it at first and it went away. But definitely make sure she's not allergic to the herb itself.
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
I've taken Enhansa powder, and spoken with Lee Silsby about it. All it is, is curcumin, extracted from turmeric. Nothing more. I am not familiar with the capsules.
The idea from herxing from curcumin sounds a little strange, I guess anything is possible, but perhaps allergy is a better guess.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- While allergy always has to be considered, after seeing that this is such a good product, my guess is that the dose was just too much.
If she has any gallbladder stress, curcumin is best avoided as it can be too strong and turmeric is then preferred as it's less strong.
That's where the powder would be easier than capsules (which should not be opened), though, so dose could be taken way down with the powder.
When the liver, gallbladder &/or kidneys are stressed, it can show up as skin rashes.
As for the ear swelling, that can also be related to the total toxic load and liver / gallbladder stress sort of "backing up" to the ears (so to speak).
The herb, STINGING NETTLE may serve to compensate for the reaction by calming the the cytokine storm that is often part of a herx reaction.
. . . Nettle leaf extracts reduce inflammation, in part, by suppressing the release of inflammatory cytokines.
They do this by blocking a chemical inducer known as NF-KappaB, which alters gene expresion. This may be one explanation for the beneficial efffects this herb has exhibited in rheumatoid arthritis (Riehemann et al., 1999). . . .
. . . its ability to slow down the inflammatory cytokine response caused by endotoxins. . . .
Each Capsule Contains: Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf, wildcrafted and 100% fresh freeze-dried, 300 mg. -
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
Keebler has shared some great information (as always )
My Dr warned us to start out very slowly. I bought the powdered kind and encapsulated it myself so I could start out at a much lower dose and work up.
I have heard it can cause quite a herx. Did you get it from your Dr? Could you call him/her and tell them about her symptoms?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Piperine? (a black pepper extract)
I've seen this in various turmeric/curcumin products. I've never been able to tolerate those with piperine but do fine without it.
Now, piperine can be fabulous and really helps improve the action of many herbs and medicines. It's just that, maybe your daughter might be reacting to that?
I can't seem to figure this out from the direct website and I have to stop now. But, check your bottle's label to be sure to determine if Enhansa contains Piperine. More than one web poster mentions this (I see from a cross search).
If so, that could be causing a histamine response (rash, clogged ears).
Just one hint that your bottle may also contain piperine:
[a discussion board with a mother speaking to her child's experiences with two different turmeric/curcumin formulas]
Curcumin and Enhansa vs. Longvida - April 2011
Excerpt:
. . . "Unlike Enhansa, [Longvida] does not use the black pepper extract piperine to increase bio-availability. . . ." (end quote). -------------------------------------------
The thing is that the other product the poster above describes contains lecithin (and that can be from soy and sometime GMO, so, more questions). -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- The sample protocol here may serve as a barometer, just in case your instructions may be far off from this.
Usually, those with lyme need to start at about 1/4 of what's suggested for others and work up more slowly.
. . . Enhansa Has Been Shown to be 7 - 8 More Absorbed Than Standard Curcumin Extracts . . .
Sample Protocol
First Week:
Start with 150mg. of Enhansa in the morning, using either a 150mg. strength Enhansa capsule or two level, small white scoops of Enhansa powder. The Enhansa powder can be mixed with drink or food.
Second Week:
Increase the dose to 300mg. per day, in two divided doses. Breakfast and dinner are good times to take the two daily doses.
Third Week:
Increase the dose to 450mg. per day, in two divided doses. For example, take 300mg. with breakfast and 150mg. with dinner.
Fourth Week:
Increase the dose to 600mg. per day, in two divided doses. For example, take 300mg. with breakfast and 300mg. with dinner. -
Posted by Deb133 (Member # 18544) on :
Thank you everybody! Keebler as always you are a wealth of knowledge and compassion. A true gem!
Yes this is a script from her LLMD. Yes she is ramping up slowly. One 600 mg per day for the first week. We are going to have her ramp up even slower going every other day. Her redness around her hairline and behind her ear is much much better and her ears are less clogged.
All in all she feels better than she did yesterday.
This is supposed to help with inflammation, brain fog, yeast just to name a few. I can't find a whole lot of people who take it and thats why I was curious as to how they were doing on it.
Thanks again for all the responses.
Debg
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
4 of 5 infected people in my family are now taking Enhansa, prescribed by our 2 different docs. I spoke with the doc who helped compound the formula for his autistic patients. He is now treating Lyme patients, also.
We all started slow and ramped up. I have less ear ringing now and my eyes finally are less blurry after years of inflammation.
My 6 year old nephew takes it in the powder form.
For all the money we spend on it, I hope it is helping!
Good luck!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I decided to try Enhansa because several people here seem to have benefited from this specific brand. I purchased a large bottle of the 600mg dosage and started right away on my normal twice daily dose.
Unfortunately, this supplement is not working nearly as well as my previous curcumin supplement. I've given it several weeks and my inflammation keeps getting worse. Thankfully this bottle is almost empty.
I will be switching back to Longvida Curcumin. It is much more effective for me. And cheaper!!!
Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :
I don't feel anything either Sammy. What are we supposed to feel?
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