posted
Riddle me this, Batman...if you aren't supposed to take vitamins/minerals/antacids/probiotics within two hours of abx, how do you take them all? I have to take something for my reflux an hour before I eat plus some vitamins and probiotics 2-3 times a day. When in the world am I supposed to fit them in if I also take abx twice a day? Do you guys load up on the vitamins/supplements/probiotics/etc all at once (i.e. in the morning) and then take your abx at lunch and dinner? Let's get serious, I work and can't be running around every two hours taking vitamins or probiotics! Any suggestions?
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
hello vachick,
my llmd gave me a form saying that some people..take the first dose with breakfast....then at lunch take the probiotic and vitamins.....then at dinner the 2nd dose and before bed or 2 hours after the 2nd dose the final probiotics of the day.
Ive done this and its not so difficult, i think you can still do it while working....and no need to bring the abx to work with you either doing it this way...if you work an 8-5 job.
Hope it helps!
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
If there are some vitamins that you take more than once a day (i.e. milk thistle, magnesium, B12, etc), can you just take them all at once during lunch? Or does your body excrete the excess and you are wasting good vitamins? I used to take vitamins twice a day and I can't figure out if now I have to double up on my dose once a day... I am such an amateur. ugh.
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
valymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7076
posted
I do exactly what cantgiveupyet suggests.
Before bed I take the second dose of some vitamins with others.
There are going to be some days, though, when the routine is changed because of life's curves.
Posts: 1240 | From Centreville,VA | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
My dr said I could take my vitamins with my abx. Has anyone been told differently by their dr? I know the probotics have to be taken separetly.
Posts: 69 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
Yes. It gets really difficult. I haven't figured it out myself. My vitamins give me extra energy and make me have to urinate more so taking them before bed isn't so great for me.
I can't take abx before bed cause they give me heartburn when I lie down. Such a quandry.
I've created spreadsheets in the past and that worked pretty well. The only problem is, whenever you get a new protocol, you have to redesign your spreadsheet. I haven't done that with my current protocol yet.
Some things need to be taken on an empty stomach. Some things need to be taken before meals. Some things need to be taken with meals. It's all so frustrating.
To answer Nancy's question: Some abx shouldn't be taken with Magnesium, some not with Calcium and some not with antacids. You've got to read the sheet they give you with the meds to find that stuff out.
So, my answer to your question is: As best I can.
I definitely take all my vitamins together with my probiotics. I try to do that twice a day. I haven't had much problem with yeast so I don't take a third dose of probiotics.
When I have antibiotics to take 2 x's a day, I take 1 with lunch and 1 at about 9pm with a snack. I go to bed at 11. That leaves me mornings and afternoons for vitamins.
Put Mepron (taken with fatty food) or tetracycline (taken 3-4 x's a day) in to the mix and it's a whole different story.
I also have antibiotic nasal spray that I'm supposed to use 4 times a day. Should I do it before or after I shower? Before or after walking the dogs in the cold (where my nose will run)? Before or after whatever!?
So, you're not the only one perplexed by this problem. I hope that makes you feel a bit better. Sorry for rambling.
Corgilla
-------------------- "I'll never forget good old Whatsisname." Posts: 694 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yes...that is what I'm talking about! I need some kind of spreadsheet. I can't take the abx before bed due to my GERD...and probably shouldn't take the vitamins too close to lying down either. aaargh. Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm going to set up my spreadsheet right now. I guess I'm just gonna have to excuse myself from meetings at work to take pills of some sort. It must become habit after a while of juggling all of this!
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Pretty much dido on cantgiveup's med vitamin routine.
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Get yourself a nice little pillbox to pack for during the day - Vitamin Shoppe makes one that's quite portable that has five sections in it.
Pack your vitamins up and divide into the little box. Keep it next to you all day (like I do) and always keeps a bottle of water handy. My daytime pill dosing includes 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm. (I also take vits at bedtime).
Here's what I did when on abx (except I'm off abx, just on Cat's Claw, which requires an empty stomach):
Take acidophillus when you get up, wait an hour, then take your abx, then wait an hour and eat and take some stuff that requires food.
Around 11am, take more magnesium.
After you eat lunch, take more vitamins (and magnesium).
At 3 pm, take your acidophillus. At 4, more Magnesium.
If your abx dosing requires empty stomach, take your next dose around 5. (should give you an hour with empty stomach between leaving work and dinner).
After dinner, take more of your vitamins.
An hour before bedtime, take more magnesium.
At bedtime, take your acidophillus again.
I don't know when I would fit in Prilosec... (and wonder if you really have a yeast problem, which causes GERD).
You'll figure it out, just takes some time.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
I hear you on this one. I actually went on our computer using the excel software program and did a time schedule chart for my son's daily vit/meds etc.... We have this weekly chart sitting next to all his stuff. He check it off as the day goes. This way we keep track of what he took for the day, plus "helps us remember". We move or arranged things around when something seem to not work at a certain time. It has helped. Just an idea.
Keeping the faith,
Mom
Posts: 12 | From Fremont, Wisconsin | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
You guys rock! What great ideas. I thought I was going bananas and I know I didn't want to stop taking my vitamins. I will develop the spreadsheet and use a lot of your suggestions on timing to get my plan together!! Thanks a million!
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
When I start new meds I figure out what my schedule will be.
I have a pill organizer that is a tray with 7 lift out containers, one for each day of the week. Each day has 4 compartments. When I travel I just lift out the days I'll be away and pack them for my trip. I always bring several extra days in case of travel delays.
I fill the whole organizer once a week. I also put several days worth of each of my meds into a smaller pill organizer I always have with me. I refill this little organizer a few times each week. When I leave the house I always check to make sure I have my keys, I check for the pills too.
This way I don't need to get home to keep up my med schedule.
Using this system, I have not missed a single dose of abx in 16 months.
hatsnscarfs
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hats, Where did you find a pill organizer that had 7 days and 4 compartments for each day? That sounds SWEET! That is exactly what I am looking for.
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
Same thing we did.....otherwise hubby would have gone nuts wondering which pill to take when.
He found a little plastic mini tackle box type thing that we use. I just drop the info into a spreadsheet....with vitamin/anitibiotic name, etc. With little notes like "with food"...after lunch, drink lots of water, etc.
Then I just print out the page, we cut it out and tape over the appropriate dividers .....has worked great for us......and very easy to change.
Good luck!
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Those are all excellent suggestions! I am on a mission to find the pill boxes and start the spreadsheet. Thanks a million!!
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I take my first dose of antibiotics on the morning (it is ok to take them together right?) I then take my vitamins at lunch, and my second dose of antibiotics at dinner. Seems to work so far.
Posts: 11 | From Florida | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
It wasn't so bad when I took antibiotics 2x a day. Then I took the probiotics and vitamins at lunch.
But now........... I think I need a spreadsheet!! Good idea.
Rx 3x a day and vitamins and herbs 3x a day. Plus I take my sythroid first thing. So now I'll be taking something 7x a day.
It's a bit much.
I've got to get it back down to 3x. 4x a day would be do-able also.
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
I know Heather......it's tough.
Hubby is having a herx and the LLMD said to take a week off from Zith. I just told him today to take a break, not take anything. Let his body rest. He just looked relieved..
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
vachick, CVS has a good selection of 7-day pill boxes. I have 6 labeled pill boxes going for my daughter -AM, Breakfast, Mid-day, Dinner, PM, Bed. And then, there are the liquids and refrigerated meds! A daunting task! I make a schedule, fax it to her LLMD for approval on timing, etc. I recently relized that it might be valuable to keep a print copy of old med schedule before I revise it when we make treatment changes. This way, I can keep up with the treatment history. Of course, we have been at this for 3 years. Also, see if your doctor can order absinthium from Marco pharma International for the GERD. I'm sure others know of good products as well. My daughter's gastric system was so bad that much of her oral treatment was probably useless. She was on Nexium or similar things for probably 4 years. Her LLMD put her on the absinthium, among many others, to repair her system. But the absinthium may be all you need at this point. Long-term proton pump inhibitors eventually alter the acid balance to your detriment. Keeping your gastric system healthy is essential!
Posts: 422 | From Herndon, Virginia | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Lyme Out, I have terrible GERD. Nexium did not touch it. I will definitely try your suggestion. The only thing I take now is Licorice Root which is supposed to soothe the lining of your esophagus and stomach. I know that low acid is a problem as much as high acid is so I was thinking that maybe the medicine was causing me to have too low acid and my food wasn't being digested properly.
The docs can't figure out what is wrong...my gallbladder is a bit sluggish but I have no stones. They want to take it out but gave me a 50/50 chance of feeling better. Anyone care to take those odds?? Maybe Lyme is messing with my gall bladder?
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I wouldn't take a maybe on that gallbladder without trying other things! My daughter had terrible gastric problems - GERD, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and constipation alternating. Nexium was no longer working for her either.And she had every test known to man, including motility tests. She is off nexium and on a boat load of pills and liquids now. A pain in the neck, but oh, so worth it! NO gastric probs now at all! They also keep her spleen, kidneys, colon liver drained and detoxed. There is one for spleen as well! That might help the sluggishness. If your doctor wants more information, there is a website -just google marco pharma. Also, I have fact sheets on each thing. If you are interested, PM me. They only sell to doctors.
Posts: 422 | From Herndon, Virginia | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[bonk]](graemlins/bonk.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic